‘I’m A Celebrity’ swap the Australian jungle for a British castle

The coronavirus pandemic halted almost all production of new programmes. ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent could not film the live shows after the pre-recorded auditions came to an end in May. Eastenders has resorted to showing classic episodes and Coronation Street episodes are incorporating social distancing on screen. 

With repeat after repeat on TV, it was about time that ITV gave us something to look forward to.

Last week, ITV announced that I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! will be swapping the Australian jungle for a ruined British castle. It has been rumoured that the castle is nineteenth century Gwrych Castle in Wales, with challenges relating to the haunted location and a medieval theme. 

This year is the 20th series of I’m A Celeb and it has been confirmed that Ant and Dec will be hosting the show. 

The celebrities will be sporting thermals instead of the Australian jungle attire seen in previous series

Covid-19 travel restrictions meant it was impossible to host the show Down Under, meaning the celebrities will be facing a British winter while in the castle. The celebrities will be sporting thermals instead of the Australian jungle attire seen in previous series. 

ITV haven’t given much away about this year’s series, and it will be very interesting to see what they pull out, as well as the A-listers they line-up. 

Celebrities rumoured to be appearing on the show include Vernon Kay, Love Island stars Tommy Fury and Amy Hart, former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard and even Carole Baskin. 

It will most likely be the case that the celebrities and production crew will have to self-isolate for 14 days and undertake Covid-19 tests before they can enter the castle. 

The beginning of the series usually sees the celebrities arriving in fancy designer outfits on speed boats before they embark on their first challenge. Being in a castle, I’d like to see the celebrities arriving on horses or ziplining in. 

Even if the camp is based inside the castle, I imagine a nineteenth century building will not be any warmer!

ITV has not yet confirmed the sleeping arrangements in the castle, but if the celebrities are sleeping outside, that will certainly be a challenge in November. Even if the camp is based inside the castle, I imagine a nineteenth century building will not be any warmer! 

Bear Grylls has issued a warning to this year’s contestants that the conditions could be the toughest yet. 

As for food, ITV bosses confirmed that a diet of rice and beans will remain in this series. The Australian delicacies served to the celebrities after winning stars in bushtucker trials, like kangaroo and eel may be swapped for British alternatives. Perhaps we’ll be seeing marmite and haggis served to the celebrities? 

I’m a massive fan of ITV’s reality shows, especially I’m A Celeb and every year I make an effort to watch the daily episodes for three weeks at the end of November and early December. 

I was starting to lose interest in the last few series, with the same old eating challenges and bug filled containers having been used every year since the show began in 2002. 

Although I’m A Celeb was still raking in huge viewing numbers, with the last series being seen by more than 13 million people, I really wanted the show to mix things up. I think this new series will be the perfect time for a revamp. 

Perhaps we’ll be seeing marmite and haggis served to the celebrities? 

There have been some suggestions that bushtucker trials will be axed, especially due to animal welfare laws in the UK, which I think is a step in the right direction. Laws in the UK strongly advise against the use of live creatures for entertainment. 

As for the Dingo Dollar challenges, I hope ITV swaps Kiosk Kev for a castle inspired knight or jester. 

As social distancing is implemented on set, TV shows are unlikely to look the same for the foreseeable future. 

The announcement of the new series of I’m A Celeb was well needed in these far from normal times and I am very much looking forward to seeing what new elements ITV introduces in November.