This year’s contestants on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! will be swapping sunny Australia for cold North Wales.
ITV bosses did everything they could to try and get the show to air in Oz as usual.
But despite their best efforts, coronavirus has affected the way filming will continue.
The show’s format was rethought by execs, and now the upcoming series will be very different from the others.
The first huge change is the show’s primary location – it will now be filmed at Gwrych Castle in windy North Wales.
Scenes will be filmed around the castle for the 20th season of the popular show, but there’s a surprise in store for stars as it’s claimed to be haunted.
Gwrych Castle in Abergele (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)
Locals have suggested the ghost of the Duchess can be seen floating above a first floor window as there are no floorboards in the room.
It’s also claimed ghosts of former gamekeepers and a servant girl who died on the ground have materialised on the land.
As well as potentially facing ghosts and ghouls, reports have also suggested celebrities could compete to win hot water in trials, in a bid to keep warm during the cold November weather.
This isn’t the only change that the show will have, as the Bushtucker Trials are expected to be impacted.
Ant and Dec have teased plans for the show (Image: ITV)
I’m a Celeb usually airs at 9pm UK time – which would be 6am the next day in New South Wales, with fans at home being able to watch the stars wake up.
Trials are filmed on the previous day so hosts Ant and Dec can reveal who will be doing it later that day.
But due to the change, the Geordie duo will greet campmates in the evening instead.
With the time change, could this mean contestants will do the trials at night? It would certainly add to the eerie atmosphere.
They are excited for the new series (Image: ITV)
ITV are making another huge change to the set up for 2020 – with the first ever switch-up in how the contestants will be sleeping.
Fans of the long-running reality TV show will know participants sleep in hammocks outside in the jungle.
But this year things will be different as show bosses will have to rearrange sleeping plans due to the virus.
I’m A Celeb bosses are said to be making plans to provide a makeshift roofed camp for the celebrities to sleep inside.
The stars will also be provided with thermals amid fears many might quit if the filming conditions prove too bleak and cold.
Presenting pair Ant and Dec have commented on the changes which are being made by TV bosses.
They will be hosting the new series (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Speaking on the RTE show, Ant said: “We’re going to pack the thermals because it’s going to be very cold.
“You know there’s a curiosity factor to it, how at they going to do it, who’s going to do it, what is it going to feel like when we get there?
“We’re kind of talking to the team now, there’s going to be subtle changes, big changes and subtle changes, but ultimately we’re going to try and keep the ethos of the show there and let’s see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Richard Cowles, Director of Entertainment at ITV Studios said: “We pulled out all the stops to try and make the series happen in Australia.
It’s thought the programme will rearrange a lot (Image: Getty Images)
“Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and despite us looking at many different contingencies, it became apparent that it just wasn’t possible for us to travel and make the show there.
“However, we are all really excited about a UK version of I’m A Celebrity. While it will certainly be different producing the show from the UK, the same tone and feel will remain.
“Our celebrities will probably have to swap shorts for thermals but they can still look forward to a basic diet of rice and beans and plenty of thrills and surprises along the way.”
•I’m A Celebrity returns to ITV in November
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
