Ant and Dec’s I’m A Celebrity spin-off hit by bear horror as woman savaged near ITV filming location
The filming location for Ant and Dec’s latest ITV venture, I’m A Celebrity: The Wild Frontier, has been plunged into turmoil after a woman was savaged by a bear in Canada’s Callaghan Valley.
The attack took place on Friday evening close to Conflict Lake, just as production on the wilderness spin-off was getting under way in the surrounding area.
Following the incident, the entire television set was placed under strict lockdown, with producers scrambling to bolster safety measures across the camp.
The show had only just begun shooting on Monday when sources say presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly touched down at the location mere hours after the mauling occurred.
Ant and Dec are currently filming their new ITV series in the Canadian wilderness
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ITV
Local authorities responded by shutting off all public access to the surrounding region and opening a formal investigation into the attack.
Photographs published by The Sun revealed electric fencing and specialist food storage containers known as “bear lockers” had been installed around the camp to deter wildlife from approaching the celebrity contestants.
Crew members have also been issued with bear spray, while 24-hour security patrols are now in operation across the production site.
The measures amount to what has been described as a “ring of steel” encircling the ITV filming base.
Ant and Dec have remained close friends throughout their decades-long career together
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GETTYA production source stressed protecting everyone on set remained the overriding concern, stating: “Wellbeing and security of cast and crew is absolutely paramount.
“All the necessary measures are in place, and bosses will go above and beyond to ensure the safety of production.”
An estimated eight adult grizzly bears are thought to inhabit the Callaghan Valley area where filming is taking place.
The British Columbia conservation team disclosed details of the incident on Saturday afternoon, revealing a party of three walkers had come across two bears on the trail before one of the animals attacked the woman.
The filming location for Ant and Dec’s The Wild Frontier has been placed under heightened security
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ITVAfter the bear eventually broke off its assault, the injured hiker was given emergency first aid at the scene before being transported by air ambulance to hospital, where her injuries were assessed as non-life-threatening.
An adult black bear discovered at the location of the mauling was subsequently destroyed by officers over safety concerns.
Investigators have not yet established whether the animal responsible for the attack was a grizzly or a black bear, although the region is known to be home to a significant grizzly population.
The Wild Frontier is scheduled to hit screens next year, with the celebrity line-up reportedly featuring former footballer Rio Ferdinand, ice skating legend Christopher Dean and singer Louise Redknapp.
In a distinctive twist on the established I’m A Celeb format, contestants must enter, compete and depart as pairs rather than individuals.
Ant and Dec unveiled the programme in a promotional clip recorded at Whistler Olympic Park, with Ant joking: “Have a guess where we are? No, it’s not Centre Parcs. We’re in Canada!”
A bear attack took place close to the location where The Wild Frontier is being filmed
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ITV
Dec acknowledged the dangers of the wilderness setting, warning that competing duos should brace themselves because “out here in the Canadian wilderness, danger lurks around every corner. One word: bears.”
The series will culminate in a live grand final broadcast from London, where viewers will select the winning pair.
GB News understands the bear incident was a 30-minute drive away from camp and not show-related.
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