37-year-old gets life in prison Man tried to kidnap, rape and kill British TV star

Holly Willoughby was the presenter of a morning show. Then it was discovered that a man was planning to kidnap her. Now the 37-year-old security guard has been sentenced.

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to kidnap and kill a British television presenter. The 37-year-old must serve at least 16 years in prison, according to the British news agency PA. He is said to have planned to kidnap, rape and murder presenter Holly Willoughby.

"There is no doubt that if you had found one or more accomplices (...) you would have put your plan into action," PA quoted the judge as saying. Willoughby has long hosted the TV program "This Morning" and hosts the show "Dancing on Ice".

"Women should not feel unsafe"

The case had had a serious impact on her life, the prosecution argued. Crimes of this nature, Willoughby said in a statement, have a far-reaching impact on women. "Women should not feel unsafe as they go about their daily lives."

The judge spoke of a sadistic and brutal plan. The perpetrator had been sexually obsessed with Willoughby for a long time. Part of his plan was to harm her children and her husband. He had previously been convicted of threatening sexualized violence against young women, for example.

Undercover investigator became aware of the case on the internet

Investigators became aware of the man after an undercover investigator from the USA was concerned about his posts in an online group and passed on information to the FBI. The US authorities then contacted the police in the UK. The man was arrested in the fall of 2023.