Holly Willoughby has been dealt a huge blow after the BBC confirmed her show Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof has been axed.
In the series hosted by Holly (42) and Lee Mack (55), eight celebrities went on a unique adventure under the guidance of extreme athlete Wim Hof (64).
TV presenter Holly resigned as presenter of This Morning in October following an alleged kidnapping and murder plot.
And as she prepares to host Dancing On Ice on ITV this month, it means Holly has one less project to focus on for now.
A TV insider told The Sun: “This bad news caps an extremely difficult year for Holly, which has seen her drastically re-evaluate her life and career.”
Holly Willoughby was dealt a huge blow after the BBC confirmed her show Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof had been canceled (pictured in March).
TV presenter Holly resigned as presenter of This Morning in October following a suspected kidnapping and murder attempt (Holly pictured on Dancing On Ice in January 2023).
“Axing Freeze the Fear limits her options and leaves a question mark over where she will go next after giving up her biggest gig as co-host of This Morning.”
“It is also disappointing for her husband Dan, who runs the production company Hungry Bear, which made the show.”
“But they will take comfort in the fact that they will be delivering Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and Gladiators to BBC One this month.”
A BBC spokesman told Web: “As it stands there are no immediate plans for a further series of Freeze The Fear on the BBC.”
Web has contacted a representative for Holly for comment.
Speculation about the future of “Freeze the Fear” has been increasing since it first aired in 2022.
In January last year, it was reported that the program had been put on hold, with no work on the second season at that time.
The series saw Holly return to the BBC after almost a decade and even took time off from This Morning in January 2022 to film the film.
At Freeze the Fear, hosted by Holly, 42 (right), and Lee Mack, 55 (left), eight celebrities went on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure under the guidance of extreme athlete Wim Hof, 64
Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell, actress Tamzin Outhwaite (centre) and former gymnast Gabby Logan took part in the first series
The show revolved around Wim, also known as “The Iceman,” who led the VIPs through a series of challenges designed to test their physical and mental limits
A source told The Sun last January: “Since 2004, Holly has worked almost exclusively for ITV as one of the channel's most in-demand presenters.”
“So it was a big deal in the industry that she moved to the BBC and showed that she had real confidence in the huge success of Freeze the Fear. But it looks like a second series hasn’t been worked on yet.”
The show revolved around Wim, also known as “The Iceman,” who led the VIPs through a series of challenges designed to test their physical and mental limits.
Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and former gymnast Gabby Logan took part in the first series.
Each week they faced demanding challenges that became increasingly daring as the series progressed.
With Wim's encouragement, the celebrities learned to reap the benefits of cold water therapy and faced a unique test of their mental strength.
Wim has dedicated his life to showing others that they can achieve things they thought were impossible.
Previously, he used special techniques to control his mind and body while running a half marathon barefoot above the Arctic Circle, diving into ice for 1 hour and 52 minutes, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in only shorts and shoes.
Holly has reportedly received some big money offers from radio bosses hoping to sign her to their stations (pictured in September).
“There is a natural power in the cold,” he said previously. “When we embrace it, the magic happens.”
“This isn’t about being tough. It’s about taking ownership of the power of your own spirit.”
This comes after Holly reportedly received some big money offers from radio bosses hoping to sign her to their stations.
It is claimed that the BBC is leading the way in trying to persuade her to agree to a radio job.
A source told The Sun: “Radio 2 and Global are both interested in getting Holly on their books.”
“After quitting This Morning she has more time on her hands and a weekly radio gig could be the perfect solution.”
“Claudia Winkleman has resigned from her weekly slot on Radio 2 and the BBC would like to see if Holly would consider it.”
“Global is also excited about working with them, especially after Amanda Holden on Heart and Kate Garraway on Smooth Radio have proven such a hit for them.”
Holly will reportedly deal with her three-month TV absence when she returns to Dancing On Ice (pictured on the show in March 2023).
“There were a number of approaches for Holly to consider whenever she was ready.”
Web has contacted Global and a representative for Holly for comment. The BBC declined to comment when contacted by Web.
This comes after it was reported that Holly will discuss her three-month TV absence when she returns to Dancing On Ice this month.
Holly will co-host the ITV skating show alongside Stephen Mulhern exclusively on Web last week.
The series begins on January 14, nearly three months after learning of an alleged kidnapping and murder plot.
Holly will thank her fans for their support as she hopes to mark the start of a positive new year.
A TV insider told The Sun: “Holly is really looking forward to putting 2023 behind her and focusing on a fresh, positive start to a new year.”
They continued: “She is considering a very brief comment at the start of the opening show, such as 'It's good to be back' or 'Thank you for your support', to draw a clear line under her break and mark the beginning of a new one.” optimistic term of office.'
The TV presenter is returning to co-host the ITV skating show with Stephen Mulhern, Web exclusively revealed last week
According to The Sun, Dancing On Ice bosses are said to have provided Holly with increased security and want to ensure she feels completely “safe” on the show.
The publication also claimed that Holly had signed a rolling one-year contract with the option to step down next year if she wanted a longer break.
A source told The Sun: “The bosses worked hard to make sure she felt completely safe and tried not to put pressure on anyone, whilst at the same time making sure she knew they were ready. supporting them every step of the way.”
Holly signed a contract over Christmas after weeks of debating whether to host the show and is said to be “excited” to be back working on the show, which she previously hosted with her former boyfriend Phillip Schofield.
An ITV insider told Web: “Holly is a star and everyone was so hoping she would decide to come back.”
“After a lot of discussion and a lot of thought, she decided it would be a good thing to bring some normality into her life.”
“There are obviously concerns about going live on television. Her family is her top priority. ITV were very understanding and put no pressure on her at all.”
They added: “They wanted to give her the time she needed but it was a difficult decision for her. “Time passed but bosses tried to remain calm.”
Dancing On Ice bosses are said to have provided increased security for Holly and want to ensure she feels completely “safe” on the show
Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV, said: “Holly and Stephen are two of our most popular presenters. The pair's reunion, 20 years after their first appearance together as hosts of Dancing On Ice, marks the start of an exciting year for us.'
ITV also shared a post on Instagram saying: “Dancing On Ice news 20 years after they first worked together, Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern join forces for the greatest show on ice.”
Stephen, who presents ITV game shows Catchphrase and Deal Or No Deal, is a close friend of Holly and last week signed a contract to host Dancing On Ice after agreeing to follow in Schofield's footsteps .
However, ITV had no replacement for Holly in the starting blocks, meaning all hopes rested on her.
Holly and Phillip, 61, co-hosted Dancing On Ice from its inception in 2006 until 2011.
Christine Lampard then replaced Holly for the next three series until the show ended in 2014.
The series was then revived by ITV in 2018, with both Holly and Phillip returning as presenters until this year.
Phillip was then fired from ITV after admitting to lying about a romantic relationship he had with a former younger colleague and immediately ended his contract with This Morning.
After debating for weeks about whether to appear as presenter, Holly signed the contract over Christmas and is said to be 'excited' to be working on the show again (pictured with Phillip Schofield in the final series).
Stephen emerged as the frontrunner to replace Phillip after hosting spin-off series Defrosted for a year in 2006 and filling in for Phillip when he fell ill with Covid last year.
The TV presenter confirmed in October that he had been negotiating with his bosses to join as co-host following Phillip's departure.
Stephen told Web that it would be “amazing” to host the show and that it is always a “great time” to co-host with long-time friend and colleague Holly.
He said: “I used to do the spin-off show Defrosted and when I stepped in for Phil when he wasn't feeling too well because he had Covid, I really enjoyed it and it was so nice to be with Holly again.
“We had a great time together and a lot of the team were the same as when I was on the ITV2 show.”
“We're talking about it, but I promise you now that nothing is confirmed, but if it happens it will be absolutely amazing… if not, then look, it's not happening.” I promise you I would tell you if we would have confirmed it at this point.
“The lineup is the best it's been in a few years… I'm keeping the lineup just in case… It's a big staple and it's already there.”
Holly's future on the show had been thrown into question after she resigned from This Morning after she was ultimately left “unhinged” by an alleged “kidnap and murder plot”.
The mother-of-three, who originally joined This Morning in 2009, released a statement saying she was leaving the show “for the sake of her family”.
Gavin Plumb, 36, has pleaded not guilty to charges of incitement to murder and incitement to kidnap the former This Morning presenter. The security guard remains behind bars after being denied bail.
During a short hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, Gavin Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, who was not present, had a bail application refused. His trial date is set for June 24 next year.
Holly has also paused her £1million deal with Marks & Spencer as she continues to fear for her safety.
It comes after Holly resigned from This Morning in October (pictured in September 2023) after she was eventually “duped” by an alleged “kidnap and murder plot”.
She has been managing the retail chain's debt collection operations since 2018, but told her superiors that she needed to take some time off from her contract while she dealt with her anxiety about the case.
The star typically presents several “capsule” collections a year and also offers fashion tips to shoppers on the store's website.
She has also frozen her seven-figure contract with L'Oreal as the face of Garnier Nutrisse hair color. She has not participated in any promotional activity of the brand.
It is not known whether she gave up any income from the contracts.