Stars of I’m A Celebrity will have to battle through a gruesome critter-filled trial named The Gates Of Hell to get their first meal for camp in Sunday’s launch show.
The ten contestants were spotted filming the opening scenes of the 2020 series earlier this week, and teaser pictures for the upcoming series show things are only going to get harder for our pampered stars.
Their first trial sees the group abseiling down a cliff in Anglesey, North Wales and flying over Snowdonia in a helicopter, ahead of arriving at their camp in Gwrych Castle in Abergele.
Gruesome: Stars of I’m A Celebrity will have to battle through a gruesome critter-filled trial named The Gates Of Hell to get their first meal for camp in Sunday’s launch show (pictured, Jordan North)
And viewers will watch the ten terrified celebrities arrive at The Gates To Hell- a huge gatehouse-like building in front of the derelict castle for their next challenge.
Hosting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly greet the stars at the trial, which sees the celebrities locked in dungeon cages, with just 12 minutes to pass ten stars from one side to the other, moving the objects along to their campmates with either their hands or a magnet.
In the upcoming scenes, Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard admits she feels a ‘little apprehensive’ after arriving at the gates – not helped by Ant and Dec warning them to ‘expect the unexpected’.
Trial: Their second petrifying challenge sees the contestants having to work as a team to win ten stars, each worth a meal for camp (pictured L-R, Beverley Callard and Victoria Derbyhire)
It’s arrived! The celebrities braved the chilling temperatures in thermals and red padded gillets
This is hell: Viewers will watch on Sunday’s show the ten terrified celebrities arrive at The Gates To Hell- a huge gatehouse-like building in front of the derelict castle
Locked in: Hosting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly greet the stars for their second petrifying challenge, which sees the celebrities locked in cages, with just 12 minutes to pass ten stars from one side to the other
Once the celebrities are securely locked into their cages with no escape, hoards of cockroaches, crickets and mealworms rain down on their heads in a bid to distract them.
It’s fight or flight for the celebrities as they cruel rules state one star will be deducted from the team’s total for each contestant that utters the famous phrase ‘I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!’.
And if the group opt to skip the trial, then they would be immediately put on an unexciting diet of rice and beans.
Author Giovanna Fletcher jokes: ‘Imagine if we said no.’ To which Dec replies: ‘It would be a very short show.’
Gross! As the trial gets well underway, a squeamish Giovanna, 35, (above) exclaims ‘it’s down my knickers’ as she is covered in creepy-crawlies
No insect repellent here! Once the celebrities are securely locked into their cages with no escape, hoards of cockroaches, crickets and mealworms rain down on their heads in a bid to distract them
Bravery! As mealworms fall in masses on the stars, TV presenter Vernon Kay (pictured) says: ‘Pack it in will you’
Help! The rules state one star is deducted from the team’s total for each contestant that said ‘I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!’ (above, Mo Farah and Jordan North in the challenge)
After the trial gets underway, a squeamish Giovanna, 35, exclaims ‘it’s down my knickers’ as a deluge of nasty critters fall down on her head.
And as floods of mealworms landed on the stars, TV presenter Vernon Kay tells the larva: ‘Pack it in will you.’
Professional dancer AJ Pritchard, 26, gets handed the stars from Vernon and then has to give them to Hollie, who then passed the objects on to Beverley, 63.
But the actress slows things down for the team as she struggles to move the stars through her matrix and send them across to her co-star Jordan North.
Nail-bitting: The first trial saw the group abseiling down a cliff in Anglesey, North Wales, ahead of arriving at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, where they will be staying for the show
Scary! Five celebrities were driven by jeep to the top of the cliff and were responsible for retrieving all 10 rucksacks hanging over the edge of the cliff
Don’t look down! Each contestant was paired with a campmate at the bottom of the cliff, who were tasked with lowering them down the steep cliff face (pictured, Vernon and Mo)
Fear of heights? Some celebrities, including Shane (above), Beverley, AJ, Hollie and Mo, flew over Snowdonia in helicopters and were dropped off at the bottom of a cliff
The grand total of stars that the contestants manage to successfully move across the cages will be revealed when the much-anticipated show airs on Sunday evening.
The other stars of I’m A Celebrity, who also took part in the gruesome challenge, include journalist Victoria Derbyshire, actor Shane Richie, Paralympic gold medallist Hollie Arnold MBE, Sir Mo Farah CBE and soap star Jessica Plummer.
The second terrifying challenge of the series came after five of the ten celebrities had to abseil down a cliff in ahead of arriving at the castle.
The other celebrities, including Shane, Beverley, AJ, Hollie and Mo, flew over Snowdonia in helicopters and were dropped off at the bottom of a cliff.
Supplies: In true reality TV show style, the backpacks were cruelly padlocked to the cliff and would only unlock after answering questions about their fellow campmates
You can do it! Any celebrity (pictured, Vernon and Giovanna) who failed to unlock their rucksack would not have any kit for the first night in the castle
Assistance: Professional climbers were seen talking the celebrities (above, Mo, Hollie and Giovanna) through the challenge to ensure they didn’t hurt themselves
Mystery: Both teams were given a chest containing a scroll, boots and a walkie talkie for the nail-bitting challenge (above, AJ Pritchard)
Meanwhile, the unlucky five celebrities were driven by jeep to the top of the cliff and were responsible for retrieving all 10 rucksacks hanging over the edge of the face.
Each contestant was paired with a campmate at the bottom of the sheer drop, who were tasked with lowering them down the steep cliff face to receive their supplies.
Both teams were given a chest containing a scroll, boots and a walkie talkie for the nail-bitting challenge.
And in true reality TV show style, the backpacks were cruelly padlocked to the cliff and would only unlock after answering questions about their fellow campmates.
Home sweet home! After completing the nail-bitting trial, the campmates entered the living quarters at Gwrych Castle for the first time, where they will spend the duration of the series
Ew! The washroom caused concern with campmates, as Beverley said: ‘It needs a really good clean. Well I’m sorry but no. My hair. I will look like I’ve had Donald Trump’s hairdresser’
Any celebrity who failed to unlock their rucksack would not have any kit for the first night in the derelict castle.
Jessica looked terrified as she squealed while watching her fellow contestants Giovanna and Vernon took on the challenge, while Jordan was sick at the prospect of going down.
Radio host Victoria and Radio 1 DJ Jordan were seen preparing to climb down the cliff with the latter throwing up while putting on his harness.
Seemingly frightened by something she saw, Jessica could be seen shouting in fright while Giovanna and Vernon carefully made their way to the bottom of the cliff.
Professional climbers were seen talking the celebrities through the challenge to ensure they didn’t hurt themselves.
Horrible: This year’s stars will experience the most brutal living conditions in the show’s 20-year history, after ITV relocated from Australia to Wales due to the coronavirus crisis
Nice trip! Shane Richie (left and right) attempted to get into one of the rickety hammocks but immediately fell out the other side, joking that he would be ‘doubling up’ with Mo
Clean and shiny! It was the washroom that caused the most concern amongst the campmates, who deemed the bathroom ‘horrific’ and ‘minging’ (above, Hollie, Jordan and Beverley)
And I’m A Celebrity’s film crew were seen wearing protective face shields and masks for the duration of the shoot so that they complied with strict COVID-19 restrictions.
After completing their first nail-bitting trial, the campmates entered the living quarters at Gwrych Castle for the first time, where they will live for the entire series.
This year’s stars will experience the most brutal living conditions in the show’s 20-year history, after ITV relocated from Australia to Wales due to the coronavirus crisis.
Vernon and Jordan were stunned as they both exclaimed that it was ‘actually a castle’ after arriving at the magnificent medieval looking building.
Luxury living: When arriving in the castle with campmates Mo and AJ, Shane joked: ‘Who knows where the fridge is and the bar?’
Shocked! Jessica Plummer was horrified as she entered the rusted and unclean bathroom which they will have to use for the duration of the show
Whereas Shane joked: ‘Who knows where the fridge is and the bar?’
Victoria enjoyed the company of her campmates, commenting: ‘The vibe from the group at this stage is a very warm one. I think we’re going to have a lot of laughs, there’s some funny people out there.’
But she quickly moved on to complain that the rusty damp bed was ‘hard as nails’ as they walked into the less than luxurious sleeping quarters.
Shane attempted to get into one of the rickety hammocks but immediately fell out the other side, joking that he would be ‘doubling up’ with Mo.
But it was the washroom that caused the most concern amongst the stunned campmates, who deemed the unclean bathroom ‘horrific’ and ‘minging’.
Relocation: I’m A Celebrity is set to return in the new location of Gwrych Castle in Abergele after it was forced to move from Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic
Shorter run: The 2020 series, which starts on Sunday, is expected to last 20 days – two shorter than normal (above, AJ, Mo and Shane arrive at the castle)
Jordan complained: ‘I’ve never seen a more . .. basic is putting it nicely . . horrific bathroom.’
While Beverley said: ‘First of all its minging. It needs a really good clean. Well I’m sorry but no. My hair. I will look like I’ve had Donald Trump’s hairdresser.’
I’m A Celebrity is set to return in the new location of Gwrych Castle in Abergele after it was forced to move from Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 2020 series, which starts on Sunday, is expected to last 20 days – two shorter than normal.
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here airs Sunday at 9pm on ITV.
I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! 2020: Who are the celebrities?
Name: SIR MO FARAH CBE
Age: 37
Claim to fame: The most successful British track athlete in Olympic Games history
Phobias: Any animal that moves
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running
Role in the camp: Cook
Miss most: Coffee, my wife and children
Dream campmate: Samuel L Jackson would be pretty cool
Relationship status: Married
Name: SHANE RICHIE
Age: 56
Phobias: Human faeces. If I see one, it is over! I am hoping the camp toilet will be enclosed
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: Nothing. I don’t think I am that interesting
Role in the camp: Person who will muck in with anything
Miss most: My family and routine at home
Dream campmate: Eric Cantona, any 80s’ pop star or The Roc
Relationship status: Married
Name: BEVERLEY CALLARD
Age: 63
Claim to fame: Corrie legend
Phobias: Ghosts and insects
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People think I am glamorous as I have played Liz for so long but I am not
Role in the camp: Cleaner
Miss most: Dogs and my husband, Jon
Dream campmate: Ricky Gervais – he would keep us all going
Relationship status: Married
Name: AJ PRITCHARD
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Former Strictly professional
Phobias: Heights, claustrophobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People see me with sparkles and fake tan but nobody knows what I am like
Role in the camp: Keeping spirits up and the cleaner
Miss most: My warm and comfy bed
Dream campmate: Any celebrity with an intriguing background
Relationship status: Dating
Name: VERNON KAY
Age: 46
Claim to fame: TV and radio presenter
Phobias: I don’t like being confined underwater!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I think I have always been the same throughout my career – so I don’t have any.
Role in the camp: Person to keep spirits up.
Miss most: My family.
Dream camper: Anybody who has won the Super Bowl!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE
Age: 52
Claim to fame: Award-winning journalist
Phobias: I am not a fan of spiders or confined spaces and I don’t know what I am going to be like when I get there!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t think I have any as people just know me as the news and current affairs person!
Role in the camp: Shoulder to cry on.
Miss most: My boys, husband, dog and Mum.
Dream campmate: Madonna, Gary Lineker and Jamie Oliver to cook for us. I think you could have some really geeky chats with them!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: GIOVANNA FLETCHER
Age: 35
Claim to fame: Author and podcaster
Phobias: Heights. My legs go wobbly and you can’t rationalise it
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I am not that controversial so nothing
Role in the camp: Mum, friend and the giver of hugs
Miss most: My husband, Tom, and my three children
Dream campmate: The Queen, Judi Dench and Ant Middleton so he can help us with all the survival skills
Relationship status: Married
Name: JESSICA PLUMMER
Age: 28
Claim to fame: Former EastEnders actress
Phobias: Arachnophobia, fear of heights –just about every phobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me for who I am rather than my EastEnders character
Role in the camp: Chatterbox and little sister
Miss most: My daughter. It’s going to be the longest we’ve been apart
Dream campmate: Denzel Washington would be awesome. I would listen to every word he said
Relationship status: Single
Name: JORDAN NORTH
Age: 30
Claim to fame: Radio 1 DJ
Phobias: It’s just easier to say what I am not scared of. I have so many phobias
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: On my Radio 1 show, I am always bubbly and energetic but everyone has down moments too, so it will be nice for people to see what I am really like
Role in the camp: Entertainer and the tidy up person –I love a tidy house
Miss most: A nice cool pint of Guinness
Dream campmate: Barack Obama and Liam Gallagher. He would be great entertainment value
Relationship status: Single
Name: HOLLIE ARNOLD MBE
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Paralympic gold medallist
Phobias: Spiders
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t want it to focus on my disability
Role in the camp: Cook/shoulder to cry on
Miss most: My boyfriend, food and my cats
Dream campmate: Michelle Keegan –she is beautiful
Relationship status: Dating