Inside Holly Willoughby's farewell dinner: Presenter hosts star-studded boozy ... trends now
Holly Willoughby gathered her famous friends and loved ones on Wednesday evening to say her goodbyes ahead of a two-month trip to Costa Rica.
The presenter, 43, is jetting to Central America this month with co-host Bear Grylls, 49, to film her upcoming jungle survival show Bear Hunt, which will see 10 celebrities put to the test in the treacherous terrain.
Ensuring she was sent off in style, the mother-of-three gathered pals including Christine Lampard and Nicola Appleton for a farewell supper at Mexican cantina Ixchel on the King’s Road.
The Chelsea eatery is a celebrity hotspot loved by the likes of Poppy Delelvingne, Lisa Snowdon and Jaime Winstone and even has the royal seal of approval - with Princess Beatrice a fan.
For Holly's intimate soiree, the group booked out a private room at the venue, owned by restauranteur Fraser Carruthers, and was treated to a tasting menu with personalised cocktails.
Holly Willoughby hosted a star-studded boozy soiree at royal hotspot Ixchel on the King’s Road on Thursday ahead of her two-month trip to Costa Rica to film survival show Bear Hunt (pictured in 2023)
Diners sipped on tequila based cocktails - or mocktails - at the restaurant, which has been compared to a Mexican nightclub before nibbling on her special 'Full Moon' menu
Diners sipped on tequila based cocktails - or mocktails - at the restaurant, which has been compared to a Mexican nightclub before nibbling on her special 'Full Moon' menu that included the likes of pork belly tacos and crispy potatoes, finished off with tres leches cake.
Holly's friends had gathered not just to wish her farewell but congratulate her on landing her first show away from terrestrial television.
The Wylde Moon founder, who quit ITV's This Morning last October, will host the programme, which has been described by television insiders a more challenging version of the BBC's Survivor.
She will oversee as the celebrity contestants - who have yet to be announced - take on Bear Grylls in the jungle.
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 Bear's company, will see him pursue celebrity contestants and when he catches them, they will be eliminated.
Holly's new job was finalised just days after Cat Deeley replaced her on This Morning, five months after she announced her departure.
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.
The presenter, 43, is jetting to Central America this month with co-host Bear Grylls, 49, to film Netflix's Bear Hunt, which will see 10 celebrities put to the test in the treacherous terrain
Ensuring she was sent off in style, the mother-of-three gathered pals including Christine Lampard and Nicola Appleton for a farewell supper (pictured with L-R Nicole, Christine, Shiarra Bell, Niki de Metz and Emma Bunton in January)
'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 is familiar with jungle surroundings after she hosted I'm A Celeb alongside Declan Donnelly in 2018 - the highest rated series ever.
She took on the job as a stand-in for Ant McPartlin who was in rehab for alcohol and painkiller addictions, and she was hailed a huge success.
There are some differences between the Central American jungles and the Australian outback, however.
Netflix producers are said to have shelled out £1 million to keep the team safe from drugs gangs and kidnappers in Costa Rica which has seen a massive uptick in gang and drug violence in recent years.
