I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! bosses are going to extreme lengths to stop coronavirus from ruining the show.
All crew have been ordered to constantly wash hands, wear face masks when not at their desks and work facing away from each other in a bid to stop the deadly bug from spreading on set.
They also have to take a fast-turnaround Covid test twice a week and self-isolate should it come back positive.
The trials will also be tweaked to adhere to the social distancing guidelines and the production team at the castle will be about half the size it is when the series is made in Australia, with many working remotely in London.
I’m A Celebrity hosts Ant and Dec have began filming at Gwyrch Castle (Image: Instagram)
Dr Paul Litchfield, ITV’s independent chief medical officer, said: “The procedures and protocols developed aim to provide defence in depth against the coronavirus, applying industry best practice while always adhering to government and local guidelines.”
In addition to swapping the Australian jungle for Gwyrch Castle in Wales, producers have reportedly drawn up a “Covid management plan” that includes those on site wearing “proximity buzzers” to remind them to social distance, while hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are set to be tested every three days.
The celebrities taking part in the forthcoming 20th series of the gruelling ITV show began self-isolating two weeks ago and will form a bubble once the series starts on Sunday.
The celebrities taking part in the show began self-isolating two weeks ago and will form a bubble once the series starts on Sunday (Image: PA)
The famous faces have been regularly tested, which led to one of them – reportedly Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard – testing positive and being monitored, and will continue to be screened every three days once in camp.
The set moving from Oz to a chilly haunted castle is not the only change fans will need to get used to this year.
Viewers tuning in on Sunday will immediately notice the difference to the show’s iconic logo which has been changed to reflect the more cloudy, inclement weather, which means that instead of showering under a waterfall, the contestants are more likely to be soaked by rain.
Sir Mo Farah, Victoria Derbyshire, Giovanna Fletcher, Jordan North, Beverley Callard are among the familiar faces who have signed up to bed in Gwyrch Castle.
AJ Pritchard, Vernon Kay, Jessica Plummer, Hollie Arnold MBE and Shane Ritchie have also signed up to take part in the show.
Who will be crowned the first-ever King or Queen of the Castle?
I’m A Celebrity kicks off on ITV on Sunday at 9pm
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
