Holly Willoughby‘s famous friends and loved ones came together on Wednesday evening to say her goodbyes ahead of a two-month trip to Costa Rica.
The presenter, 43, is jetting to Central America this month with co-host Bear Grylls, 49, to film her upcoming jungle survival show Bear Hunt, which will see 10 celebrities put to the test in the treacherous terrain.
Ensuring she was sent off in style, the mother-of-three’s pals including Christine Lampard and Nicola Appleton threw her a farewell supper at Mexican cantina Ixchel on the King’s Road.
The Chelsea eatery is a celebrity hotspot loved by the likes of Poppy Delelvingne, Lisa Snowdon and Jaime Winstone and even has the royal seal of approval – with Princess Beatrice a fan.
For Holly’s intimate soiree, the group booked out a private room at the venue, owned by restauranteur Fraser Carruthers, and was treated to a tasting menu with personalised cocktails.
Holly Willoughby enjoyed a star-studded boozy soiree at royal hotspot Ixchel on the King’s Road on Thursday ahead of her two-month trip to Costa Rica to film survival show Bear Hunt (pictured in 2023)
Diners sipped on tequila based cocktails – or mocktails – at the restaurant, which has been compared to a Mexican nightclub before nibbling on her special ‘Full Moon’ menu
Diners sipped on tequila based cocktails – or mocktails – at the restaurant, which has been compared to a Mexican nightclub before nibbling on her special ‘Full Moon’ menu that included the likes of pork belly tacos and crispy potatoes, finished off with tres leches cake.
Holly’s friends had gathered not just to wish her farewell but congratulate her on landing her first show away from terrestrial television.
The Wylde Moon founder, who quit ITV‘s This Morning last October, will host the programme, which has been described by television insiders a more challenging version of the BBC‘s Survivor.
She will oversee as the celebrity contestants – who have yet to be announced – take on Bear Grylls in the jungle.
A show insider told MailOnline: ‘It’s a great and such an exciting fresh series and of course a great challenge for Holly. It’s a great opportunity for her.’
The show, which is produced by Bear’s company, will see him pursue celebrity contestants and when he catches them, they will be eliminated.
Holly’s new job was finalised just days after Cat Deeley replaced her on This Morning, five months after she announced her departure.
Netflix bosses are said to be ‘ecstatic’ that they have been able to hire her. One said: ‘Holly was their woman for this project from the word go.
The presenter, 43, is jetting to Central America this month with co-host Bear Grylls, 49, to film Netflix’s Bear Hunt, which will see 10 celebrities put to the test in the treacherous terrain
Ensuring she was sent off in style, the mother-of-three’s pals including Christine Lampard and Nicola Appleton threw her a farewell supper (pictured with L-R Nicole, Christine, Shiarra Bell, Niki de Metz and Emma Bunton in January)
‘They are absolutely delighted to have got her to sign on the line, hopefully there will be many more opportunities to work with her down the line too.’
Holly is familiar with jungle surroundings after she hosted I’m A Celeb alongside Declan Donnelly in 2018 – the highest rated series ever.
She took on the job as a stand-in for Ant McPartlin who was in rehab for alcohol and painkiller addictions, and she was hailed a huge success.
There are some differences between the Central American jungles and the Australian outback, however.
Netflix producers are said to have shelled out £1 million to keep the team safe from drugs gangs and kidnappers in Costa Rica which has seen a massive uptick in gang and drug violence in recent years.
The once peaceful nation saw a record number of homicides in 2023, and a 66 percent increase in murders from 2013 to 2023.
More than 70 percent of the killings have been put down to drug trafficking as local gangs – as well as cartels from Mexico and Colombia – fight for control.
The influence of Mexican drug gangs and increased cocaine output in Colombia pushed murders to record levels last year, casting a shadow over a country that has long been a beacon of stability in the region.
With authorities struggling to get to grips with the explosion of killings, Costa Rica has even been forced to call on the European Union for help in its battle against the drug trafficking epidemic gripping the country.
Cocaine and fentanyl have flooded the outskirts of the capital of San José, where police spend much of their time hunting for gang leaders.
In parts, authorities are seeing violence synonymous with Mexican cartels like torture, gang killings, and assassinations carried out by highly trained hitmen.
Officials say these assassins carry out gruesome killings. Seven people were found in 2023 executed on a ranch. A decapitated body was also found floating in a marsh, and a drug boss was executed while dropping his daughter off at school.
Meanwhile, the country is experiencing the emergence of a new drug culture.
Young men ride around on shiny new motorbikes, some wielding rifles, and street vendors sell paintings of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
It is easy to see, therefore, why Netflix has set aside £1million to protect Holly, Bear and the other 10 celebs jetting to Costa Rica this month.
The budget for the show is said to be £10million after the protection budget.
For Holly’s intimate soiree, the group booked out a private room at the venue, owned by restauranteur Fraser Carruthers, and was treated to a tasting menu with bespoke cocktails
The Chelsea eatery is a celebrity hotspot loved by the likes of Poppy Delelvingne and even has the royal seal of approval – with Princess Beatrice a fan (Calum Best and Lady Victoria Hervey pictured in November)
‘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,’ A TV insider told The Sun newspaper.
‘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.’
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.
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.
The defendant is accused of planning to assemble a ‘kidnap and restraint’ kit and encouraging another man to travel from the USA to carry out the alleged plot.
Bear Hunt is expected to air in 2025.
Holly is familiar with jungle surroundings after she hosted I’m A Celeb alongside Declan Donnelly in 2018 – the highest rated series ever
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