Netflix is reportedly spending £1million on security for Holly Willoughby while she films her new show for the streaming platform, Bear Hunt.
Television presenter Holly, 43, and her co-host Bear Grylls, 49, will jet to Costa Rica with 10 celebrities this month.
It is claimed ex-special forces and former military guns for hire have been brought in to protect Holly from drugs gangs and kidnappers while in the Central American country.
The budget for the show is said to be £10million, with a further £1million set aside for protection from murders, assassinations and attacks, which are on the rise in the country.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Netflix are investing huge sums in creating a show which can rival ITV’s I’m a Celebrity, by bagging big names and choosing a tropical location.
Netflix is reportedly spending £1million on security for Holly Willoughby while she films her new show for the streaming platform, Bear Hunt
Television presenter Holly, 43, and her co-host Bear Grylls, 49 (pictured), will jet to Costa Rica with 10 celebrities this month
‘But keeping Holly and everyone fully protected in Costa Rica is the priority. 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.
‘That won’t be straightforward or cheap in a country which has a very luxurious tourist trade combined with a dangerous underbelly.’
A representative for Holly declined to comment. MailOnline has contacted Netflix for comment.
Filming is due to take place throughout May and the programme will be available for streaming early next year, according to the publication.
Little is known about the stars who have been signed-up for the show but former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has been linked to the series.
Bear Hunt will show former SAS trooper Grylls hunting down the contestants and when he finds them they will be eliminated from the programme.
Holly pulled out from presenting an episode of This Morning on October 5 last year just moments before going on air after police informed her bosses about an alleged ‘kidnap and murder’ plot.
It is claimed ex-special forces and former military guns for hire have been brought in to protect Holly from drugs gangs and kidnappers while in the Central American country
She then stepped down as host of the ITV flagship daytime show on October 10 last year, saying on social media it was an ‘honour to just be part of its story’, but that she felt ‘I have to make this decision for me and my family’.
The broadcaster was reportedly left ‘distraught’ after learning about the alleged plot.
Security guard Gavin Plumb, 36, appeared in court last month and pleaded not guilty to charges of soliciting murder and incitement to commit kidnap Holly.
The defendant is accused of planning to assemble a ‘kidnap and restraint’ kit and encouraging another man to travel to the UK from the USA to carry out the alleged offences.
Holly pulled out from presenting This Morning on October 5 last year just moments before going on air after police informed her bosses about an alleged ‘kidnap and murder’ plot (Holly seen on This Morning in September last year)
