This Morning's Holly Willoughby on 'indefinite leave' from the show

Holly Willoughby will go on an 'indefinite leave' from This Morning, it has been announced.

The 42-year-old presenter will be absent from the show after learning about an alleged plot to kidnap her.

The mum-of-three is said to be ‘distraught’ by the sinister plot and has since been put under surveillance by police to keep her and her family safe.

Officers have been stationed outside her London home which she shares with her three children and husband Dan Baldwin.

This Morning’s channel ITV is also understood to be providing Holly and her family with security and support during this time.

On Thursday (5 October) Holly pulled out of presenting This Morning after learning of the kidnapping plot and Alison Hammond was quickly recruited to help Josie Gibson present that day’s show.

Both former Big Brother contestants were praised by viewers for being the ‘dream team’ after they dealt with the last minute change like the ultimate pros they are.

Instagram/@hollywilloughby

Josie kicked off the show declaring: “Look who’s joined me. It’s only the one and only Alison Hammond!”

Alison said: “Oh, Josie! I hope you don’t mind, I got a bit jealous. I saw you talking about being blonde and I thought ‘I’m going to shake this up a bit. I’m getting in there’. Is that OK? You don’t mind?”

“No, of course not, I love you!” Josie replied, as Alison gushed: “I love you too.”

On Friday (6 October) Alison and her regular co-presenter, Dermot O’Leary, issued an emotional message to Holly after she was forced to pull out of This Morning due to a man threatening to 'kidnap and seriously harm' her.

Her ITV colleagues on Good Morning Britain confirmed the terrifying news on last Friday's programme, telling viewers that 'sinister messages' had reportedly been found on the man's phone.

ITV

Essex Police said that a man has been arrested in connection with the incident, saying that Holly's home - which she shares with husband Daniel Baldwin and their three children - was under police watch.

Kate Garraway told GMB viewers: “Holly Willoughby was forced to pull out from presenting This Morning yesterday after an alleged kidnapping plot was foiled by police.

“A 36-year-old man, who was not known to the star, was arrested on Wednesday evening.”

The 36-year-old man appeared in court on Friday after Essex Police searched his home earlier last week.

Chelmsford Magistrates Court heard on Friday that the man, from Harlow, Essex, had allegedly planned to kidnap and kill Holly.