I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is back – but not as you know it.
This year’s series will look completely different to previous years. Here is everything you need to know about the show:
– Who is taking part?
This year’s line-up consists of 10 celebrities, including Olympian Sir Mo Farah, actress Jessica Plummer, Corrie star Bev Callard, former Strictly dancer AJ Pritchard, TV presenter Vernon Kay and Paralympic gold medallist Hollie Arnold.
They are joined by BBC Radio 1 DJ Jordan North, author Giovanna Fletcher, journalist Victoria Derbyshire and former EastEnders favourite Shane Richie.
Producers reportedly have other celebrities waiting in the wings.
– Where is the show taking place this year?
The coronavirus crisis meant the annual jaunt Down Under was all but impossible, leaving ITV with the task of finding a new location.
Their search for a replacement for the Australian jungle led them to a castle in North Wales.
– Tell me more about the castle
Gwrych Castle, in Abergele – a 19th century Grade I-listed building – has been transformed to make sure it is a fitting venue for I’m A Celebrity, though it is certainly different to what previous campmates experienced.
While stars in series past were surrounded by the untamed and unforgiving Australian outback, this year’s camp sits in hills overlooking the A55 bypass and Welsh coastline.
– Wales in November? Sounds like they drew the short straw…
Luckily for the celebs, their living and sleeping quarters are inside the castle so they should be largely protected from the elements.
But they will need to use a wood splitter to chop logs for the campfire to keep warm and they have to pump a boiler to provide enough hot water to wash away any dirt from that green, green grass.
– What about Bushtucker Trials?
I’m A Celebrity is famous for its tough challenges, often bringing stars uncomfortably close with all manner of creatures, however these too will reportedly be different this year.
According to the Mirror, celebs will trade the traditional nervous walk over the bridge for a journey down crumbling stone stairs, where they will find the trials.
Instead of taking place in the morning, as they did in Australia due to the time difference, this year they will be taking place during the night and stars may be up until 3am.
– What safety measures are in place?
Due to the pandemic, the crew on set will have to wear proximity buzzers to ensure social distancing guidelines are adhered to.
There will be a limit on the number of workers on site, ITV said, with an emphasis on remote working from London and temperature checks on arrival in Wales.
As they did when hosting Britain’s Got Talent, Ant and Dec have formed a close contact cohort. This means they can work together as long as they are tested every three days.