ITV studios infiltrated by intruder days before Holly Willoughby kidnap plot
A man breached ITV security and infiltrated the This Morning studios just days before an alleged kidnap plot against Holly Willoughby.
On Thursday September 28, the cunning intruder managed to follow a young female employee into the lifts at the This Morning Studios in White City, West London.
It was at 5.50am when the ITV employee yelled for help, terrified upon realising she was trapped in the lift with the intruder.
READ MORE: Holly Willoughby on 'indefinite leave' from This Morning after alleged kidnap plot
The trespasser had managed to gain access to right outside the This Morning office, ten minutes before Susanna Reid was due to begin hosting Good Morning Britain.
Holly Willoughby and Lorraine Kelly were expected to arrive soon after but This Morning security were quick to respond.
A source recounted: “A man snuck into the studios by following a junior female member of ITV staff into the lift, which took him right down to outside the This Morning offices.
"She was shaken and security escorted the man out."
Police were then alerted, and staff were reminded via email of their requirement to wear ID passes at all times and an internal probe is being carried out, looking into the breach.
The source added, “Clearly, what happened to Holly has also added to the sense of fear and distress among everyone at ITV.”
Holly is expected to take 'indefinite leave' from This Morning after the alleged kidnap plot.
Gavin Plumb, 36, appeared in the dock at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday (October 6) accused of soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap. Plumb only to confirm his name and address before district judge Caroline Jackson. He was remanded in custody and will appear before the city's crown court on November 3.
ITV spoke on the intrusion, commenting, "The isolated incident was swiftly dealt with by security.
“The safety of colleagues, on and off-screen, is always of the utmost importance and we have robust security measures in place. No ITV daytime show was on air.”
BBC StudioWorks, the television studio provider, made their own comments, emphasising the importance of identification passes.
A spokesperson said, "We’re aware of the incident on 28th September involving a member of the public entering our facility at Television Centre.
"This was an isolated event which our Television Centre security personnel acted swiftly and efficiently to resolve.
“At BBC Studioworks the safety and well-being of our staff and visitors is our top priority.
“At Television Centre, we maintain a stringent security protocol, and both visitors and staff are consistently expected to wear identification passes and adhere to our health and safety requirements.
"These measures are in place to ensure the safety and security of everyone on our premises.
“In response to this incident, we have conducted a comprehensive investigation and taken concrete steps to prevent a recurrence.”
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