Lee Mack reveals the REAL reason Holly Willoughby’s show Freeze The Fear was axed

Lee Mack has revealed the real reason why Holly Willoughby’s ice challenge show Freeze The Fear was axed after it received a frosty reception.

The series, hosted by Holly, 42, and Lee, 55, saw eight celebrities embark on a unique adventure under the training of extreme athlete Wim Hof, 64.

However, last month it was revealed that the show would not be returning, and now Lee has revealed that this is because the program was boring.

Speak with The sun, the comedian said: ‘Cold water celebrities didn’t make as exciting television as they thought.’

The likes of Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and former gymnast Gabby Logan took part in the first series in 2022.

Speaking to The Sun, the comedian revealed that this was because the show was boring, as he explained: ‘Cold water celebrities weren’t making as exciting television as they thought’

Although it won’t be returning, Lee admitted, “I liked it.” I was booked as a cynical comedian.’

Holly returned to ITV in January, where she co-presented the new series of Dancing On Ice with Stephen Mulhern.

The role marks her first return to the network since quitting the show last October following an alleged kidnap and murder plot.

Last month it was revealed that Freeze The Fear would not be returning, as reported by a TV insider The sun: ‘This bad news caps an extremely difficult year for Holly, which has seen her drastically rethink her life and career.

‘Axing Freeze the Fear reduces her options and leaves a question mark over where she goes after leaving her biggest gig as co-host of This Morning.

‘It’s also disappointing for her husband Dan, who runs the Hungry Bear production company that made the show.

‘But they will be comforted by the fact that they will be providing Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and Gladiators for BBC One this month.’

A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘As it stands, there are no immediate plans for a new series of Freeze The Fear on the BBC.’

The likes of Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell, actress Tamzin Outhwaite (centre) and former gymnast Gabby Logan took part in the first series

Freeze the Fear, hosted by Holly, 42 (right), and Lee Mack, 55 (left), saw eight celebrities embark on a unique adventure under the training of extreme athlete Wim Hof, 64

The show was based on Wim, also known as The Iceman, putting the VIPs through a series of challenges to test their limits, both physically and mentally.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Holly for comment.

Speculation about the future of Freeze the Fear has increased since its first broadcast in 2022.

In January last year it was reported that the program had been put on hold and that no work had been done on the second series at that time.

The series saw Holly return to the BBC after almost a decade, even taking time off from This Morning in January 2022 to film it.

A source said The sun last January: ‘Since 2004, Holly has worked almost exclusively for ITV as one of the channel’s most highly regarded presenters.

‘So it was a big deal in the industry that she jumped to the BBC and showed that she was really confident that Freeze the Fear would be a huge success. But as it stands now, no work has been done on a second series yet.’

The show was based on Wim, also known as The Iceman, putting the VIPs through a series of challenges to test their limits, both physically and mentally.

Holly returned to ITV in January, where she co-presented the new series of Dancing On Ice with Stephen Mulhern

It comes after Holly resigned from This Morning in October (pictured in September 2023) after she was ultimately ‘tipped over the edge’ by an alleged ‘kidnapping and murder plot’

Each week, celebrities took on grueling challenges, which gradually became more daring as the series progressed.

With Wim’s encouragement, the celebrities learned to reap the benefits of cold water therapy and were confronted with a unique test of mental strength.

Wim has dedicated his life to showing others that they can achieve things they thought were impossible.

He has previously used special techniques to control his mind and body as he ran a half marathon above the Arctic Circle barefoot, immersed himself in ice for 1 hour and 52 minutes and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in just his shorts and shoes .

“There is a natural power in the cold,” he said earlier. “When we embrace it, the magic happens.

“This isn’t about being tough. It’s about taking ownership of the power of your own mind.”