WATER NIGHTMARE
Holly Willoughby’s new show Bear Hunt ‘nearly KILLED celeb after star got stuck underwater and passed out’
One celeb nearly quit after complaining about Holly's 'special treatment'
HOLLY Willoughby and Bear Grylls' new Netflix survival show was thrown into chaos after a celebrity star nearly drowned.
The big budget Bear Hunt series will see survivalist Grylls track down famous faces in the Costa Rican jungle.
5
5
5
It's the challenge of a lifetime for the celebs, but interior designer Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, 59, almost paid the ultimate price during a challenge that saw him leap from a boat into water.
The Changing Rooms legend became tangled in a bungee cord that nearly cost him his life as he battled to free himself before passing out.
A source told the Mail: "Laurence was very shaken as was everyone. He said that he thought he was a goner.
"It was a very serious situation and at the time we thought that maybe Netflix wouldn’t show what happened because it was that bad, but now it looks as if it will be in the programme.
READ MORE ON HOLLY WILLOUGHBY
"Netflix were very very apologetic about it afterwards."
There was big drama behind the scenes as well as during filming.
We revealed how rugby ace Danny Cipriani came close to throwing in the towel over the "special treatment" he believed host Holly was receiving.
A source said: "After working so hard to ditch his bad boy rep, Danny had been wary of signing up to a reality TV show - but this opportunity felt different.
Most read in News TV
"He’s a big fan of Bear Grylls and couldn’t wait to get out to Costa Rica, live in the wild and learn survival skills from the man himself.
"Danny seemed to think host Holly was getting special treatment and every decision was being made around her comfort.
Holly Willoughby renovating new £8m mansion after moving out of £3m London home following kidnap & murder plot
"That’s to be expected for a host - after all, they have to film when she’s available and she’s the star of the show - but it really didn’t sit right with Danny – he’s been pretty open about his spiritual journey as of late and he’s all about things being fair and equal."
They added: "Danny was adamant he was going to leave and even packed his bags, giving producers no option but to step in.
"They persuaded him to stay but it really ruined the rest of his time on the show.
"He made a couple of new friendships but it’s safe to say Danny has ruled out reality TV for good – he was relieved when it was over and couldn’t wait to get back to LA."
Netflix was approached for comment.
The show will premiere on February 5 and aims to test the celebs' wills to survive in a daring game of cat and mouse.
Read More on The Sun
Among the stellar line-up is Strictly's Shirley Ballas, Spice Girl Mel B and tennis legend Boris Becker.
There was said to be lots of tension off camera as the agitated personalities clashed so much that bosses were forced to step in.
5
5
Celebrity Bear Hunt 2025 line-up
- Spice Girl Mel B
- TV Presenter and Journalist Steph McGovern
- TV Chef and Grime MC Big Zuu
- Rugby hunk Danny Cipriani
- The Saturdays star Una Healy
- Model Lottie Moss
- Interior Designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
- The Inbetweeners actor Joe Thomas
- Model Leomie Anderson
- Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas
- Actor Kola Bikinni
- Former tennis player Boris Becker
Topics