Wim Hof film on hold after abuse allegations

A film about the life of 'Iceman' Wim Hof has been put on hold following allegations made by his former partner in a Dutch newspaper.

Actor Joseph Fiennes was slated to star in the biopic as the famous extreme athlete who advocates cold exposure.

But development of the film, which has not yet started shooting, has been paused after his ex-partner Caroline claimed Hof physically, sexually and verbally abused her during their 10-year relationship.

Hof strongly denies the allegations and says he is taking legal action against the Dutch newspaper, de Volkskrant, which first reported them.

A spokesperson for Genesius Pictures said: "Genesius Pictures can confirm that due to the severity of the allegations, this production, which was in development only and had not begun filming, is on hold."

Caroline and Hof's son Noah, now 21, and her two children from a previous relationship, also allege verbal abuse. One of his step-sons, Christiaan, also accuses Hof of physically harming him.

In his written answer to the 44 questions de Volkskrant put to him, Hof ​​denied having ever been violent. "It is obvious that she [Caroline] is on the warpath and now wants to make everything look different from how it was," he wrote.

"Caroline always knew how to get under my skin," he added.

He said 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 Enahm - whose mother was Hof's late first wife Olaya - said the personality and his oldest children "do not recognise or identify with" the version of events depicted in the newspaper's "negative stories".

The statement said the accounts focused on "a particularly difficult period in Wim's life". It added that the stories were "painful and unbalanced", and that Hof and his son were "working to ensure that the full truth is shared, offering a more comprehensive perspective".

Hof's son said his father had filed a defamation complaint and planned to take legal action against the newspaper.

Hof is an extreme athlete who claims that his breathing techniques and exposure to cold can reduce inflammation in the body and contribute to better health.

In 2022, a BBC One series called Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Lee Mack, saw eight celebrities being trained by the Dutchman to complete challenges in sub-zero temperatures.