"I'm a Celebrity" to relocate to U.K. Castle for 2020

Englishboy

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-53693651

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! will relocate from the Australian jungle to a ruined British castle for this year's series, ITV has said.

The broadcaster said the coronavirus pandemic meant it "just wasn't possible for us to travel and make the show" Down Under as usual.

That means bush tucker trials are out, but ITV promised similarly "gruelling trials and fun-filled challenges".

ITV hasn't revealed the location, apart from saying it's "in the countryside".

It has also not revealed whether the participating celebrities will live in the castle itself or in a camp.

"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," ITV Studios director of entertainment Richard Cowles said.

The company had "pulled out all the stops" to make the series happen in Australia, he said.

"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 said.

"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."

Ant and Dec will present the 20th series, with the winner to be crowned the first king or queen of the castle.

The announcement comes a week after ITV confirmed that the show would definitely return this autumn.

Director of television Kevin Lygo said: "We announced last week that we were doing all we could to make the series and I'm thrilled that we can bring the show to viewers albeit not in the jungle.

"We have a great team both on and off-screen and I know they will produce a hugely entertaining series."

If the show had not gone ahead this year, it would have been a major blow for the channel as well as for viewers.

The 2019 launch show was its most-watched programme of the year, seen by more than 13 million people.

That made it the UK's most popular reality show, and was more than watched the top episodes for Strictly Come Dancing, Britain's Got Talent and The Great British Bake Off.

On Thursday, ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall said the pandemic had put the broadcaster through "one of the most challenging times" in its history.

Advertising revenue for the April-to-June quarter fell by 43%, the company said.
 

Ome

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Interesting.


It doesn't sound great, but I'm more curious than I ever would be with a new show coming.


the same tone and feel will remain."

I don't know how they will be able to do that when the setting is very different, the climate is very different, the challenges will be very different, the timing will obviously be very different.
 

Englishboy

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It's moving to Gwrych castle in north Wales which is apparently haunted.

This made me think that this move could conjure up a number of interesting possibilities.

For example, rather than having bush tucker trials we could have a number of scary trials with viewers voting for the celebrity who they wanted to spend the night alone in a haunted part of the castle.

Producers could then use technology and such like to scare the said celebrity half to death. :)
 

Angela Channing

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It's going to be a very different show. One of the advantages of filming in Australia is that it is daylight there when the show is broadcast which won't be the case if they film in Wales. There is also a greater chance of bad weather so I think a lot more of it will be indoors. Winter in Wales is not going to warm either so will they really have them sleeping outside for 3 weeks in December?
 

Ome

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Producers could then use technology and such like to scare the said celebrity half to death
Yes!

I always loved it when BB had scary tasks and this really does have to happen.



I'm looking forward to this with the kore I read about it.
 

Sarah

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I actually think I might enjoy it this year. I didn’t like the bushtucker trials, but would love scary haunted stuff.

Will all the contestants be from the UK as no one is travelling?
 
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