I’m A Celebrity, which usually takes place in Australia, is set to kick off on November 15 at Gwyrch Castle in North Wales this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
And it was revealed on Tuesday that the residents of Abergele, the town where the castle is, have decked their shop windows with themed decorations, including cutouts of Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly and miniature castles, ahead of the show’s launch.
In pictures from the town, a restaurant that served Balti cuisine had stuck pictures of the Geordie duo on the window, which were surrounded by fern-shaped fairy lights, a toy lizard, and a crown to bring to mind the show’s Australian jungle setting.
Getting into the spirits: I’m A Celebrity fans in Abergele village decked their shop windows with Ant and Dec cutouts, stuffed animals, and other decorations on Tuesday
A butchers in the village used its window to display huge cut-outs of Ant and Dec, while a make-shift version of Gwrych Castle could be seen with crowns placed on the heads of the blank faces of a mystery man and woman.
Meanwhile, in a kids toy shop they used a princess castle to act as the one set to be used by contestants in the show, with Ant and Dec’s faces taped to the top of some kids clothing.
In a barbers they had used an image of Ant and Dec with the words ‘who will be next for the chop’ in an amusing play on words, while the picture was surrounded by hanging monkey dolls and a stuffed toy snake.
Exciting: The show, which usually takes place in Australia, kicks off on November 15 at Gwyrch Castle in North Wales this year amid the coronavirus pandemic
Decorations: A butchers in the village used its window to display huge cut-outs of Ant and Dec, while a make-shift version of Gwrych Castle could be seen with crowns placed on the heads of the blank faces of a mystery man and woman
Creative: Meanwhile, in a kids toy shop they used a princess castle to act as the one set to be used by contestants in the show, with Ant and Dec’s faces taped to the top of some kids clothing
The decorations comes after it was revealed the show will officially start on Sunday November 15 with TV bosses confirming the date on Monday.
I’m A Celebrity will take place as expected, despite Wales going back into lockdown until November 9 due to an increase in coronavirus cases.
A spokesman for Gwrych Castle tweeted: ‘Following the announcement from the First Minister the overriding message is that filming CAN continue in Wales providing related activity cannot be undertaken from home, and there is full compliance with Welsh law. We cannot wait to see I’m A Celebrity on our screens.’
The popular show usually starts in mid-November and tends to run for three weeks, with Ant and Dec as hosts, in the lead-up to Christmas and it then runs for three weeks, with Ant and Dec as hosts, in the lead-up to Christmas.
Pun-tastic: In a barbers they had used an image of Ant and Dec with the words ‘who will be next for the chop’ in an amusing play on words, while the picture was surrounded by hanging monkey dolls and a stuffed toy snake
Welcome! A sign outside the town bid welcome to the I’m A Celebrity contestants set to arrive in the town imminently
Can’t wait! A Chinese takeaway restaurant also had a banner which had the show’s title written atop a picture of the castle
This year’s UK-based season is also expected to air for a similar amount of time as usual, but instead be broadcast from Gwrych Castle.
Show contestants are reportedly self-isolating with their partners and children in luxury accommodation for two weeks before the show.
In previous years, celebrities haven’t had any contact with their families once they landed in Australia.
Not long now: The decorations comes after it was revealed the show will officially start on Sunday November 15 with TV bosses confirming the date on Monday
Going ahead: I’m A Celeb will take place as expected, despite Wales going back into lockdown until November 9 due to an increase in coronavirus cases
All set up: Pictures of the castle taken on Tuesday showed that preparations have been completed at the filming location
But this year they are allegedly able to self-isolate with their loved ones in secret luxury cottages and hotels, The Sun claimed.
It is reportedly to allow them to spend as much time with their families as possible before spending three weeks ‘in a freezing castle’.
A source said: ‘ITV decided to allow celebs as much time with families as possible.
‘They’re already essentially having three weeks’ quarantine in a freezing castle, so two weeks on top of that felt a bit mean.’
All set up: Tents have been set up around the castle, and its been reported the crew will use a nearby caravan holiday park
Location, location: The accommodation will place the crew just 15 minutes from the ruins of Gwyrch Castle, where the celebrity cast mates will be staying
MailOnline contacted ITV for comment at the time.
Elsewhere, it was revealed recently the production staff will reportedly be accommodated at a caravan holiday park in North Wales during filming.
With the production team moved from the balmy climes of Coolangatta, Queensland, to shoot in the UK for the first time in the UK, The Sun reported that the team with be housed at the Golden Sands Holiday Park in Rhyl.
The accommodation will place the crew just 15 minutes from the ruins of Gwyrch Castle, where the celebrity cast mates will be staying, according to the publication.
One to watch: The popular show usually starts in mid-November and tends to run for three weeks, with Ant and Dec as hosts, in the lead-up to Christmas
While the park is popular with holidaymakers during summer months, the screw will likely be missing the sunshine and heat of Australia, given Wales’ typically wet and cold winter weather.
When contacted by MailOnline, a representative for I’m A Celebrity declined to comment. MailOnline has contacted Golden Sands Holiday Park for comment.
The report comes amid claims that Shane Richie, 56, and Sir Mo Farah, 37, are among the new recruits who have joined the cast of the show’s first UK-based series.
Going ahead! Gwrych Castle Trust confirmed that filming would still be happening for I’m A Celeb after the First Minister announced a lockdown in Wales back in October
Meanwhile, other stars tipped to be joining the show include Victoria Derbyshire, 52, Vernon Kay, 46, Jessica Plummer, 28, and AJ Pritchard, 25.
While Beverley Callard, 63, Ruthie Henshall, 53, Russell Watson, 53, and Hollie Arnold, 26, are also said to be joining the show.
A host of stars were seen arriving at a photoshoot in London last Friday ahead of kicking off their two-week isolation period before filming starts in Wales.
In the running: It was recently reported that Olympian champ Sir Mo Farah has joined the cast
Contestants? Meanwhile, (L-R) Vernon Kay and Beverley Callard are said to be among the cast