Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen had every reason to celebrate at the Celebrity Bear Hunt launch event in London’s Leicester Square.

But topping his list wasn’t just the glitzy party—it was the fact that he had survived one of the toughest challenges of his life.

The TV personality, known for his flamboyant style and interior design expertise, took part in Netflix’s latest reality adventure, where celebrities are dropped into the Costa Rican jungle with one goal: escape the clutches of survival expert Bear Grylls.

The Ultimate Game of Cat and Mouse

The show throws a group of well-known figures into the wild, testing their survival skills under Grylls’ intense guidance.

Those who don’t measure up face the dreaded Bear Hunt—a high-stakes game where Grylls himself hunts them down. If caught, they’re eliminated.

It’s a brutal, adrenaline-fueled competition, and Laurence, at 59, found himself battling not only the elements but also his own limits.

A Brush With Death

During filming last spring, Laurence had a terrifying near-death experience.

While attempting a raft challenge, he became entangled in a bungee rope and was dragged underwater for several minutes.

It was Bear Grylls himself who pulled him to safety just in time.

Recalling the harrowing moment, Laurence admitted, “I really thought I had this in the bag.

I was full of adrenaline, convinced I could handle it.

Turns out, I’m no Avenger.” He added with his trademark humor, “Next thing I knew, Bear was on top of me—something I’m sure many people would envy—but honestly, he felt like a damp bag of spanners!”

An Embarrassing Capture

Despite Bear’s life-saving efforts, their competitive rivalry didn’t wane.

Laurence later found himself captured in a less-than-dignified moment—while taking a bathroom break.

“I was fuming!” he laughed. “Normally, I have an iron bladder.

But they kept giving us Gatorade, and well… let’s just say I had no choice.

I could hear the camera crew laughing, and before I knew it, Bear pounced. I mean, come on! Who ambushes someone mid-pee?”

Embracing the Challenge

At nearly 60, Laurence was one of the oldest competitors on the show, second only to Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas.

But instead of shying away, he saw it as a challenge worth taking on.

“There was a voice in my head saying, ‘You’re 60 soon, when else are you going to do this?’” he explained.

“Of course, I have plenty of people telling me, ‘Told you so,’ but honestly, I loved the experience.”

Uncle Laurence to the Rescue

With a natural knack for bringing people together, Laurence quickly became the camp’s self-appointed uncle, encouraging younger contestants like Lottie Moss and Danny Cipriani to keep morale high.

“I live with my daughters, their husbands, and my grandkids, so stepping into that role felt natural,” he shared.

“I probably annoyed everyone at some point by trying to keep the peace, but hey, someone’s got to do it!”

Celebrity Bear Hunt is Now Streaming!

Want to see Laurence and the rest of the star-studded cast battle it out in the wild? Celebrity Bear Hunt is available now on Netflix.

Meet the Cast

Mel B (48) – Spice Girl, TV presenter, and X Factor judge
Leomie Anderson (31) – Model and BBC Three’s Glow Up host
Kola Bokinni (31) – Actor, best known for Ted Lasso
Una Healy (42) – Singer and former member of The Saturdays
Lottie Moss (26) – Model and influencer
Steph McGovern (41) – TV presenter and journalist
Shirley Ballas (64) – Former dancer and Strictly Come Dancing head judge
Pat Cash (56) – Former Wimbledon champion
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (59) – Interior designer and Changing Rooms star
Big Zuu (28) – Rapper and TV chef
Danny Cipriani (36) – Retired rugby player
Joe Thomas (40) – Actor, known for The Inbetweeners

Who will outwit, outlast, and escape the hunt? Tune in to find out!

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn