Holly Willoughby has sensationally signed with Netflix to host a celebrity jungle-based reality show called Bear Hunt, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.
The presenter, who quit ITV’s This Morning last October, will appear on the show alongside star survival expert Bear Grylls.
Described by television insiders as a more challenging version of the BBC’s Survivor, it will see celebrity contestants face off against Grylls. The film will take place in the South American jungle.
It is Ms Willoughby’s first show outside of terrestrial television.
A show insider told MailOnline: ‘It’s a great and exciting new series and of course a great challenge for Holly.
Holly Willoughby has sensationally signed with Netflix to host a famous jungle-based reality show called Bear Hunt, MailOnline can exclusively reveal
The presenter, who quit ITV’s This Morning last October, will appear on the show alongside celebrity survival expert Bear Grylls
“It’s a great opportunity for her.”
In the show, which is produced by Grylls’ company, he will chase celebrity contestants and when he catches them, they will be eliminated.
Ms Willoughby’s new job comes just days after Cat Deeley replaced her on This Morning, five months after she announced her departure.
She will begin filming the program later this year and it is expected to air in 2025.
Netflix bosses are said to be ‘ecstatic’ that they were able to hire her. One said: ‘Holly was their woman on this project from the start.
“They are absolutely thrilled to have gotten her on the phone and hopefully there will be many more opportunities to work with her.”
Ms Willoughby, 43, will be familiar with the jungle environment.
In 2018, she co-presented I’m A Celeb with Declan Donnelly – the highest-rated series ever.
She replaced Ant McPartlin who was in rehab for alcohol and painkiller addiction and was hailed a great success.
The star quit last October this morning after 14 years after an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her surfaced, leaving her terrified
Ms Willoughby, 43, will be familiar with the jungle environment. In 2018, she co-presented I’m A Celeb with Declan Donnelly – the highest-rated series ever
Ms Willoughby’s new job comes just days after Cat Deeley replaced her on This Morning, five months after announcing her departure
She also hosted Freeze the Fear with Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof in 2022, which was shown on BBC One
She also presented Freeze the Fear with Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof in 2022, which was shown on BBC One.
Ms Willoughby’s new role comes just days after The Mail on Sunday revealed that ITV have offered her a lucrative new contract to host next year’s series of their skating show, Dancing On Ice.
She is expected to accept the deal after happily hosting the program alongside her long-time friend and colleague Stephen Mulhern.
A source from the show said: ‘Holly really loved it this year, she found it really fun and enjoyable.’
The star quit last October this morning after 14 years after an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her surfaced, leaving her terrified.
Former guard Gavin Plumb will appear in court in June after pleading not guilty to the charges last November.
Ms Willoughby’s departure came five months after Phillip Schofield left ITV after admitting to the Mail that he had had a relationship with a much younger colleague and lied about it.
Ms Willoughby’s new role comes just days after The Mail on Sunday revealed that ITV have offered her a lucrative new contract to host next year’s series of their skating show, Dancing On Ice (featured in this year’s series with co-host Stephen Mulhern)
Ms Willoughby’s departure came five months after Phillip Schofield left ITV after admitting to the Mail that he had had a relationship with a much younger colleague and lied about it.
In a statement to the Mail, he said he was ‘deeply sorry’ for lying about the relationship with ITV, his colleagues, friends and agents.
He said: ‘I was in a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.
“Contrary to speculation, while I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him get on television, it wasn’t until he started working on the show that it became more than just a friendship.
‘That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It’s over now.’
