I’m A Celebrity faces fresh threat as Wales plans ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown after bosses spend ‘thousands’ on thermal camping gear
The new series of I’m A Celebrity is now under threat after the Welsh government plot a three-week ‘circuit breaker’ to stop hospitals becoming overwhelmed with coronavirus patients.
Despite the ITV show being in jeopardy, production bosses have reportedly spent thousands on camping gear to prepare contestants for the freezing temperatures.
I’m A Celebrity was forced to relocate from Australia to the UK this year due to challenges of filming abroad and travel restrictions amid the pandemic.
Oh no! The new series of I’m A Celebrity is now under threat after the Welsh government plot a three-week ‘circuit breaker’ to stop hospitals becoming overwhelmed with coronavirus patients
However, the show’s debut at Gwrych Castle in Wales may never come to fruition as Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford, proposed a ‘fire-break’ to prevent a growth in Covid cases as the country reaches a ‘critical point’.
He said: ‘A ‘fire-break’ would also mean a short, sharp shock to all our lives – it would mean shutting down businesses and the economy.
‘We would all have to stay at home to once again to save lives. But this time it would be for weeks not months.’
There are now apparent concerns that the tightened rules could make it impossible for contestants and production to enter Wales in time for November, as the government bans visitors to the country from Covid hotspots.
Splash the cash: Despite the ITV show being in jeopardy, production bosses have decided to spend thousands on camping gear to prepare contestants for the freezing temperatures
Even if this year’s celebrities can make it to the castle ruins, the new ban on mixing households and support bubbles could present difficult challenges for filming together.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding this year’s I’m A Celeb series, ITV bosses are pushing forward and have splashed out on the finest thermal gear as they brace for sub-zero temperatures.
According to reports, they have splurged ‘thousands of pounds’ on a selection of insulating clothing, sleeping bags, camping equipment, and foil blankets to prevent heat loss.
An insider revealed to The Sun: ‘The bosses are taking no chances and have bought the best of everything.
‘It is one thing roughing it in the heat of Australia, but quite another kettle of fish in the Welsh countryside.’
The publication revealed that I’m A Celebrity bosses have also taken medical advice in a bid to prevent celebrity contestants from developing frostbite or hypothermia.
Long-range weather calculations for the start of filming predict days of blistering 35mph winds, 100 percent cloud coverage and freezing spells of rain.
MailOnline have reached out to ITV’s representatives for comment.
Disaster: Even if this year’s contestants can make it to the location, Gwrych Castle, the new ban on mixing households and support bubbles could present difficult challenges for filming