I’m A Celebrity 2020 to be filmed in the UK for its 20th series

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2020 will be moved from Australia to the UK UK for the first time ever.

ITV confirmed on Friday the new series would be filmed at a ruined castle in the countryside, with hosts Ant and Dec broadcasting live every evening.

It comes just a week after bosses confirmed that the new series would go ahead this autumn after the coronavirus pandemic threw its future into question. 

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. 

‘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.’

Last week ITV confirmed that the new series of I’m A Celebrity would go ahead later this year, as the show prepares for its 20th series. 

The channel also announced a special one-off documentary called I’m A Celebrity: A Jungle Story, which will celebrate the very best moments of the show’s stellar 19 year history.  

In May it was reported that show bosses were holding crisis talks to save this year’s show amid the  pandemic. 

According to The Sun, insiders were unclear whether the show would go ahead later this year after the TV industry was thrown into chaos by COVID-19.

A source at the time said: ‘I’m A Celebrity is six months away but bosses are holding meetings about how they can ensure it still goes ahead in the current climate. A raft of measures are being looked at. 

‘One of the most recent plans was to employ a crew that is 95 per cent made up of Australian workers to overcome the issues surrounding flying to different countries and the quarantine restrictions. 

‘This would mean a lot of the show’s UK crew missing out on their annual big gig but ITV are having to seriously consider every option.’ 

The insider added that due to the changing nature of the pandemic, every possible situation was being planned for.

The show continues to be a ratings winner and as such, bosses were said to be prepared to do everything possible to keep the series on the air.  

The source went on to say that the safety and welfare of the crew is the top priority for bosses.

MailOnline contacted ITV representatives for comment at the time. 

I’m A Celebrity premiered in 2002 and has been a success every year since, averaging more than 10million 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.