Holly Willoughby sensationally signs to Netflix to host celebrity jungle-based reality show Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls – after leaving This Morning

Holly Willoughby has sensationally signed to Netflix to host a celebrity jungle-based reality show called Bear Hunt, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.

The presenter, who left ITV’s This Morning last October, will appear on the show alongside star survival expert Bear Grylls.

Described by TV insiders as a more challenging version of the BBC’s Survivor, celebrity contestants will be pitted against Grylls. It will be shot in the South American jungle.

It is Mrs Willoughby’s first show away from terrestrial television.

A show insider told MailOnline: ‘It’s a fantastic and such an exciting fresh series and obviously a big challenge for Holly.

‘It’s a fantastic opportunity for her.’

The show, which is produced by Grylls’ company, will see him stalk 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 show later this year and it is expected to air in 2025.

Netflix executives are said to be ‘ecstatic’ that they have been able to hire her. One said: ‘Holly was their woman for this project right from the start.

‘They are absolutely delighted to have her sign on the line, hopefully there will be many more opportunities to work with her as well.’

Ms Willoughby, 43, will be familiar with the jungle environment.

In 2018, she co-hosted I’m A Celeb alongside Declan Donnelly – the highest rated series of all time.

When she stood in for Ant McPartlin, who was in rehab for alcohol and painkiller addiction, she was hailed as a huge success.

She also hosted 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 has offered her a lucrative new contract to host next year’s series of their skate show, Dancing On Ice.

She is expected to accept the deal after she enjoyed co-hosting the show with her old friend and colleague Stephen Mulhern.

A show source said: “Holly really loved it this year, she found it really fun and entertaining.”

The star left This Morning last October after 14 years following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her, which left her terrified.

Former security guard Gavin Plumb will appear in court in June after pleading not guilty to the charge last November.

Ms Willoughby’s departure came five months after Phillip Schofield left ITV following his admission 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 to ITV, his colleagues, friends and agents.

He said: ‘I had a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague on This Morning.

“Contrary to speculation, while I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him get into TV, 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 is now over.’