Holly Willoughby’s This Morning co-stars rallied behind her as she announced she was leaving the ITV show with immediate effect.
The TV star, 42, confirmed on Instagram on Tuesday that she ‘will not be returning’ to the show, days after an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her was foiled.
She said she was “honored to be just a part of his story” but felt “I have to make this decision for myself and my family.”
Holly’s Instagram post was flooded with supportive comments from her This Morning co-stars.
Alison Hammond, who has presented alongside Holly since Philip Schofield left the post earlier this year, said “it’s a very sad day” but reiterated her liking for the presenter.
‘Sad day’: Holly Willoughby’s This Morning co-stars rallied behind her as she announced she was leaving the ITV show with immediate effect
Another presenter Rochelle Humes wrote: ‘It’s a sad day ❤ We love you k’
Regular contributor Vanessa Feltz added: “We will miss you so much my dear.”
Juliet Cyr, the TV chef and baking expert, posted that she was “sad” to see Holly go, but also wished her “lots of positive things” in her “new chapter”.
“It has been wonderful working with you for the past 8 years and making birthday cakes for the past 14,” Ms Cyr wrote. ‘Lots of love to you and your family.’
Another of the show’s chefs Clodagh Mckenna posted: ‘Your star will continue to shine wherever you go ⭐ You have given us all so much love and light, in front of and behind the camera ♥ I am so grateful for everything you have given me… so much I love dear beautiful Holi, the sun of our days ♥♥’
Holly, admitting that leaving was “such a hard goodbye”, thanked the network for their “support”.
She also expressed her gratitude to the ‘wonderful viewers’ who she says have been ‘loyal, so supportive and the best company’ over the years.
Her exit from the show comes after the former Pizza Hut executive was remanded in custody last week on charges of allegedly plotting to kidnap and kill Holly.
News: The TV star, 42, confirmed on Instagram on Tuesday that she ‘will not be returning’ to the show, days after an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her was thwarted
Shocking announcement: Holly’s Instagram post was flooded with supportive comments from her This Morning co-stars
Messages: Alison Hammond, who has been presenting alongside Holly since Philip Schofield stepped down earlier this year, said ‘it’s a very sad day’
Tribute: One of the show’s chefs Clodagh McKenna posted: “Your star will continue to shine wherever you go”
Friends: Holly’s friends and colleagues flooded her comments with words of support
Gavin Plumb, 36, from Harlow, Essex, has been charged with offenses including solicitation to murder and incitement to kidnap in connection with the broadcaster, allegedly contact the killer in the US and book his flights.
The TV presenter stepped down from This Morning on Thursday and her London home was reportedly guarded by police after Plumb was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of plotting to kidnap.
Holly’s full statement today read: “Today I have informed ITV that after 14 years I will not be returning to This Morning.
“To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so much. This is such a hard goodbye, you are amazing and I will forever be proud of what we did together.
“Thank you to everyone at ITV for your support. Thank you to every guest who sat on our sofa. Most of all thanks to the wonderful viewers. You were so loyal, so supportive and the best company every day.
“Richard and Judy said to only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers.” It was an honor just to be a part of her story and I know there are many more chapters to this story. Unfortunately, I now feel I have to make this decision for myself and my family.
Family: The star’s sister Kelly has sent her message, telling her sibling she loves them
‘I will miss you all so much.’
The ITV boss said the broadcaster was looking forward to working with Holly ‘in the future’ following the news that she had quit this morning.
In a statement, Kevin Ligo, managing director of media and entertainment at ITV, told MailOnline: ‘We are saddened to see Holly leave this morning, but respect her decision which we know will be extremely difficult for her to make.
“Holly is one of the UK’s most loved, respected and successful broadcasters. She has been at the heart of This Morning for 14 years and is adored by our viewers.’