Netflix are said to have a big budget for security on the Bear Hunt (Picture: Chesnot/Getty Images)
Netflix is reportedly forking out one million pounds on security while they film Bear Hunt, to protect the stars including Holly Willoughby.
Presenter Holly, 43, is heading to Costa Rica with Bear Grylls, 49, and at least ten celebrities.
This will be Holly’s second TV job after she walked away from This Morning after 14 years in October. Following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder, she released a statement that said it was a ‘difficult goodbye’ but she had to ‘make this decision for me and family’.
The series will see adventurer Bear hunting down famous faces in the jungle, with Jesy Nelson and Leigh Francis already rumoured as those who will try to evade capture.
It is claimed the streamer has hired ex-special forces and former military guns to ensure the safety of the cast and protect them from any attacks from criminals.
The overall budget is said to be £10 million, which will go towards an impressive line-up, with an extra one million for this specific purpose.
Holly Willoughby will be the host of Bear Hunt (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
Bear and Holly were confirmed for the show in March (Picture: Netflix)
‘Keeping Holly and everyone fully protected in Costa Rica is the priority,’ a TV insider told The Sun.
‘That means hiring specialist teams of guards, many of whom will be ex-military and special forces experts.
‘They’ll also need specialist vehicles, safe accommodation and a secure location in which to film.’
The source added that it will be costly and complicated in the South American country that has ‘a very luxurious tourist trade combined with a dangerous underbelly’.
Bear will be trying to catch the celebrities (Picture: PA)
Jesy is rumoured to be on Bear Hunt (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Costa Rica’s murder rate was 17.2 per 100,000 people in 2023 in their deadliest year on record – in 2018, it was at 11.7. This is compared to one in per 100,000 in the UK.
According to the Judicial Investigation Agency, there are an estimated 1,000 people in Costa Rica, who are involved in activities linked to organised crime within their 5.1 million population.
Filming for Bear Hunt is expected to begin in May with viewers getting to watch what happens in 2025.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Netflix for comment.
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