Holly Willoughby’s new survival reality show, *Bear Hunt*, created in collaboration with renowned survivalist Bear Grylls,
has already faced intense drama behind the scenes before it even hits Netflix.
The show, which sees celebrities dropped into the rugged Costa Rican jungle to endure grueling survival challenges, almost turned deadly for one contestant,
and sparked a serious dispute between another star and the producers.
The show’s premise involves a group of celebrities undergoing extreme tests of endurance and survival, with Grylls overseeing the challenges, while Willoughby acts as the host.
One of the most shocking incidents occurred when interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, best known for his role on *Changing Rooms*, almost lost his life during one of the brutal challenges.
The 59-year-old celebrity was tasked with leaping from a boat into a body of water but quickly became tangled in a bungee cord, which caused him to struggle to free himself underwater. The incident escalated as Llewelyn-Bowen passed out after failing to extricate himself in time.
A source close to the production shared the terrifying details of the event, revealing that Llewelyn-Bowen was convinced he might not survive the ordeal. The source explained, “Laurence was shaken up, and he thought he was a goner. It was a very serious situation, and at the time, everyone feared it might be too dangerous to air. But it now looks like this intense moment will feature in the show itself.”
Following the near-drowning incident, Llewelyn-Bowen reportedly took time to recover, with producers offering their apologies for the traumatic event. Despite the scare, the celebrity continued to participate in the show, although it’s clear that the experience left a lasting impact on him. In fact, sources suggest that Netflix was quick to step in with a public apology after the dangerous situation unfolded.
In addition to the life-threatening mishap, the show also saw significant tension between another contestant and the production team. Rugby star Danny Cipriani, who had agreed to appear on *Bear Hunt* in hopes of learning survival skills from Bear Grylls, expressed frustration with what he believed to be special treatment for the show’s host, Holly Willoughby. Cipriani, who had been keen to shed his bad-boy image, became disillusioned with how things were managed on set, especially regarding Willoughby’s comfort and the show’s decision-making process.
A source close to Cipriani revealed, “Danny had been a little hesitant about joining the show, but he was a huge fan of Bear Grylls and was eager to experience the adventure. However, he quickly felt that too much of the focus was on Holly’s comfort, with every decision being made to suit her needs, and that didn’t sit well with him. He’s been very open about his desire for fairness and equality, and this just didn’t feel right.”
The tension led to Cipriani threatening to leave the show altogether. Reports suggest that he even packed his bags in frustration, but the producers stepped in to convince him to stay. Although he ultimately remained on set, Cipriani’s experience on *Bear Hunt* was reportedly soured by the conflict. “It really ruined the rest of his time on the show,” the source added. “He made a few new friendships but was ready to leave reality TV behind. He couldn’t wait to head back to LA once filming wrapped.”
Despite the on-set drama, the show is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on February 5, 2025, promising a thrilling blend of adventure and suspense. Celebrities like Cipriani, Llewelyn-Bowen, and others will endure physical and psychological challenges under the watchful eye of Bear Grylls, with the added twist of being hunted by the survivalist himself if they fail to impress.
*Bear Hunt* is expected to push its celebrity contestants to their limits, testing their resilience and survival instincts in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments. But with its dramatic behind-the-scenes moments, including near-death experiences and on-set conflicts, it’s clear that the show promises much more than just physical endurance. Willoughby and Grylls will have their hands full managing these larger-than-life personalities as the show unfolds.
The upcoming reality series is sure to captivate viewers with its intense challenges and high stakes, but it’s also raising questions about how the show’s behind-the-scenes drama will shape its public reception. With incidents like Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s near-drowning and Cipriani’s dissatisfaction, it’s clear that *Bear Hunt* is as unpredictable off-screen as it is on.
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