SO SAD: I’m A Celebrity spin-off hosted by Ant and Dec hit by a h0rrific incident that left a show star seriously injured.
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly’s new ITV wilderness series has been hit by a major security scare after a woman was attacked by a bear near the Canadian location where filming is taking place.
The incident happened close to Conflict Lake in British Columbia’s Callaghan Valley on Friday evening, shortly before production on I’m A Celebrity: The Wild Frontier got fully under way.
The attack was not connected to the programme and reportedly took place around a 30-minute drive from the camp, but producers responded by tightening security around the filming base.
The surrounding area was placed under restrictions while local authorities investigated what happened.
Security Tightened Around ITV Camp
Following the incident, production reportedly introduced a series of additional precautions designed to protect cast and crew working in the wilderness.
Electric fencing was installed around the camp, while specialist food storage containers known as “bear lockers” were brought in to reduce the risk of attracting wildlife.
Crew members were also issued with bear spray and 24-hour security patrols were put in place.
The measures were described as creating a “ring of steel” around the ITV base.
A production source stressed that safety remained the priority.
“Wellbeing and security of cast and crew is absolutely paramount,” the source said.
“All the necessary measures are in place, and bosses will go above and beyond to ensure the safety of production.”
The Callaghan Valley is known to be home to bears, with an estimated eight adult grizzlies believed to live in the surrounding region.
Hiker Taken to Hospital After Attack
British Columbia conservation officials said a group of three hikers encountered two bears on a trail before one of the animals attacked a woman.
The bear eventually stopped the assault, allowing emergency help to reach the injured hiker.
She received first aid at the scene before being airlifted to hospital.
Her injuries were later assessed as non-life-threatening.
An adult black bear found at the location was subsequently destroyed by officers because of safety concerns.
However, investigators had not established whether that animal was responsible for the attack.
Officials also had not confirmed whether the bear involved was a black bear or a grizzly.
The incident happened just as Ant and Dec were arriving to begin work on their latest ITV project.
Sources said filming had only just started when the presenters reached the location.
Ant and Dec Had Already Warned About Bears
The timing was particularly striking because bears had already featured prominently in promotion for the new series.
Ant and Dec unveiled The Wild Frontier from Whistler Olympic Park, joking about the challenges awaiting contestants.
“Have a guess where we are? No, it’s not Centre Parcs. We’re in Canada!” Ant joked.
Dec then directly referenced the risks of the setting.
“Out here in the Canadian wilderness, danger lurks around every corner,” he said.
“One word: bears.”
The new programme is designed as a spin-off from the established I’m A Celebrity format.
Unlike the main series, contestants will enter, compete and leave in pairs rather than as individuals.
The celebrity line-up is reported to include former footballer Rio Ferdinand, skating star Christopher Dean and singer Louise Redknapp.
Filming Continues Despite Scare
Despite the heightened security, the source does not indicate that production has been cancelled.
Instead, the focus has been on strengthening safety measures while filming continues.
The incident itself remains separate from the show, but its proximity has underlined the realities of shooting a major television production in genuine wilderness.
The series is due to air next year and will end with a live grand final broadcast from London, where viewers will choose the winning pair.
For now, production is pressing ahead under much tighter security.
The bear attack may not have been linked to The Wild Frontier, but it has provided an unsettling reminder that the danger being promoted as part of the show’s wilderness premise is very real.
