Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has opened up about a terrifying moment during his time on Celebrity Bear Hunt, where he nearly drowned during a challenging raft exercise. 

The interior designer, 59, found himself in serious danger while taking part in the survival reality series, requiring urgent intervention from host Bear Grylls. 

However, while the adventurer may have been his rescuer, it was Holly Willoughby who left a lasting impression on him—though not in the way one might expect.

A Life-Threatening Challenge Turned Near-Disaster

Laurence was partnered with Ted Lasso actor Kola Bokinni for a physically demanding task that involved getting onto a raft. 

Unfortunately, the situation quickly turned dire when he found himself struggling and became submerged underwater for a frightening length of time.

As panic set in, Bear Grylls, the 50-year-old survival expert and host of the show, leapt into action. Without hesitation, he dove into the ocean, grabbing hold of Laurence and pulling him to safety.

However, despite Bear’s heroic efforts, Laurence was less than thrilled about the nature of the rescue. Describing the experience with his signature wit, he quipped, “I do not want that wet, semi-naked, old Etonian bearing down on me ever again. It was like being kissed by a wet bag of spanners. It still haunts my dreams.”

He acknowledged that many people would have loved to be in such close proximity to Bear Grylls, but for him, it was far from enjoyable. “I am grateful because I survived, and I’m sure there are several hundred thousand people out there who would give their husband’s right arm for the experience, but, lovely though he was, it was a little bit too intimate for me. I would have preferred a stout handshake.”

The Unexpected Appearance of Holly Willoughby

After being brought to shore, Laurence regained consciousness, only to be greeted by This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby. In that surreal moment, he described seeing her standing over him, backlit in an angelic glow.

“There was one point where I did slide out of consciousness and came back quite quickly, and there was Holly Willoughby standing in front of me, backlit in the most angelic, beatific way. It was very easy to see her as Azrael, the angel of death.”

Adding a touch of humor, he joked that if the afterlife does involve meeting someone like Holly, then passing on might not be such a bad experience after all. “If the angel of death looks anything like Holly Willoughby, I think there’s nothing to fear about going through to the other side.”

A Unique Relationship with Bear Grylls

Laurence’s interactions with Bear Grylls didn’t stop at the dramatic rescue. Throughout the show, he found himself repeatedly caught in the infamous “Bear Pit,” which ultimately led to his elimination in the fourth episode.

Recalling one of Bear’s signature capture techniques, Laurence shared another amusing moment:

“As for his capture techniques, where he’d sneak up behind me and the next thing I knew I had bloody cable ties on my thumbs… Normally, you’d buy me a drink first at least.”

He also noted how unexpectedly polite their interactions were despite the intense nature of the competition. “Bear caught me first, and then the cameras went off, and he said, ‘Oh, hi, I haven’t seen you since Christmas. Family well?’ And then walked off. It was just like, ‘Oh my God, that is the most middle-class capture I think there has ever, ever been.’”

Reflecting on the Other Contestants

While Celebrity Bear Hunt was physically demanding, Laurence also enjoyed getting to know his fellow contestants. He formed an unexpected bond with model Lottie Moss, who he described as “a really, really nice girl.”

He noted how she had been on reality shows before where producers encouraged her to open up, but during their time together, she seemed to find a sense of resolution. “There were a lot of her demons coming out over the dinner table… but being with older celebrities and forming a sort of family dynamic really helped her.”

As for Kola Bokinni, Laurence admitted he was starstruck, being a huge Ted Lasso fan. However, he observed that Kola was much quieter than expected. “I’ve never spent time with someone who uses so few words. He’s so taciturn that sometimes his reactions may seem distant or standoffish, but that’s just the way he is. There’s a kind of slow wisdom behind him.”

Big Zuu Wins It All

In the end, rapper Big Zuu emerged victorious, impressing his fellow contestants not only with his survival skills but also by taking charge of cooking for the group. He beat out Kola, Lottie, singer Una Healy, and journalist Steph McGovern in a challenging final.

Laurence’s Next Big Project

Now that his Celebrity Bear Hunt adventure has come to an end, Laurence is turning his attention to the Ideal Home Show, where he will be showcasing his Home of Your Future concept.

Speaking about his latest design venture, he explained:

“This year, I wanted to create a space that reflected the fact that we’re all living in smaller homes than we used to. There are things we can do to make that easier.”

He also emphasized the importance of considering the needs of an aging population, aiming to design homes that accommodate changing lifestyles while maintaining a sense of independence.

As he gears up for the event, Laurence remains as charismatic and outspoken as ever, proving that whether he’s surviving the wild or transforming living spaces, he always brings a touch of humor and flair to everything he does.

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