A film about the life of “Iceman” Wim Hof has been shelved after his former partner made allegations in a Dutch newspaper.
Actor Joseph Fiennes will play the famous extreme athlete who advocates coldness in this biopic.
But development on the film, which has yet to begin filming, has been paused After his ex-partner Caroline claims Hough was physically, sexually and verbally abusive to her during their ten-year relationship.
Hof strongly denies the accusations and says he is taking legal action against Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant, which first reported them.
A spokesman for Genesius Pictures said: “Genesius Pictures can confirm that due to the seriousness of the allegations, the production, which is only in the development stage and has not yet begun filming, has been put on hold.”
Carolyn and Hough’s son Noah, now 21, and her two children from a previous relationship also allege verbal abuse. One of his stepsons, Christian, also accused Hof of physically harming him.
In written responses to 44 questions put to him by the People’s Daily, Hof denied that he had ever acted violently. “Obviously, she [Caroline] Being at war and now wanting everything to look different than before,” he wrote.
“Caroline always knows how to piss me off,” he added.
He said the sexual assault allegations were “all lies.”
De Volksgrant said its story was supported by documents including court, medical and child welfare reports.
In a statement to BBC News, Hof’s eldest son Enam, whose mother is Hof’s late first wife Olaya, said in a statement to BBC News that Hof’s character and his eldest child “do not endorse or Agree with the version of events described in the newspaper’s “negative stories.”
The statement said the reports focused on “a particularly difficult period in Wim’s life.” It added that the stories were “painful and uneven” and that Hough and his son were “working to ensure the full truth is shared to provide a fuller perspective”.
Hof’s son said his father had filed a defamation complaint and planned to take legal action against the newspaper.
Hough is an extreme athlete who claims his breathing techniques and exposure to cold can reduce inflammation in the body and help improve health.
In 2022, the BBC One series Freeze Your Fears with Wim Hof, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Lee Mack, saw eight celebrities trained by the Dutchman to complete challenges in sub-zero temperatures.
