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I’m A Celebrity… Series 20: What to expect

I’m A Celebrity… Series 20: What to expect

With the legendary jungle making way for a haunted Welsh castle, say “helo” and “croeso” to an I’m A Celebrity series like no other…

By Virgin TV Edit

It’s safe to say, at this point, that 2020 has been a pretty strange year. One equally odd consequence of such turmoil was the possibility that reality TV series like Bake Off, Strictly and I’m A Celebrity could, for the first time in years, briefly disappear from our screens.

But while both Bake Off and Strictly have once again arrived and been wowing audiences with little to no upheaval to the formats we’ve come to know and love, I’m A Celebrity has had to undergo just a slight re-jig for its twentieth series…

Ant and Dec


Where its cohort of celeb contestants once had to be flown into a remote jungle setting in Australia’s New South Wales, this year’s batch will – likely as not – be bussed into North Wales in, well, Wales.

 

Though the show’s core format remains the same (celebs battling their through a series of wince-inducing challenges), plenty looks set to change as this year’s participants get set to make camp in the cold, blustery surroundings of Gwrych Castle.

 

So if, like us, you’re intrigued as to what this year’s series will behold, read on below to see our checklist of (albeit unconfirmed and every-so-slightly speculative) things to expect from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! series 20…

 

What to expect: A “haunted” castle…

The jungle has been ditched for the first time in the show’s history and in its place is an equally fearsome prospect. Unoccupied since the 1940s and allegedly haunted by a mysterious “headless creature”, Abergale’s legendary Gwrych Castle poses a very different challenge to campers.

 

What not to expect: Homesick celebs tearily uttering the phrase “the other side of the world”. Unless, that is, they’ve no real idea where Wales actually is.

 

What to expect: Layers, lots of layers…

Gone are the days where bugs, humidity and the occasional rainstorm were the primary cause of the campers’ woes. A hilly locale and North Wales’ blustery weather will ensure bobble hats, thermals, gloves and a hot water bottle taped to every limb will likely be the go-to clothing items of choice.

 

What not to expect: Cork hats, vests, cargo shorts and needlessly long shots of celebs showering in waterfalls. Crisp as it might taste, that naturally sourced Welsh spring water is cold. Really cold.

 

What to expect: Ant and Dec (obvs)

The dynamic duo that is Ant and Dec (or, to their parents, Anthony and Declan… probably) will be back to once again oversee every trial, challenge and light-headed, Gillian McKeith-style meltdown. “Can we bring the oxygen in please?” Legendary.

 

What not to expect: Either the narrow, bouncy bridge, or Ant and Dec’s crow’s nest-esque studio overlooking the jungle. “Ha’way, what can you see Dec?” “Fields and farms Ant, as far as the eye can see, like.”

 

What to expect: A new spin-off show…

Vick Hope


I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp fans may be disheartened to learn that the long-running companion series has been axed for 2020. In its place, however, is I’m A Celebrity: The Daily Drop, an all-new spin-off show fronted by Vick Hope dissecting all the unseen goings-on in camp.

 

What not to expect: Transition shots featuring crocodiles, frogs and other critters, accompanied by windpipe and bug sound effects. Maybe some squirrels will take their place this series? A deer? A Welsh Terrier sniffing a daffodil?

 

What to expect: A whole new batch of celebs!

I'm A Celeb contestants series 20


Big names were expected, and big names have been secured for series 20. See our rundown of this year’s contestants below:

 

Hollie Arnold

Paralympic javelin gold-medallist and three-time world champion Arnold should be right at home in Wales having lived there earlier in her career. Plus, if any pole-like monster need to be launched far from camp… boom.

 

Beverly Callard

Callard (aka Coronation Street’s Liz McDonald) is sure to whip the campers into shape given her stellar career as one of TV’s most legendary landladies.

 

Victoria Derbyshire

Rest assured, if there’s any funny business within the castle this series, BBC journalist Derbyshire will be the go-to camper to get the bottom of it all.

 

Sir Mo Farah

Arguably the biggest star of this year’s series, Olympic long-distance-running legend Farah will be keen to add the King Of The Jungle title to his stuffed trophy cabinet.

 

Giovanna Fletcher

Author and presenter Fletcher will hope to channel the jungle-conquering energy of close friend and McFly guitarist Dougie Poynter as she heads off for her camping adventure.

 

Vernon Kay

Really isn’t that much to say about Vernon Kay. TV presenter? Family Fortunes? That stint on The One Show? Yep, that guy.

 

Jordan North

Radio 1 DJ, podcaster and former Preston FM star North could well prove to be a popular choice.

 

Jessica Plummer

Easily one of the biggest stars to emerge from EastEnders in recent years, Plummer will hope to become the latest soap celeb to challenge for the I’m A Celeb title when she arrives in Wales.

 

AJ Pritchard

Previously seen strutting his stuff as one of the pros on Strictly, Pritchard will now be seen chomping on all manner of critters and, likely as not, pulling off the odd pirouette for the rest of the camp. Just because he can.

 

Shane Richie

In his long, journeyed career as a soap star, game show host and singer, there really isn’t anything Richie hasn’t done. Except appear on I’m A Celeb. Well, that’s about to change.


Where is I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! on TV?

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will be available to watch at 9pm every evening from Sunday 15 November on ITV HD (CH 103). Also available for 30 days in Apps & Games > ITV Hub

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