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Man Had ‘Real Intention’ To Kidnap, Rape And Murder Holly Willoughby, Court Hears

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This article contains discussions of violence and sexual assault.

A man plotted to kidnap, rape and murder TV personality Holly Willoughby, a court has heard.

In October 2023, it was first reported by The Sun that the former This Morning host was “under police guard” after “sinister” messages were found on a man’s phone reportedly threatening to “seriously harm” the daytime TV presenter.

He was later charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap, with the trial getting underway on Monday at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Prosecution Alison Morgan KC said that Gavin Plumb, a security guard from Harlow in Essex, had a serious and “real intention” to kidnap the daytime star from her home and take her to “a location where she would be raped repeatedly”, before murdering her.

Plumb has denied accusations of soliciting murder, inciting kidnap and inciting rape made against him.

“It was not just the ramblings of a fantasist; the defendant had carefully planned what he would do,” Morgan said.

The prosecution added that Plumb’s alleged plans only came to light after he shared them with an undercover police officer based in the US, with whom he’d been speaking online.

Morgan told the court: “The defendant explained his plans to kidnap, rape and murder the celebrity Holly Willoughby. The defendant set out his plans and sought to encourage the other person to commit those offences with him.

“The defendant’s plans as to what he would do to Holly Willoughby were graphic and were obviously sexually motivated. They were real to him, members of the jury, and were based on an obsession with Holly Willoughby that had developed over a number of years.”

Holly Willoughby at the National Television Awards in September 2023
Holly Willoughby at the National Television Awards in September 2023

Joe Maher via Getty Images

“What the defendant did not know then, was that the person that he was communicating with online was an undercover police officer based in the USA and not, in fact, a like-minded abductor,” she added.

“The defendant’s planning of the offences was then interrupted and he was arrested by the police.”

Plumb apparently described his plan as his “ultimate fantasy”, claiming: “I’m now at the point that fantasy isn’t enough anymore. I want the real thing.”

BBC News has reported that the trial is expected to continue for the next two weeks.

When details of the kidnap plot were first made public, it was reported that Holly was “under police guard at her home”.

She subsequently made the decision to step down from This Morning after 14 years at the helm, and took an extended break from the media spotlight.

Willoughby made her return to TV in January when she and new co-host Stephen Mulhern presented the latest series of Dancing On Ice.

Help and support:

  • Rape Crisis services for women and girls who have been raped or have experienced sexual violence – 0808 802 9999
  • Survivors UK offers support for men and boys – 0203 598 3898
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There’s Been An Intriguing Update From Liam Gallagher Amid Fresh Oasis Reunion Claims

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Liam Gallagher has spoken out amid rumours that he and his brother Noel had recently been planning an Oasis reunion.

The Gallagher brothers were part of Oasis for 18 years before they ultimately went their separate ways in 2009 , and have been embroiled in a very public feud ever since.

In the years that followed, there’ve been repeated calls for Oasis to reform in some capacity, with The Mirror reporting over the weekend that Liam and Noel had even quietly set dates aside this year to perform at Wembley Stadium, which would have taken place in July.

However, the tabloid cited an undisclosed “source” who claimed these plans “collapsed” when Noel decided not to be involved and the booked dates were then cancelled.

Noel and Liam Gallagher pictured in 2005
Noel and Liam Gallagher pictured in 2005

Brian Rasic via Getty Images

On Sunday morning, one fan asked Liam on X if an Oasis reunion was “actually happening”, to which he responded: “Nobody’s told me, maybe [they’re] getting a new singer like the dude out of Queen.”

The following day, another fan asked Liam more directly about the rumours of three nights at Wembley.

“What you asking me for? I know nothing,” Liam wrote back.

Back in February, Liam told Mojo magazine that an offer had been put “on the table” for Oasis to get back together, but Noel wasn’t interested.

“Noel? He ain’t fucking doing it,” he said. “We put an offer on the table for an Oasis thing, because we got offered it – he said no. It was a big tour, a lot of money.”

Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher

Alex Livesey – Danehouse via Getty Images

When Liam claimed around this time that his “greedy” brother had turned down £100 million to reunite, Noel made a rare comment on X, insisting: “I am not aware of any offer from anybody for any amount of money to reform the legendary Mancunian Rock’n’Roll group Oasis.”

“I am fully aware though that someone has a single to promote so that’s maybe where the confusion lies,” he also quipped.

Liam is currently in the middle of an arena tour, performing Oasis’ seminal Definitely Maybe album in full to commemorate its 30th anniversary.

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Kevin Costner Claims Princess Diana ‘Fancied’ Him, And Would Have Starred In Bodyguard Sequel

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Kevin Costner never got to act alongside Princess Diana in a planned sequel to The Bodyguard, but he nonetheless has fond memories of his brief professional encounter with the late British royal.

In a wide-ranging interview on The Howard Stern Show this week, Kevin recalled approaching Diana about a potential role in a followup to the 1992 romantic drama, in which he’d starred opposite Whitney Houston.

He also credited Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, with connecting them sometime around 1996.

The project was shelved shelved in the wake of Diana’s death in a car crash in 1997, at the age of 36.

“I never made that movie because I could not replace Princess Di,” Kevin explained.

As for plot specifics, the movie would’ve taken place at least partly in Hong Kong and, in a case of art imitating life, would’ve depicted Diana’s break from the British royal family.

Watch Kevin Costner discuss Princess Diana and The Bodyguard below:

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At some point in their discussions, Diana – who would’ve been making her screen acting debut in the film – made a very specific request, Kevin recalled.

“She said, ‘Is there going to be a kissing scene?’ And I said, ‘Do you want there to be one?’ And she said, ‘Yeah,’” he claimed. “And I said, ‘Then we’ll do that.’”

The original Bodyguard follows actor and singer Rachel Marron (played by Whitney), who hires a former Secret Service agent, Frank Farmer (Costner), after receiving death threats from an unknown stalker.

At first, the straight-laced Frank has no patience for Rachel’s diva antics. But the pair eventually fall in love ― and their budding romance puts both of their lives in danger.

The Bodyguard soundtrack featured Whitney’s stirring remake of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You, as well as the hits I Have Nothing and I’m Every Woman. It remains the bestselling movie album of all time.

Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner at the Los Angeles premiere of The Bodyguard in 1992.
Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner at the Los Angeles premiere of The Bodyguard in 1992.

Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images

It’s unclear whether Diana would’ve been playing the film’s romantic lead, as Whitney did in the original. In his chat with Howard Stern, Kevin alluded to an unnamed Asian actor who was being considered as a love interest for his character.

Elsewhere in the interview, Kevin also opened up about an encounter he’d had with Prince William years later.

“He looked at me and he said, ‘My mum fancied you,’” he said. “It was the sweetest, gentlest thing.”

Kevin first opened up about his long-defunct Bodyguard sequel plans in a 2012 chat with Anderson Cooper. The Howard Stern interview, however, appears to be the first time he’s shared much about the plot ― as well as his potential co-star’s alleged crush.

Though the Bodyguard sequel never saw the light of day, plans for a remake of the original film were announced in 2021. Matthew López, who made his directorial debut last year with the gay romantic comedy Red, White & Royal Blue, is attached to write the screenplay, with Cardi B previously tipped for the main role.

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