It’s one of the nation’s best-loved shows, but I’m A Celeb! was hanging in the balance this year amid the pandemic and the travel restrictions that come with it.
But viewers breathed a sigh of relief when ITV confirmed the show would be going ahead in December – only with a drastically different set-up, with beloved hosts Ant & Dec and the celebrities now being shipped to Gwrych Castle in Wales.
ITV has revealed the series will take place at the 200-year-old haunted country house, rather than its usual location in New South Wales in Australia, where celebrities will compete to be crowned King or Queen of the Castle.
Rumoured changes also include the stars swapping their uniform of shorts and tank tops for thermals and taking on the challenges in the evening, rather than the morning, due to the time difference – while their restricted diet of rice and beans and the tasks-and-prizes format will stay the same.
But pre-production for the show has already been thrown into chaos as reports claimed the show was under threat due to Wales’ recent strict lockdown as well as torrential rain in October forcing the team to spend a week drying out the flooded castle.
Former contestant and self-confessed I’m A Celeb! megafan Nicola McLean tells Closer she isn’t sure how smoothly this year’s series is going to run.
She says, “Initially I thought they should have just cancelled this year – I couldn’t see how it could be the same, being in an old castle. But now I’m intrigued to see how they’ll pull it off.
“Being in the jungle is a totally different environment to what we were all used to, so definitely added to the challenge of it all. You never knew what you’d come across – maybe an iguana, a snake or a huntsman spider in camp. And the mosquitoes were hell – I got horrendously bitten. That’s something they won’t have this year, as the UK will be familiar to them all. Homesickness was also an issue – it was so hard in there knowing that my family were on the other side of the world.
“But the weather was definitely a pro for us, being in the warmth. The miserable rain – or snow – and winds won’t be pleasant for this year’s contestants at all.”
Check out: I'm A Celeb 2020 rumoured line-up
I'm A Celeb 2020 rumoured contestants - slider
1 of 21Jessie J
I'm A Celeb bosses have allegedly approached Jessie J following reports that they want to book "top talent to keep viewers hooked". We hope we get to see Channing Tatum waiting at the bridge for her, tbh.
2 of 21Vernon Kay
Vernon Kay has apparently signed up for I'm A Celeb 2020 following a rumoured £250,000 pay check.
3 of 21Beverley Callard
Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard is reportedly heading on the reality show later this year after she quit the cobbles in 2019.
4 of 21Eric Cantona
ITV bosses apparently want to sign football legend Eric Cantona because of his 'bizarre comments'. Speaking to The Sun, show producer Richard Cowles admitted, "I just like the idea of Eric Cantona talking in French and coming up with really profound things. That would be good."
5 of 21Tommy Fury
There's been odds that Tommy Fury could be heading onto I'm A Celeb but we doubt it because he's training for boxing and it's well known that all the celeb lose a LOT of weight in the jungle.
6 of 21Lucy Fallon
She played Bethany Platt on Corrie but there's been speculation that we could be seeing Lucy Fallon on I'm A Celeb later this year.
7 of 21Jasmine Armfield
It's also been rumoured that Jasmine Armfield - aka EastEnders' Bex Fowler - could be going on the show. We wonder if she'll following in the footsteps as Jacqueline Jossa and become queen of the jungle...
8 of 21Paul Merson
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson could be heading on the ITV show after he opened up about struggling with gambling.
9 of 21Matt Baker
After quitting The One Show, there's been reports that Matt Baker could be going on I'm A Celeb. This is what we want to see tbh.
10 of 21Tamzin Outhwaite
Former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite is rumoured to be going on the show later this year.
11 of 21AJ Pritchard
AJ Pritchard on I'm A Celeb? OK, this we've got to see. According to The Sun, the dancer is "keen to show people that there is a lot more to him" following his time on Strictly.
12 of 21Ben Shephard
Ben Shephard recently announced he's taking a break from Good Morning Britain which has led to rumours speculating that he could be heading for I'm A Celeb.
13 of 21Carole Baskin
Tiger King's Carole Baskin has apparently been offered 'big money' to star on I'm A Celeb. We would LOVE to see her doing Bushtucker trials but we doubt she'll want to eat any animals alive...
14 of 21Jenny Ryan
Following her jaw-dropping stint on The X Factor: Celebrity, The Chase quizzer Jenny Ryan (aka The Vixen) has dropped a HUGE hint she's taking part in I'm A Celeb after its new location was announced. Taking to Twitter, she wrote, "My main reservations about doing I'm A Celeb have always been 1. The Spiders 2. The Snakes 3. The Heat. This could be a big opportunity for ol' Jenny."
15 of 21Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls is the new bookies' favourite to join the cast of I'm A Celeb and we're sure his potential campmates would love it if he took part. The survival expert would be in his element on the show tbh.
16 of 21Martin Kemp
Martin Kemp, who first rose to fame in 80s band Spandau Ballet before starring in EastEnders, is reportedly in talks with I'm A Celeb bosses a year after his son Roman finished in third place behind soap stars Jacqueline Jossa and Andrew Whyment in the 2019 final.
17 of 21Lauren Simon
Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lauren Simon dropped a MAJOR hint she was headed for the castle with a very cryptic instagram post, but some thought it meant she was expecting...
18 of 21Rylan
Ok, so it wasn't exactly confirmation but everyone's favourite TV personality Rylan Clark-Neal didn't say he WASN'T up for it. Speaking to heat of the 2020 relocation, he said, "Well, I might do it now. "No, I'm totally joking. I've always said I'd never go on the show, because of the 24-hour flight, so now everyone is saying I can finally do it. "Abso-f-cking-lutely no way. Lording it up in a castle sounds lovely, but I know it won't be as easy as it sounds."Boo :(
19 of 21Mo Farah
Olympic champion runner Mo Farah has reportedly been snapped up by I'm A Celeb bosses as one of two last minute signings.
20 of 21Keith Duffy
The second last minute signing is believed to be Boyzone singer and former Coronation Street star Keith Duffy.
21 of 21Shane Richie
EastEnders icon Shane Richie - who played Alfie Moon in the BBC soap - is the latest TV star to reportedly sign up for the show. It's claimed he's heading into quarantine for the next two weeks before the launch show next month.
Over the years, we’ve seen celebs complete Bushtucker Trials – which have included trudging through the jungle completing tasks or, most famously, eating challenges, where contestants are made to eat disgusting delicacies like cockroaches or kangaroo anus.
And Nicola, 39, says that they’ll have to completely rethink the tasks this year.
She says, “I think viewers can be entertained watching the celebs eating exotic things – like the crocodile feet I had to eat. But if this year they use local animals or bugs that are found in Wales it may cause controversy and spark Ofcom complaints. It’s all a bit closer to home, so it’ll be tough to adapt that.
“I suspect they’ll really run with the ‘haunted house’ theme, too – making contestants do spooky challenges where people jump out at them. But if the contestants aren’t spiritual or don’t believe in ghosts, is it going to work?”
WATCH: I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star Nicola McLean gives us a house tour
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Celebrities are usually treated to a taste of luxury before they head into the jungle – with first-class plane tickets and lavish five-star resorts in the days leading up to their admission into the jungle.
And Nicola admits this was one of the best parts of the experience, saying, “I remember sipping Champagne on the flight over, shacking up in the amazing hotel, and partying before and after the time in the jungle. What are they going to do this year, stay in a bed-and-breakfast?
“But, at the end of the day, viewers just love the vibe of the show, and to watch how the celebrities react, their teamwork and their interactions. So, if that’s all still there, I’m sure it’ll be great. Who knows, it could be the best one yet.”
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Series 20 is due to start on ITV later this month.
Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week.