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.

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Celebrity Bear Hunt nearly had a fatality after one star almost drownedCredit: Netflix

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Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen blacked out during a challengeCredit: Netflix

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A source said he thought he was a ‘goner’Credit: Ray Burmiston/Netflix
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 Celebrity Bear Hunt will hit Netflix next month The Sun was the first to reveal the full line-up for the exciting new show earlier this year, with the star-studded cast including rugby hunk Danny Cipriani. And now a source has 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. “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. “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 has been approached for comment. The show is an upcoming reality competition television series starring Bear Grylls, and presented by Holly.

HOLLY’S NEW SEASON The series will premiere on Netflix on February 5, 2025. Netflix say: “Holly Willoughby hosts this action-packed competition show that sees a group of unlikely celebrities dropped into the Central American jungle as prey for one of the world’s most fearsome predators – Bear Grylls. “Bear believes there’s an action hero inside us all – even the celebs – but how strong is their will to survive? “As Bear puts them through their paces, those who fail to impress will face the dreaded Bear Hunt – a brutal game of cat and mouse where they’ll be hunted down by Bear himself and, if captured, face elimination from the show.”” target=”_blank” aria-label=”the Mail (opens in a new tab)” rel=”nofollow noreferrer noopener”>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.

“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.

“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

“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.

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.

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Danny Cipriani wasn’t happy with alleged ‘special treatment’ shown to host HollyCredit: Getty

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Holly is currently hosting Dancing on IceCredit: Rex

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