Holly Willoughby has paused a £1 million deal with Marks & Spencer because she remains fearful for her safety following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.
The star, who has fronted collections for the high-street chain since 2018, told bosses that she needs to take time out from the contract while she comes to terms with her terror over the case, which prompted an end to her stint as the host of This Morning.
Ms Willoughby, 42, usually fronts several ‘capsule’ collections per year and also offers fashion tips to shoppers on the store’s website.
But she has put off doing any further work with the company since shopping centre security officer Gavin Plumb was arrested and charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap – which he denies.
She would usually have been involved in a Christmas campaign but the trauma she is said to have been suffering has left her unable to consider such work.
Holly Willoughby has paused a £1 million deal with Marks & Spencer because she remains fearful for her safety following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her
She would usually have been involved in a Christmas campaign but the trauma she is said to have been suffering has left her unable to consider such work
She has also frozen her seven-figure deal with L’Oreal, where she is the face of its Garnier Nutrisse hair dye. She has not taken part in any promotional activity with them either.
It is not known whether she has forgone any income from the contracts.
A source close to the star said: ‘Holly is still absolutely traumatised and her priority is her family right now.
‘She decided to take time away from the limelight for a while and just concentrate on dealing with the situation. It has been very sad for her and everyone around her and she is dealing with it in the best way she can.
‘So with that in mind, she just wants time with her family to heal.
‘Everyone she has been working with has been so understanding and kind while she deals with all of this. Holly absolutely loves both Marks & Spencer and L’Oreal; they are brands that are very close to her heart.’
In October 2022, Ms Willoughby signed a new two-year deal with Marks & Spencer. Her most recent collection was launched in September – just weeks before Plumb was arrested.
Her longstanding L’Oreal deal runs into 2024, company sources said.
Meanwhile, the mother-of-three is yet to decide whether she will host ITV’s skating show Dancing On Ice when it returns next month.
Last month, Plumb pleaded not guilty to charges relating to an alleged plot to kidnap and murder Ms Willoughby
She was expected to anchor it alongside a new male star after Phillip Schofield quit the channel because of his affair with a much younger This Morning colleague.
ITV has given her ‘as long as she likes’ to make her mind up, though with the launch just weeks away, she is under pressure. ‘What happened has shaken Holly to the absolute core,’ a source said.
‘She absolutely loves ITV and part of her of course wants to get back to work, but it has been an extremely difficult time.’
Stephen Mulhern is expected to replace Schofield on Dancing On Ice, either hosting alone or alongside Ms Willoughby.
Last month, Plumb pleaded not guilty to charges relating to an alleged plot to kidnap and murder Ms Willoughby.
He is accused of planning to assemble a ‘kidnap and restraint kit’ and encouraging a third party to travel to the UK to carry out the alleged offences.
He remains in custody and will go on trial in June.
