Netflix Celebrity Bear Hunt's Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen 'thought he was a goner' during filming and his net worth

Landmark birthdays, especially those with a zero on the end, can force you to take stock of your life and even make you take risks and try new things; maybe dangerous new things.

Maybe that's why charismatic and ultra talented interior designer, TV presenter, and all-round fabulous and flamboyant person Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen agreed to appear on the new Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt, as he turns 60-years-old on March 11, 2025.

Holly Willoughby hosts this competition show set in the Costa Rican jungle where 12 celebrities, including Laurence, become prey for legendary survival expert, Bear Grylls. Joining Laurence to form the 12 star-studded line-up that were abandoned in the jungle during filming in 2024 include tennis champion Boris Becker, 'Strictly Come Dancing' head judge Shirley Ballas, and Spice Girl Mel B - the show starts streaming from Wednesday, February 5.

READ MORE: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen warns 'stop being so English' when it comes to growing old

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It's not as though LLB has been meandering slowly towards the big 60 though - he's arguably busier than ever including working with brands, retailers and local shops, exhibiting artwork, writing books, and designing a new range for Shutterly Fabulous.

In 2024 he created beautiful interiors for Rangeford Villages, who build retirement complexes, working with his daughter Hermione, who he says is now the leading driver of his international LLB interiors brand, according to his exclusive recent interview with WalesOnline - find out more about that here.

LLB even got involved in helping his local venue, Barn Theatre, Cirencester, by designing their Three Musketeers' costumes for their 2024 Christmas show and he also supports Linc Charity who help patients diagnosed with blood cancer and their families.

Laurence's engaging and flamboyant way of presenting TV shows and showcasing his distinctive and beautiful designs has captivated TV viewers for decades including Channel 4's Outrageous Homes and BBC's House of the Year and, of course, the original and the recent reboot of legendary interiors make-over show Changing Rooms.

But Celebrity Bear Hunt stands out as a total anomaly in the TV credits list - LLB recently told Radio Times Magazine why he decided to something so far removed from fabric swatches and colour charts. He said: "I live a life of unendurable luxury, of insufferable comfort. So there was something at the back of my head saying, 'What would it be like? Is it survivable?'

"There is that sort of really bolshie, irritating instinct that makes me feel I should do something like this, because I've never done it before. And if I don't do it soon, the chances of ever being able to get away with it will be incredibly compromised."

But it has been reported that LLB nearly died while filming Celebrity Bear Hunt during a challenge where he and his co-stars jumped from a boat into a lake. It's said he was trapped underwater for several minutes after getting entangled in a bungee rope before Bear rescued him.

According to MailOnline, a source said that Laurence was very shaken, as was everyone, and that he thought he was 'a goner' and that Netflix were very, very apologetic about it afterwards.

On the matter, LLB briefly told Radio Times Magazine: "I'm not going to blow too much of the surprise but it was literally, I think, one of the few times I have come face to face with mortality."

Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen was born in Kensington, London in 1965 to Welsh parents and has always felt a strong connection to Wales. He trained as a fine artist, graduating with a degree from the Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts in 1986 and started his own design consultancy in 1989.

Surely down to his memorable Changing Rooms appearances back in 2004, Laurence quickly became famous for his flamboyant design choices, love of maximalism, and charismatic personality which over the decades has propelled him to a long list of other TV shows including DIY SOS and Popstar to Opera Star.

LLB's TV credits include international appearances too, such as a judge in Australian TV series 'House Rules' in 2017 for seasons 5-8 and as a guest judge on BBC's shows Interior Design Masters, presented by Alan Carr in 2021.

In 2021 LLB returned as the presenter and designer for the rebooted version of Changing Rooms and in 2024 presented a new Channel 4 show called Outrageous Homes as well as appearing as a guest on BBC's Homes Under The Hammer to celebrate the show's 100th episode anniversary, alongside friend and original presenter Martin Roberts - find out more about that here.

Laurence first met his wife Jackie Bowen after she was set up on a blind date aged 19, they hit it off immediately and married on June 24, 1989. On June 24, 2024 Laurence posted and photo of himself and Jackie on Instagram, saying, 'Sounds INCONCEIVABLE but this Goddess agreed to be my wife 35 years ago today'.

The couple have two daughters, Cecile and Hermione and four grandchildren and live in a haunted manor house in the Cotswolds. According to website Celebrity Networth, LLB's net worth is around £8.3 million ($10 million).

Celebrity Bear Hunt comes to Netflix on Wednesday 5th February 2025.