Holly Willoughby ‘is preparing for move from British favourite to global star after signing mega-money Netflix deal amid TV comeback’

Holly Willoughby is reportedly preparing for a move from being a British TV favourite to becoming a global star after signing her mega-money Netflix deal.

The presenter, 43, who quit ITV‘s This Morning last October, has been the face of daytime TV in the UK for over a decade and made herself a household name.

But last month MailOnline revealed Holly has now signed to Netflix to host a celebrity jungle-based reality show named Bear Hunt, alongside star survival expert, Bear Grylls.

She is also now being represented by Cherry PR – who have an impressive portfolio of stars under their belts including Maya Jama and Sam Smith.

And The Sun has now claimed that Holly’s team negotiated a ‘mammoth’ fee for her Netflix deal which gives her access to a more global market after years on daytime TV.

A source said: ‘Holly and her team grafted for this deal with Netflix and negotiated a very attractive package.

‘She’ll earn more for her show with Bear in a few weeks than she made in a year at ITV.

‘Holly knows her worth and only wants to put her name on credible projects. Her show with Bear has a lot of money behind it and it’s expected to be a worldwide hit.

‘She is ready to go into the next league. There is a lot riding on this show but Holly and her team already think they could be on to a winner.’

A representative for Holly has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

Her new PR company, Cherry Create, also looks after rapper Aitch, Zayn Malik and Lola Young. 

She is now said to be curating a new and more global image with the company who have had huge success with Love Island star Maya, 29, in recent years. 

Maya now hosts the hugely-popular ITV show and has deals with brands including Rimmel and Dolce & Gabbana. 

And Holly could go on a similar trajectory the publication now claims with her Marks and Spencer and Dunelm ranges now thought to be on hold.

The presenter left the YMU group back in 2020 to set up her own management company. 

A row escalated over a ‘sunset clause’ in which the agency could command a cut of a departing client’s future salaries on contracts arranged before their exit.

However, it was later reported Holly has settled out of court following a bitter 18-month fight. 

Holly’s singing to Cherry Create marks a new era for the star who has signed to Netflix to host a celebrity jungle-based reality show named Bear Hunt.

The presenter will appear on the show alongside star survival expert, Bear Grylls.

Described by television insiders a more challenging version of the BBC ‘s Survivor, celebrity contestants will be pitted against Grylls. It will be filmed in the South American jungle.

It is Holly’s first show away from terrestrial television.

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 Grylls’ company, will see him pursue celebrity contestants and when he catches them, they will be eliminated.

Holly’s new job comes just days after Cat Deeley replaced her on This Morning, five months after she announced her departure.

She will begin filming the programme later in the year and it is expected to air in 2025.

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.

‘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, 43, will be familiar with the jungle surroundings.

In 2018 she hosted I’m A Celeb alongside Declan Donnelly – the highest rated series ever.

Standing in for Ant McPartlin who was in rehab for alcohol and painkiller addictions, she was hailed a huge success.

She also hosted Freeze the Fear with Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof in 2022 which was screened on BBC One.

Holly’s new role comes just days after The Mail on Sunday revealed that ITV have offered her a lucrative new contract to host next year’s series of their skate show, Dancing On Ice.

She is expected to accept the deal after she enjoyed hosting the programme alongside her old friend and colleague Stephen Mulhern.

A show source said: ‘Holly really loved it this year, she found it really fun and enjoyable.’

The star quit This Morning last October after 14 years after an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her emerged, leaving her terrified.

Former security guard Gavin Plumb will appear in court in June after pleading not guilty to the charge last November.

Holly’s departure came five months after Phillip Schofield left ITV after his admission to the Mail that he had had a relationship with a much younger colleague and lied about it.

In a statement to the Mail, he said he was ‘deeply sorry’ for lying about the relationship to ITV, his colleagues, friends and agents.