Rumours have been sparked that I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! could return to Wales for the third consecutive year, despite ITV bosses saying they expect it to make an Australian comeback in 2022. For the last two years contestants have headed to the Gwrych Castle in Abergele to spend a number of weeks roughing it with critters in plunging temperatures.
But despite the excitement surrounding a return to its roots and ITV being adamant that it will be back in Australia this year, it has been reported that custodians of Gwrych Castle "have applied for approval to keep the temporary structures built by crew for another year".
Covers were put up over sections of the castle in order to make the area safe, so that cast and crew could film. But because the Welsh castle is Grade 1 listed, permission to have parts of the castle altered only lasts for one year, the Mirror reported.
Now it has been reported that another 12 months permission has been requested. A source told The Sun: "It was all looking so hopeful that it would be back in Oz but news like this does make that look less likely. Hopefully, ITV are just being prudent and covering all eventualities."
ITV's Director of Content Rosemary Newe said in response: "We expect I'm a Celebrity to return in Australia in November." This comes weeks after the show was forced to move its start date.
The hit show will launch three weeks earlier so that the king or queen of the jungle is crowned just before the World Cup tournament in Qatar kicks off, insiders have said. Usually a summer event, the World Cup in 2022 starts in November – around the same time that I'm A Celeb usually graces out screens.
Because of the TV shake-up, show bosses plan to start airing this year's series on October 30 before it concludes on November 20, in time for the World Cup to begin.
In 2020 Giovanna Fletcher was crowned Queen of the Castle after the series was moved to Gwrych Castle in Conwy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. And one year on Emmerdale's Danny Miller donned the crown when he was named King of the Castle in 2021.
