The Plot to Kill Holly Willoughby

‘I’m Not Gonna Lie’: What Gavin Plumb’s Words Reveal About His Intentions 

Date of publication on LinkedIn: 9th May 2025 @ 11.49am 

LinkedIn post link https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/plot-kill-holly-willoughby-sunil-chadda-k9rhe 

On the 1st May 2025, Channel 5 broadcast a gripping and disturbing documentary about Gavin Plumb—a man convicted of plotting to kidnap and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby. 

The programme chronicled the chilling timeline of events leading to his arrest and eventual sentencing to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 16 years. 

But beyond the facts of the case, it was the language used—particularly at the point of arrest—that offered revealing insights into Plumb’s mindset and psychological state.

Through the lens of Forensic Statement and Linguistic Analysis (FSLA), we can uncover subtle yet significant linguistic cues that point to internal knowledge, guilt, and evasion. 

The Arrest Footage: First Words Matter 

In the opening scene, we hear this exchange between the arresting officers and Plumb: 

Police Officer: So, at the moment, you are under arrest for conspiracy to kidnap. 

Gavin Plumb: Who? 

Police Officer: Holly Willoughby. That’s the allegation. 

Gavin Plumb: OK. Where’s that come from? I’m not gonna lie. She is a fantasy of mine. I mean, she’s a fantasy of a lot of guys, isn’t she? 

At first glance, this may appear to be a confused or dismissive response. 

Absence of Denial: What Isn't Said Speaks Volumes 

Innocent individuals almost instinctively deny serious allegations, especially those as grave and absurd sounding as kidnapping. In contrast, Plumb never says ‘I didn’t do it’ or ‘This is wrong’. 

Instead: 

• He responds with a question: “Who?” – This deflects. 

• He then follows with another question: “Where’s that come from?” – This signals a desire to assess what the police know before deciding how to respond. 

The absence of denial is a powerful Red Flag. When a denial is expected but not offered, it creates an unexpected linguistic behaviour that often suggests internal knowledge or guilt. 

The Strategy of Delay: Buying Time Through Questions 

By responding with questions rather than direct answers, Plumb is giving himself time to process and construct a defensive narrative. This tactic is common in deceptive statements. It allows the speaker to gauge how much the other party knows before deciding how much truth to reveal or withhold. 

‘I’m Not Gonna Lie’: The Language of Partial Disclosure 

Plumb says, ‘I’m not gonna lie. She is a fantasy of mine’. 

This phrase appears as a verbal bridge—acknowledging truth in one area (i.e. his fantasy) to divert attention from the main issue - the alleged criminal conspiracy. It also suggests preparation to disclose selectively, while still hiding deeper truths. 

Moreover, he adds: ‘She’s a fantasy of a lot of guys, isn’t she?’. This is a case of: 

• Crowdsourcing guilt – placing others in the same category to minimise personal responsibility. 

• Normalising deviance – attempting to make his obsession seem typical. 

The Psychology of ‘Leakage’ 

‘Leakage’ is when someone unintentionally reveals knowledge that they didn’t intend to share.  

Words, once spoken, often escape the control of the speaker, especially under pressure. The mention of Willoughby’s name triggers the word ‘fantasy’—not a neutral or defensive response, but one emotionally and sexually charged. 

This linguistic shift suggests a deep emotional fixation, not detachment, which becomes relevant when assessing intent in criminal profiling. 

Plumb’s case reminds us that Forensic Statement and Linguistic Analysis is no longer confined to police investigations or courtroom settings. Today, professionals working with high-risk individuals, from corporate security to UHNW advisors, need to be equipped with tools to detect deception and assess verbal risk indicators. 

Understanding how language works under stress—and what it reveals—can be the difference between threat detection and costly oversight. 

Conclusion 

Gavin Plumb’s brief conversation with police speaks volumes—not just for what was said, but for what was conspicuously missing. 

Using FSLA, we understand that: 

• Absence of denial is meaningful 

• Questioning can be a delay tactic 

• Language reflects psychological truth even when filtered 

Language analysis offers more than curiosity—it offers clarity. As this case shows, words don’t lie. People do. 

With the right tools, those words can be decoded to protect lives and reputations, and to ensure justice. 

Reference to written article: https://www.channel5.com/show/the-plot-to-kill-holly-willoughby 

Cover Photo: https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1ppTA1.img?w=1920&h=1008&m=4&q=88 

Photo Credit: msn.com 

All blog subjects are identified, validated and written by the DDL Team. See www.ddlltd.com for more on Deception Detection Lab Ltd.