I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! execs have reportedly arranged to use Gwrych Castle for the 2021 series, incase the show can’t return to Australia.
The hit ITV show relocated to Wales last year and saw great success with a huge 14.3 million people watching its launch on Sunday November 15 and Giovanna Fletcher being crowned Queen of the Castle.
Although TV bosses are said to be hoping to return to Oz this year, an insider has told The Sun: ‘Ultimately they are at the mercy of Covid-19 restrictions.
Going back for round two? I’m A Celebrity bosses have reportedly arranged to use Gwrych Castle in Wales as a backup for the 2021 series, incase the show can’t return to Australia (hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly pictured during a previous series in Oz)
‘Formally an agreement is in place for the use of Gwrych Castle this year. Should the show need to be held there again it has all got the green light.’
They added that lots of work went into preparing the 202-year-old building ahead of the 2020 season so it means the ‘basics’ are ready if the show returns again.
‘But going back to Australia is what everyone wants and that is what everyone is working towards and hoping for,’ they continued.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for I’m A Celeb to ask for a comment.
Refreshing: The ITV show relocated to Wales last year and saw great success with a huge 14.3 million people watching its launch on Sunday November 15 and many viewers calling for it to return to the castle in 2021
ITV hired the 19th century castle for six weeks in 2020, costing £1million, after Covid-19 ruled out the usual setting in Australia.
The network also announced an extreme Covid Management Plan to ensure the series ran smoothly.
This included the celebrities being tested every three days and crew members wearing proximity buzzers, masks and getting temperature checks on arrival.
The celebrities also had to isolate for two weeks ahead of their arrival.
Basics: The celebs had to deal with freezing temperatures and rusty bed frames during their stint in the Welsh castle
Run down: The campmates also had to use the Privy, a battered old shed, which replaced the traditional dunny
The new venue was warmly received by viewers, with some even calling for the show to make Wales its new permanent home.
While other fans suggested it alternate years between Wales and Australia.
One fan said: ‘I think #ImACelebrity should stay in the castle because what a bloomin series it has been and one of the best parts, no splitting them up and sending them to different camps. It was the revamp no one knew we needed, but we did! Loved it so so much’
Another wrote: ‘I honestly think this years @imacelebrity has been the best in years!!! Actually enjoyed it being in the Castle rather than the Jungle! Wish they would return to the castle for another series!!! #I’mACelebrity’
Australia AND Wales! When the series finished, some viewers suggested the show should alternate series between the jungle in Australia and the Welsh castle
Someone else penned: ‘Do think this series in the castle has been really good but I’d prefer it to go back to the jungle, or at least do alternate years from the jungle to the castle, the permanent move could ruin it #imacelebrity #imaceleb’
Author and podcast host Giovanna was named Queen of the Castle during I’m A Celeb’s live finale.
The star went up against Vernon Kay and Jordan North to win the title, and was left in complete shock after it was revealed she’d come out on top after 12 million votes had been cast.
Gushing about her win, she sat on a plush throne and said: ‘I cant believe it, people have picked up their phones and voted. I’m just blown away I cant believe it its been the most amazing experience, ask me in a week!’
Ever gracious in defeat, Jordan said it was: ‘Absolutely fantastic, I couldn’t be runner up to anyone better,the most genuine kindest person I’ve ever met.
Vernon stepped up to crown Giovanna, saying it was his honour to name her the first ever Queen of the Castle as 2019 winner Jacqueline Jossa was unable to attend the ceremony as is usually tradition.
After it was revealed he had come in third, Vernon hugged his competitors and said: ‘Well done you two, I’ve had the best time, you’ve been awesome.’
Hosts: Ant and Dec presented the Welsh series, with Giovanna Fletcher being crowned the first ever Queen of the Castle