I’m A Celebrity 2020 ‘will take place near a Welsh village in the north of the country known for its record-breaking name’, instead of in its usual location of Australia.
As well as swapping the balmy climes of New South Wales for the colder climate of Wales in the UK, contestants will miss out on the jungle waterfall shower and have to brace having a wash in a cold tin tub, reports The Sun.
Restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic forced ITV to switch locations and has resulted in major changes to the show’s production – effecting everything from what food challenges celebrities will do to where they will sleep during filming.
Changes: This year’s series of I’m A Celebrity will be filmed in the north of Wales, with the show making some major changes to the usual set up
The 20th series of the hit TV show will be a far cry from its jungle predecessor and will take place in a castle ruins.
It is thought that Ant and Dec will film the hugely popular show from a castle in the north of Wales, known for its record-breaking village name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
While sources have also told MailOnline that the new series will be filmed in an area close to Ewloe in north Wales, but this is yet to be confirmed by ITV.
Speaking with The Sun, a source insisted that despite the changes the production team are committed to making the new show as enthralling as others.
They said: ‘Ant and Dec and the same production team are all on board and everyone is 110 per cent dedicated to making this series as brilliant as all the others.’
Although celebrities can now escape the scary critters of the Australian jungle, they won’t be able to escape some of the gruelling trials.
Instead, it is thought that they will be feasting on sheep testicles and other local ‘cuisine’, or having to compete for added luxuries such as hot water.
So long: There won’t be any jungle showers for the contestants this year, with them instead having to wash in a tin tub (Myleene Klass is pictured in the jungle in 2006)
New location: The show will be filmed in the ruins of an old castle, with the crew making changes to the camp layout to accommodate the cold weather (stock picture)
The change of location means a change of weather for contestants who will have to battle 8.5C (47.3F) temperatures and winds, a stark contrasting to the blistering heat in the Australian jungle 22C (71.6F).
Contingency plans will be put in place to combat drastic weather changes including make shift huts when they need protection from the elements.
Family and friends will also miss out on the opportunity to travel abroad and stay in a luxury hotel as they support their loved one from the sidelines.
The winners title of King or Queen of the Jungle will also be replaced with the last person standing being crowned King or Queen of the Castle, as the crew aim to retain much of the original features of the show.
That’ll be interesting! The bushtucker trials will also be adapted to include local delicacies and things such as sheeps testicles (pictured is Rebekah Vardy in 2017)
It will be back! Last week ITV confirmed that the new series of I’m A Celebrity would go ahead later this year (2019 winner Jacqueline Jossa pictured)
Even the stars’ I’m A Celeb kit will have a familiar look, however they will have to wear thermal layers to keep them warm underneath in the cold Welsh winter.
Despite all the changes, it has been suggested that relocating to Wales could save ITV some money which could then be used to get bigger-name stars.
Although the broadcaster will still have to convince them that spending three weeks in the cold countryside is as doable as three weeks in Australia.
Producers on the show recently revealed that lockdown restrictions made it impossible to execute another series in Aus.
A show source said: ‘It’s been a dynamic and fast-changing situation. What is OK one day is impossible the next. The team have had many, many different contingency plans in play to deal with all the various possibilities that Covid-19 has presented.
‘However as time went on it became increasingly obvious that as one problem is solved, another appeared and there came a point where producers had to make tough decisions.’
On Sunday, Australia declared that the state of Victoria is a ‘state of disaster’ and have tightened the reigns on lockdown restrictions.
Queensland have also shut their border and some airlines have stopped flying to Brisbane for September.
I’m A Celebrity has been filmed at the jungle in Murwillumbah, Queensland, since 2003 with a vast crew of more than 100 people bringing the beloved programme to screens.
The crew usually stay in Coolangatta, Queensland, while the show is filmed just across the border in New South Wales.
With the shows cast and crew being spread across two states, any restrictions on travel could cause a major problem.
No bugs this time! I’m A Celebrity has been previously filmed at the jungle in Murwillumbah, Queensland since 2003 (the 2019 camp is pictured)
The series usually runs for three weeks, and is expected to begin sometime in November.
Speaking on Friday after the show’s move to the UK was confirmed Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Director of Television 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.’
Richard Cowles, Director of Entertainment at ITV Studios said: ‘We pulled out all the stops to try and make the series happen in Australia.
Best bits: The channel has also announced a one-off documentary called I’m A Celebrity: A Jungle Story, which will celebrate the best moments of the show’s stellar 19 year history
‘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.
‘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.
‘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.’
I’m A Celebrity premiered in 2002 and has been a success every year since, averaging more than 10 million viewers per episode.
Last year’s finale, which saw former EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa crowned Queen of the Jungle, was the most watched TV show of 2019.
Jacqueline beat out Coronation Street star Andy Whyment and presenter Roman Kemp in the final.
Other well-known stars who took part in the most recent series included reality star Caitlyn Jenner, Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle and Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway.
Already rumours are rife about who could be taking part this year, with stars including Vernon Kay, AJ Pritchard and Tamzin Outhwaite all reported to be in talks with show bosses.
Up in the air: Insiders were unclear whether the show would go ahead later this year after the TV industry was thrown into chaos by COVID-19 (the 2019 cast are pictured)