Phillip Schofield is said to be back in touch with former This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby having offered her his support following reports that she was the planned target of a kidnap and murder plot.
Schofield and Willoughby were once best friends but had not spoken for five months after he sensationally quit the ITV daytime show after admitting to having had an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague which he lied about.
Last week security guard Gavin Plumb, from Harlow in Essex, appeared in court on Friday charged with soliciting to commit murder. The 36-year-old is also accused of incitement to commit kidnap in relation to Willoughby, 42.
Willoughby, who has three young children with TV producer Dan Baldwin, is now receiving 24-hour police protection at her London home. She is currently on indefinite leave from This Morning.
“Holly and Phil’s friendship was so close before the events of this year,” a source told the Daily Mirror.
“Phil’s decision to reach out, and the welcome it has been received with by Holly, shows that there is still a bond there.”
Another source said: “Phil was absolutely horrified to hear she had been allegedly targeted in such a sickening way and decided to reach out to her, in spite of their lack of contact.
“He wanted her to know he was thinking of her and her family. They’ve so much history, and this is something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy,”
