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.
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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.
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“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.
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.
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.
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.
The presenter is founder of wellbeing business Wylde Moon, established back in 2021, which encourages shoppers to “value reconnecting with yourself.”
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.
