Danny Cipriani’s time on the upcoming  Netflix reality show *Celebrity Bear Hunt* was reportedly marred by alleged preferential treatment toward host Holly Willoughby, 

leading the former England rugby star to reconsider his involvement in reality  TV altogether.

Scheduled for release in February, *Celebrity Bear Hunt* will feature survival expert Bear Grylls chasing down celebrities in the wilds of Costa Rica.

Willoughby, 43, is set to present the show, guiding viewers through the thrilling competition.

As the title suggests, the show will see Grylls hunting down the famous faces, while Willoughby takes on the role of host.

While the show has garnered significant attention due to its unique premise and star-studded cast, including the likes of BBC Breakfast’s Steph McGovern,

Spice Girl Mel B, tennis legend Boris Becker, and *The Inbetweeners* star Joe Thomas, not all of the participating celebrities have had positive experiences behind the scenes.

Cipriani, 37, was one of the first stars excited to join the show, reportedly motivated by his admiration for Bear Grylls and the opportunity to learn survival skills in the jungle.

According to an insider who spoke to *The Sun*, the rugby star initially embraced the challenge, eager to dive into the experience of living in the wild alongside the famous adventurer.

However, things soon took a turn during filming when Cipriani allegedly grew disillusioned with the special treatment given to the show’s host.

The source claimed that Cipriani became increasingly frustrated as it appeared that every decision made on the show was centered around Holly Willoughby’s comfort.

While it is typical for the host of a competition show to receive certain accommodations, Cipriani reportedly felt that the perceived favoritism went beyond what he considered fair.

The insider shared, “Danny was wary of entering the world of reality TV but was excited to learn from Bear. However, his excitement started to wane as he saw the special treatment Holly was receiving.”

Cipriani, known for being open about his spiritual journey, reportedly values fairness and equality, which made the situation even harder for him to accept. “He’s all about things being fair and equal,” the source noted.

This belief in fairness, paired with the discomfort he reportedly felt over the unequal treatment, led Cipriani to the decision that he would quit the show. According to the insider, he even packed his bags, prepared to leave, which prompted producers to intervene and persuade him to stay.

Despite the resolution to remain on set, the damage was done, and Cipriani’s overall experience was negatively impacted.

While he did manage to form a few friendships during filming, the source noted that his time on *Celebrity Bear Hunt* left him disillusioned with the reality TV world.

“Danny couldn’t wait to go back home to LA when it was over,” the insider added, hinting that Cipriani may not return to reality television in the future.

The drama behind the scenes has only added to the anticipation surrounding the show, which boasts a cast of 12 celebrities who will attempt to outwit Bear Grylls in the wild. Aside from Cipriani, other  celebrities joining the challenge include *Strictly Come Dancing* judge Shirley Ballas, model Lottie Moss, rapper Big Zuu, and actress Kola Bokinni.

*Celebrity Bear Hunt* promises to deliver a gripping and adventurous experience, with each  celebrity facing the unique challenge of being hunted down in the jungle.

As the series premieres next month, viewers can expect intense competition and unpredictable moments, though some stars, like Cipriani, have already encountered their own challenges off-camera.

In the end, while *Celebrity Bear Hunt* aims to be an exciting and thrilling addition to Netflix’s lineup, Danny Cipriani’s experience serves as a reminder that the realities of reality TV can sometimes be far from glamorous.

As for Willoughby, her role as host will likely continue to draw attention, though her experience on set has not come without its controversies. Fans will have to tune in to see how the drama unfolds when the show hits Netflix in February.