Holly Willoughby's Netflix reality show Celebrity Bear Hunt is facing potential cancellation after just one series, despite receiving widespread positive reviews.
The jungle adventure programme, which first aired in February, has yet to be approved for a second series despite several meetings.
Netflix bosses are believed to be keen to bring the show back but only if significant budget cuts can be made.
The reality competition series, hosted by Willoughby, 44, and survival expert Bear Grylls, 50, was filmed in the Costa Rican jungle. The show featured 12 celebrities being hunted down by Grylls in challenging wilderness conditions.
Despite being well-received by viewers and critics alike, the programme's future now hangs in the balance due to its substantial production costs.
Netflix executives were pleased with the show's performance, but are now exploring cost-cutting measures. According to sources, if the show is to return, both Willoughby and Grylls are likely to face pay cuts.
Holly Willoughby and Bear Grylls front the new Netflix show
PA
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A cheaper filming location is also being sought to replace the expensive Costa Rican jungle setting. "As to location, think Clacton or Croatia, not Costa Rica," a source told The Sun.
The show will also need to feature fewer expensive celebrity participants to make a second series financially viable.
"If it is recommissioned, cuts will 100 per cent be made and this could include talent salaries -- both Holly and Bear as well as the celebs," the insider revealed. "All measures are being explored."
The budget reductions are being considered essential despite the show's critical success and positive audience reception.
Holly Willoughby and Bear Grylls' new show is facing budget cuts to survive
PA
Netflix has not yet officially commented on the future of the programme. GB News has contacted Bear Team representatives at Netflix for comment.
The first series featured an impressive lineup of celebrities, including Spice Girl Mel B, model Lottie Moss, rugby player Danny Cipriani, and tennis legend Boris Becker.
Other participants included Big Zuu, Joe Thomas, Kola Bokinni, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Leomie Anderson, Shirley Ballas, Steph McGovern, and Una Healy.
There was high drama during filming when interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen became tangled in ropes while rafting. He lost consciousness and had to be revived on the beach by Grylls.
Holly Willoughby recently was left with no ITV projects after Dancing on Ice's axe
PA"It got excellent reviews and was a brilliant production. Bosses were happy with its performance," a source said of the show.
"Yet if it is recommissioned, cuts will 100 per cent be made and this could include talent salaries -- both Holly and Bear as well as the celebs."
Celebrity Bear Hunt marked a significant shift in Willoughby's television career, being her first major role with Netflix.
The show came after her departure from ITV's This Morning in October 2023, where she had been a presenter for more than 14 years.
Willoughby had also been a familiar face on Dancing on Ice, which she co-hosted from 2006 to 2011 and again from 2018.
She recently declined a lucrative offer to front ITV's game show You Bet!, reportedly due to other commitments. After turning down the offer, 2025 marked the first time in over two decades that Willoughby didn't have a project lined up with ITV.
"The world is now Holly's oyster, there are so many opportunities for her," a source told the Daily Mail.
Without an ITV show on her schedule for the first time in more than two decades, Willoughby appears to be taking her career in a new direction.
Her partnership with Netflix on Celebrity Bear Hunt was described as "a huge thing for her".
