With coronavirus cancelling most of our TV plans for the year -Love Island, we’re looking at you - we’re all hoping that I’m A Celebrity and it’s bushtucker trials and tribulations will bring some much needed normality back to our telly schedules. Now, we're even more excited, as ITV has confirmed surrounding the filming location. And yes, it will take place in a Welsh castle.
A press release sent out today - in both English and Welsh - announced that Gwrych Castle in Abergele will be the setting of the next series.
'With views of the beautiful Welsh countryside, Gwrych Castle is nestled in a tree lined hillside overlooking the Irish Sea', reads the announcement. 'The atmospheric ruined castle with its sprawling design and turrets is spread across 250 acres of gardens and grounds.'
'Ant & Dec will host an adapted version of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! live every night on ITV from the castle this Autumn. As on the regular series, viewers will see the celebrities undertake grueling trials and fun-filled challenges to win food and treats in the lead up to one of them being crowned, for the first time ever, King or Queen of the Castle.'
But who will be heading in? The list is yet to be revealed but the latest rumours suggested that Selling Sunset star Christine Quinn could be heading to our fair lands.
We're just glad it's happening at all. Apparently ITV were desperate for the show to go ahead and they have now confirmed that they're all set for a 2020 series. Phew.
But it's going to look very different this year, with the broadcaster confirming last that it's going to happen in from a 'ruined castle in the countryside'... In the UK. Richard Cowles, Director of Entertainment at ITV Studios said: 'We pulled out all the stops to try and make the series happen in Australia. 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.'
He added, '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.' We're sure they'll be delighted.
The new location is 'right next to a popular dogging site'. The paper reports that a website called 'hookup spots in Abergele, Conwy' says: 'Path leading to Gwrych Castle. Oh happy nights. Close to town yet far away enough for some activity with a fair maiden.'
From soap legends to popstars, here's who we could be voting for towards the end of the year.
The rumoured Iu2019m A Celebrity line-up - Grazia
1 of 13Carole Baskin
Hey all you cool cats and kittens. Carole Baskin has apparently been offered 'big money' to parachute into the jungle, according to The Sun. Somehow, we think Big Cat Rescue's Carole would thrive in the jungle. And if anyone can bring flower crowns back in style, it's her.
2 of 13Jessie J
The singer, who once famously won the Chinese version of X Factor, has reportedly been offered a large Price Tag (sorry) to jet to Australia. We reckon she wouldn't be able to stop singing and that she'd give us all the goss about Channing Tatum. So sign her up.
3 of 13Paul Merson
The former England footballer, who recently revealed he was struggling with a gambling addiction, has apparently been offered a slot on the show. 'Paul is really keen to relaunch his TV career and thinks this is the best way to do it after he's seen what it has done for his mate Harry Redknapp, but he needs it to be worth his while and is negotiating for a top price,' a source told The Sun. Makes sense.
4 of 13Charles Ingram
It wouldn't be the first TV show the Ingrams have appeared on after the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire cheating scandal, but Quiz has put Charles and Diana back into the public eye - so Charles would be a big win for ITV bosses. In fact, we're not the only ones who think so, as bookies have given him odds of just 3/1.
5 of 13Vernon Kay
ITV have reportedly been trying to get the Bolton TV presenter in the jungle for two years. And they might sway it this year, as he's apparently been offered an eye-watering £250,000. An insider told The Mirror: 'Everyone's so pleased to have Vernon on board, he's a lovely guy, full of down-to-earth northern charm and perfect for the show.'
6 of 13AJ Pritchard
Curtis Pritchard's older brother has reportedly been approached for the show, too. The former Strictly pro has spoken about it before on The Steph Show, teasing: 'Well, let me put it like this, I've just cleaned out the loft as my mum has a list of jobs for us to do. The amount of spiders up there, I was screaming my head off. So, if anything like that did happen, it would be hilarious – that's for sure!'
7 of 13Beverley Callard
The Coronation Street legend was, according to The Mirror, the first celebrity to be signed up for this year's series... So, will we be voting for her soon?
8 of 13Lucy Fallon
Another former Corrie favourite, Lucy was rumoured to be heading into the jungle last year. With Jacqueline Jossa taking the crown last year, we can imagine bosses are keen to get another young soap star in a hat and cargo trousers.
9 of 13Eric Cantona
Another football star has apparently been top of ITV's list, with The Sun reporting show producer Richard Cowles saying, 'I just like the idea of Eric Cantona talking in French and coming up with really profound things. That would be good.'
10 of 13Tamzin Outhwaite
The latest name rumoured for the jungle is none other than Eastenders legend Tamzin Outhwaite, with ITV apparently keen for her to take part. A source told The Sun{
11 of 13Ben Shephard
According to the Metro, Good Morning Britain favourite Ben Shephard is also a favourite with the bookies to face the jungle challenges. It follows Kate Garraway's appearance last year.
12 of 13Baga Chipz
Baga Chipz is stunning, Baga Chipz is class, Baga Chipz... could be on I'm A Celebrity this year after appearing on Celebrity Masterchef. Recently Baga added fuel to the fire, tweeting, '3 photoshoots done today. And 3 TV shows confirmed. Today's been a good day.'
13 of 13Christine Quinn
Selling Sunset's breakaway star is rumoured to be joining the show. The castle may be less luxurious than her usual mansions, but we're sure she could sell it in a heartbeat.
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