Holly Willoughby's big budget Netflix show Bear Hunt AXED – leaving her without a show on TV
It's been all change for ITV's former golden girl
NETFLIX'S big budget adventure series Bear Hunt has been axed after just one series, The Sun can reveal.
The show, set in Costa Rica, was fronted by Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby - and means Holly, 44, is currently without a primetime TV show for the first time in over 20 years.
Advertisement
6
Netflix's Celebrity Bear Hunt has been axed, The Sun can reveal
Credit: Netflix
6
A source told us everyone involved with the show was 'gutted'
Credit: Tom Dymond/Netflix
6
Holly, 44, fronted the series with Bear Grylls
Credit: Tom Dymond/Netflix
The decision not to recommission the heavily backed series comes following a series of last ditch production meetings where various cost-cutting measures were discussed.
Last night a source said: 'Everyone involved with Bear Hunt is absolutely gutted - they loved the format, and it actually hit its targets from the streaming side.
"But the overall cost of travel, insurance and, of course, securing big name talent proved too dear - it was completely untenable even after they looked at filming closer to home, and making more of a budget show.
'It is no slight on Holly or Bear either and execs are now trying to find another formula for them to showcase their talents.
Advertisement
"Naturally it's a real blow to Holly as it's the latest show to have time called, but she's a professional and knows that sometimes this is how it goes.
'She's got a number of other exciting projects in the pipeline; that's showbiz, after all.'
News of the show's termination comes just four months after it first aired.
It showed adventurer Bear hunting down 12 celebrities in the jungle including Boris Becker, Mel B, Shirley Ballas and Lottie Moss, whilst Holly, 44, presented it.
Advertisement
Fans were frustrated she was not given more air time and, according to reports, she therefore earned the equivalent of £40,000 per minute she was on air.
It has been a tricky few months for the star.
How ITV are losing grip on 'golden girl' Holly Willoughby as she eyes £10m TV megadeal and plans to follow TV legend
After she quit This Morning in October 2023 - following a horrific rape and kidnap threat - she took a three month break from telly to be with her family.
She bravely returned to ITV'S Dancing On Ice - a show she had hosted alongside former best pal Phillip Schofield, 63, since 2006 - last January.
Advertisement
But the once-popular skating showed was also given the axe earlier this year - which she latterly fronted alongside with Stephen Mulhern - whilst she quit You Bet, another show starring Stephen, 47, in March.
Recently, the mum of three also launched a huge sale on her lifestyle brand.
Could You Bet! be the full circle moment Holly Willoughby needs?
By Joshua Rom
When Holly Willoughby finally announced her departure from This Morning in October 2023 it felt almost like a crescendo. After her feud with Phillip Schofield, dealing with the revelation about his workplace relationship, months of speculation, a lacklustre return to the daytime show and a horrendous kidnap plot it seemed like her own departure was almost a relief.
She made her return to TV on Dancing On Ice, a show that first shot her to superstardom that she knew inside and out. This was combined with a long-standing colleague from her days in children's TV to serve as her co-host in the form of Stephen Mulhern. It was a safe and steady bet for the star that placed emphasis on the continuity of her career despite unprecedented challenges.
She was previously announced as one of the hosts for a new jungle challenge show for Netflix called Bear Hunt. The streamer reportedly spent £1million on a 'ring of steel' security detail made up of ex-special forces and former military guns to protect her against drug gangs and kidnappers. We are still yet to see this show but with contestants such as Mel B, Shirley Ballas and Steph McGovern it is sure to be a must-watch.
But You Bet! feels like a proper homecoming for the star as she returns to ITV with her first new format since she left This Morning. Her partnership with Stephen Mulhern will continue and the new show could cement them as the new golden hosting couple of the most popular commercial broadcaster. Huge names like Olly Murs and Harry Redknapp will only bolster their star power and viewers will surely love the on-screen reunion with her former colleague and BFF Alison Hammond. Plus, you cannot go wrong with a beloved TV game show format from the 90s. The BBC can attest to this with the success of Gladiators.
On paper, this news has all the qualities for a major success and maybe it will be the show to usher in a new era for Holly Willoughby.
The presenter is founder of wellbeing business Wylde Moon, established back in 2021, which encourages shoppers to "value reconnecting with yourself."
6
The costs of travel, insurance and talent were to blame
Credit: Tom Dymond/Netflix
Advertisement
6
Holly is now left without a prime time TV show
Credit: PA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Loose Women CANCELLED as ITV panel bid farewell to viewers ahead of schedule shake-up set to leave fans livid
Friday's instalment of Loose Women has been cancelled in a schedule shake-up. Kaye Adams, 62, revealed the news at the end of Thursday's episode of the ITV show. Loose Women usually airs Monday to Friday from 12:30pm on ITV1. But at 1pm tomorrow (6 June 2025), ITV will air the racing, so viewers will enjoy the first Derby meeting from Epsom. After Kaye's co-stars Frankie Bridge, 36, Nadia Sawalha, 60, and Kelly Brook, 45, showed viewers how they sleep at night, Kaye said: 'Well thank God I'm going! That's it for today and this week sadly. 'We're off tomorrow for the racing. 'We've got a great line-up next week though, including Cheshire housewife Tanya Bardsley, 44, Atomic Kitten's Liz, 44. 'She shares a very personal health story. Plus Si King, 58, and Alison Hammond, 50, are here too. 'We will see you Monday. Have a great weekend!' Loose Women has been hitting headlines recently after it was revealed the chat show, along with Lorraine, has been axed for half the year. ITV announced the big shake up to its daytime schedule amid huge cuts last month. Loose Women will only air for 30 weeks of the year. Plus MailOnline recently revealed that ITV will axe a vital part of the show which viewers love in a desperate bid to save money. The series is scrapping their live studio audience when the programme airs with a reduced schedule of just 30 episodes next year. Bosses have got rid of the studio audience to save costs, with insiders revealing that it's an expensive feature due to being managed by an external company, who also provides security and a warmup person, but for the presenters, it's going to be a 'disaster.' A TV source told MailOnline: 'The panelists are really upset over the decision to axe the live studio audience from the show. 'It's what sets the series apart from the rest of ITV daytime and now there are massive fears that viewers will switch off completely. 'The only concern now is to cut costs and having a live studio audience can be expensive, with the added need for security and a warmup artist. 'Presenters already know how it feels to broadcast the show without an audience because that's what happened during the pandemic, and they all know it creates low mood and lack of atmosphere.' Meanwhile Kaye Adams has broken her silence on the brutal ITV cuts. She admitted that she's suffered 'sleepless nights' after her 'life imploded' and 'has no idea what's going to happen.' She told her How To Be 60 podcast co-host Karen MacKenzie: 'To be perfectly honest, we have no idea at this point, what's going to happen. 'I didn't anticipate it, which is probably stupid in retrospect. You get into a sort of rhythm of life. 'I had a couple of sleepless nights I have to say, because it's just like the rug's been pulled from under your feet – what has been familiar.' She continued: 'It's going to have an impact. Lots of people will lose their jobs completely which is terrible. It's a huge change.' Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 from 12:30pm and is available to stream on ITVX.
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Love Island fans work out ‘real reason' couple have split again as on/off Islanders unfollow each other
LOVE Island fans claim to have worked out why one of the show's couples has split again. The Sun revealed today how Harriett, 25, and 28-year-old Ronnie have called time on their relationship while on holiday in Ibiza. 5 Love Island fans are suspicious about Ronnie and Harriett's split Credit: Rex 5 The Sun revealed today how the pair have broken up again Credit: Rex Although the pair have not formally confirmed their break-up, Harriett has complained to fans about the "bad day" she's having. Harriett and Ronnie have unfollowed each other on Instagram, with him deleting all trace of her on the photo sharing site too. But fans are suspicious about the on/off couple's latest split. Mulling it over on Reddit, many claim to have worked out why Harriett and Ronnie have broken up again. It has been suggested that Ronnie might be being lined up to make a shock entrance in this summer's Love Island for Casa Amor. The twist, which comes later in the series, always sparks drama as the couples are put to the ultimate test with a host of new bombshell arrivals. Writing on the social forum, one fan said: "They'll be back together in a month." But another replied: "Ronnie will be the big post Casa bombshell by then." Agreeing, someone else added: "No kidding. He'll cry about Harriett while hitting on other women." A fourth chimed in: "And then Harriett will come back in for him to win her back." Ronnie Vint breaks silence on rumours he's split from his Love Island girlfriend Harriett Blackmore Another viewer begged: "Please don't give the producers ideas!" Ronnie and Harriett originally split last summer - just weeks after leaving the villa. The pair then rekindled their connection on Love Island: All Stars in January. Last week, the couple were at the centre of break-up rumours after fans noticed Ronnie had deleted photos of Harriett from Instagram. A mystery post appeared on the site which claimed to show Ronnie confirming: "Yeah it's true. Will explain my side of things later." Have YOU got a story or an amazing picture or video? Email exclusive@ and you could even get PAID But Ronnie quickly hit out and insisted he was the victim of a hoax by a malicious troll. He wrote online: "This is clearly a set up. Edited because we are sweet and I haven't commented a thing. Thank you." Following today's news that the couple have in fact broken up, Harriett has spoken out. Refusing to address the reports directly, she told her Instagram followers: 'I've never felt this exhausted in my entire life. 'Love you guys! Bad day, not a bad life.' 5 Ronnie and Harriett rekindled their romance on Love Island All Stars Credit: Getty 5 Ronnie has deleted all trace of Harriett on Instagram Credit: Instagram/@ronnievint
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Love Island boss refuses to rule out controversial islander returning for FOURTH go at show after shock split
The Islander has been a bombshell on three series of Love Island already back for more Love Island boss refuses to rule out controversial islander returning for FOURTH go at show after shock split Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island bosses have refused to rule out the return of a controversial Islander for a FOURTH go at the show. The new series of Love Island kicks off Monday, June 9 and the incredible line-up has already been revealed. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Love Island bosses have hinted Casey could return for a fourth go at the show Credit: Rex 3 He and Gabby Allen won the most recent All Stars series Credit: Rex 3 Casey has already appeared as a bombshell on three series of Love Island Credit: Rex But a show boss has teased that professional bombshell Casey O'Gorman could make another appearance if the All Stars spin-off is back next year. Casey, 28, won the most recent series of All Stars with Gabby Allen - but the couple split just months later. Speaking to The Sun ahead of the new series launch, show boss Mike Spencer-Hayter was asked if he'd been banned from the show yet. He replied: "I love Casey! "I mean, we have had a lot of people come forward and say that if All Stars three happens, people want to be on it." Casey first shot to fame as a latecomer during the 2023 winter series. He then came back as a bombshell for the first All Stars spin-off in 2023. Before making his third show appearance as a latecomer earlier this year. The Sun revealed last month that Casey and Gabby had split after realising they were "focusing on different things". A source said: "Casey and Gabby have both decided to part way. They had a really good relationship and enjoyed each others time but the reality is that they are focusing on different things and they both have realised that. Love Island: All Stars Winners Casey and Gabby Split Weeks After Going Official "Neither of them have parted ways badly but they just knew it wasn't going to work anymore. "Both have confided in quite a few friends about this and so it's not really a secret in their circles, but they've made the decision to part ways this week.' Have YOU got a story or an amazing picture or video? Email exclusive@ and you could even get PAID
