Bear Grylls is back with Netflix’s newest reality competition series, where he’ll be imparting his survival wisdom to a star-studded cast that includes ex-Spice Girl Mel B, Inbetweeners’ Joe Thomas, and former tennis ace Boris Becker.
But the twist? Grylls will be testing their skills by tracking them down in the wilds of Costa Rica’s jungle.
Yet, what do we really know about the man behind the daredevil escapades?
Born Edward Michael Grylls on June 7, 1974, in Donaghadee, Co Down, Bear holds Irish citizenship—a fact he’s expressed immense pride in, especially post-. His early years were spent in Northern Ireland before relocating to the UK.
Bear’s mother, Sarah Ford, who became Lady Sarah Grylls, is considered “fully Irish” by her son due to her upbringing by an Irish mother.
Bear Grylls is ‘proud’ to be an Irish citizen (Image: We Love TV)
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His maternal grandmother, Patricia Ford, was a trailblazing Ulster Unionist MP for North Down and the first female MP from Northern Ireland, succeeding her father Sir Walter Smiles following a by-election held after his death, .
Bear’s father was Sir Michael Grylls, who served as an MP for Surbiton. The moniker ‘Bear’ was coined by his elder sister when he was barely a week old, and it has remained ever since.
A young Grylls attended Eton College, where he co-founded a mountaineering club, and later graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Spanish and German.
He was a member of the Territorial Army, serving with the 21 SAS from 1994 to 1997, but his military tenure came to an abrupt end after a harrowing accident where his parachute malfunctioned during a 16,000-foot drop, resulting in him breaking three vertebrae.
Miraculously, he survived one of the highest falls ever without a working parachute. Just 18 months post-recovery, he conquered Mount Everest at the tender age of 23, becoming one of the youngest climbers to do so.
Bear Grylls was awarded an OBE in 2019 (Image: Getty Images)
Before embarking on this monumental climb, there was a significant moment in his personal life as he met his future wife, Shara Cannings Knight, in quite an unusual manner. On New Year’s Eve in 1998, he found himself running naked on a Scottish beach, attempting to retrieve his clothes from the water, and thought it was the “worst timing in the world to fall in love.”
The couple later had three sons: Jesse, Marmaduke, and Huckleberry, initially raising them on a houseboat on the River Thames, complete with an outdoor bath, hammock, and canoe. Nowadays, they divide their time between a swanky penthouse in the revamped Battersea Power Station and a secluded island off the coast of Wales.
Bear is said to have bought Saint Tudwal’s Island West in 2001 for £95,000. Located near the Llyn Peninsula and five miles from shore, the 20-acre island hosts a quaint lighthouse keeper’s cottage, albeit lacking mains electricity or running water. Despite the rustic conditions, Bear has expressed his fondness for island life.
Bear Grylls has opened up about the cherished moments he’s experienced at his island retreat, telling fans: “We’ve made some amazing memories living there and spending time with the boys on the island over the years, and just being able to have that space and enjoy nature, has been really special.”
The adventurer also reminisced about his unique London residence in a chat with MailOnline back in 2015, saying: “As a family, we didn’t just want a run-of-the-mill townhouse or riverside development, we were attracted to Battersea Power Station because it was a chance to own a bit of history that we could pass on down through the family.”
He continued: “We have moored our houseboat barge in Battersea for many years, and are proud to keep that still, but to be able to buy within this landmark building and own that small slice of London history felt like a very special opportunity. It will make a very unique home.”
Beyond his thrilling TV escapades, Bear holds the title of honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College and served as the youngest ever Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories from 2015 until 2024. His commitment to public service extends to his role as an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, and he was honoured with an OBE in 2019 for his contributions.
Celebrity Bear Hunt is streaming on .