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Where is I'm A Celebrity UK being filmed and what are the new coronavirus rules?
15 November 2020, 10:00
I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! will be taking place in the UK this year following coronavirus travel restrictions – but where is the filming location?
I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! is being filmed UK for the first time this year.
The 20th series, starring Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as hosts, was forced to change plans last minute due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
Boarder restrictions meant it was impossible for the show to be filmed in Australia as usual, and so the ITV team have got creative.
Instead of the King or Queen of the jungle, the contestants are fighting for the chance to be the King or Queen of the Castle.
Here's everything we know so far:
Where in the UK is I'm A Celebrity 2020 being filmed?
This year’s I’m A Celebrity is being filmed at Gwrych Castle in a town called Abergele, county Conwys, North Wales.
The 200-year-old medieval castle dates back to 1810, with many believing it’s haunted.
Gwrych Castle is set within 250 acres of gardens and grounds and has incredible views across the Irish Sea.
Speaking of the changes, 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."
What are the new coronavirus rules of I'm A Celebrity?
As far as we can tell, the way the show works will remain the same.
Celebrities will still have to take part in gruelling challenges in order to eat, and the usual rice and beans will also be back.
However, ITV has now published a 'Covid management plan' which details strict measures the cast and crew must take to stay safe during the pandemic.
The crew are wearing buzzers that go off when they come too close to one another, while bosses have also halved the number of on-site staff, with many working remotely in London.
There is limited production access to the celebrity contestants, who have all formed a 'bubble'.
After quarantining for two weeks beforehand, this means they can live together, as long as they are given Covid-19 tests every three days.
Ant and Dec have also formed a bubble and will be given regular coronavirus tests.
Visitors are also banned from the site, while there are daily temperature checks and handwashing stations around the set.
Crew members are also wearing masks when not at their desks and will also have to take a rapid coronavirus test twice a week and self-isolate if it returns a positive result.
