It’s not as glamorous as it seems presenting I’m a Celebrity.
With 2am wake ups and long hours filming it becomes a gruelling gig for ITV star hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.
So Declan Donnelly has flown with his wife Ali Astall, 45, their children Isla, six, and Jack, two, and their longtime nanny to Brisbane a week ahead of the 24th series to enjoy a holiday.
Having presented the ITV flagship show for 22 years, the 49-year-old stays in the same £1,000 a night penthouse apartment and has become known as a VIP among the locals.
Struggling with jet-lag, the family of four emerged at midday yesterday to their regular spot, The Socials, opposite their apartment where they enjoyed a quiet breakfast watched over by five security guards.
Declan Donnelly has flown with his wife Ali Astall, 45, their children Isla, six, and Jack, two, and their longtime nanny to Brisbane a week ahead of the 24th series to enjoy a holiday
Dec and talent manager Ali, who have been married since 2015, ordered the same £13 breakfast of scrambled eggs, avocado and bacon, while the children had waffles and nutella.
They were joined by their longtime nanny who has accompanied the family on the trip of a lifetime since 2019 when she did a skydive as her employers watched on.
One onlooker told MailOnline: ‘They appeared rather dazed and didn’t speak much apart from to their security who were keeping an eye out at all times.
‘At one point Dec spoke to a waiter about how they were still struggling with jet lag and then commented on how far the journey was, joking he was glad they hadn’t walked it.
‘Both were really pleasant and more chatty to the staff than to each other.’
To sleep off the 11 hour time difference and shelter from the midday 26 degree heat, the family retreated to their luxury apartments which boast three pools – cold, warm and kids – and is located near a golf course where Dec plays with his on-screen partner Ant McPartlin.
Ant, 48, always celebrates his birthday during the run of the show and usually arrives in Australia later than Dec, who likes to spend time with his family on the beach which their apartment looks out onto.
One local told MailOnline: ‘They’re pretty understated people, low-key.
With 2am wake ups and long hours filming it’s become a gruelling gig for ITV star hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec
‘They’re more noticeable from the large group they’re with but I mean they’re not really that well known, which is probably nice.
‘They keep to themselves but they’ve got their spots and when they go to those they’re definitely the guests of honour, people just want to chat to them and make them feel comfortable.’
Last year Ant appeared solo due to his wife of three years, Anne-Marie Corbett, falling pregnant with his first child and newborn son, Wilder, who will most likely join him this year.
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