Who is in this year’s I’m a Celebrity line up? How will the show work, post-covid? As the world gets used to the ‘new normal’, we are beginning to get hints of what that could mean for the ITV favourite. Let’s explore together.
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! starts in November, leaving just over two months of waiting until the premiere. Though a lot of how things will be different this year is still up in the air, the show is confirmed to still go ahead in the UK, and some hints have been made about the details.
Where will I’m a Celebrity 2020 be set?
With constantly changing travel restrictions, the show will not be set in the Australia, as usual. Producers have announced it will instead take place in the UK.
The first location for the new series is confirmed to be Gwrych Castle in North Wales. Boasting over 250 acres of land, the castle is picturesque but rumoured to be haunted. Australian spiders or ghosts? We’re not sure which is worse.
Hiring Gwrych Castle for the full six weeks reportedly costs over £1m, and speaking on Good Morning Britain, the Mayor of Abergele said the location is going under reconstruction to prepare for the show.
Richard Cowles, director of entertainment at ITV, reportedly said, “The Australian jungle is such an integral part of the show it was a big challenge to find a UK location where we could continue to deliver what viewers love about I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!”
“But Gwrych will definitely do that. The Castle sits in an amazing and atmospheric setting on a hillside overlooking the Irish Sea. While there will be plenty of changes required as we move from New South Wales in Australia to North Wales in the UK, we are really excited to see how we can adapt the format and make the castle our new home for a very special 20th series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! this Autumn.”
Manorafon Farm Park, also in Wales and not far from the castle, has been confirmed as a second location for the show. As of now, it is unclear what challenges will be taking place on the farm.
Who is in the I’m a Celebrity 2020 line up?
Of course, no celebrities have been confirmed by ITV as of yet, but the rumour mill is throwing a few famous faces out there as possible candidates.
According to director of Television at ITV, Kevin Lygo, “We had booked most of our celebs. We were worried they thought they were going for a nice hot, sunny, bug-infested Australia but no —now they’re going into freezing cold north Wales in the dark and British weather. But everybody’s there, everybody’s excited.”
So, it seems no celebs have been turned off by the UK relocation, but who is rumoured to enter the show?
AJ Pritchard
Strictly Come Dancing‘s AJ left the show earlier this year and a source has allegedly said, “Strictly would like to think that no one leaves the show and goes on to bigger things, but AJ will be very popular in the jungle and it’ll be a good platform for him. His deal is all but done and ITV are delighted they’ve been able to prise him away from their rivals.”
Tamzin Outhwaite
The ex-EastEnders actress was reportedly in talks for Strictly instead, but a source alleged, “It’s early days with Tamzin but she’s someone producers have discussed going to Oz in the autumn — and she’s told pals she is 100 per cent not taking part in Strictly.”
Though, this was of course before I’m a Celebrity was confirmed to not be in Oz this year.
Jenny Ryan
The Chase’s resident Vixen, aka Jenny Ryan, caused rumours that she’s going on I’m a Celebrity with a tweet about it, hinting that she’d be fine on the show without the spiders, snakes, and heat.
Kieran Hayler
Katie Price’s ex is reported to follow in her footsteps on the show, and told New! Magazine, “I’d love to go on I’m A Celeb. I think there have been talks but I don’t know for sure.”
“I’d love to do it because I’m into the outdoors anyway so for me it would be really cool. I think it’s just the eating stuff I’d be a bit rubbish at – and it’s closer to home now I’ve heard!”
Christine Quinn
Netflix reality show hit, Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn regularly hosts property features on ITV’s This Morning and is also rumoured to be one of the big names on I’m a Celeb this year.
Baga Chipz
Baga made her name on the UK’s first series of Drag Race on BBC, but the drag queen allegedly said she was booked in for other “huge shows”. “They’re huge telly shows. People will be shocked. One’s in August and the other November.”
With I’m A Celeb both a huge show and set so start in November, it makes perfect sense
What will the challenges be like?
Though it’s unclear how the tasks and trials will look on British soil, all Australian themed tasks are reportedly being cut this year, so we won’t be seeing anything like the dingo dollar challenges.
It’s also reported that the dishes in the eating challenges will be replaced with more local variants, including sheep testicles over the usual kangaroo ones favoured by the show. A little less exotic, but just as repulsive.
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