ITV confirms I’m A Celebrity will return this year for 20th series after COVID-19 threw its future into question
- It was previously unclear whether or not the show would go ahead later this year after the TV industry was thrown into chaos by coronavirus
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will be returning later this year.
ITV has confirmed that its flagship entertainment show will be back on screens for its 20th series, after COVID-19 threw its future into question.
The channel has 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.
It’s coming back! I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! will be returning later this year (Pictured: 2019 winner Jacqueline Jossa with hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnell)
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.
Confirmed: ITV has confirmed that its flagship entertainment show will be back on screens for its 20th series, after COVID-19 threw its future into question
‘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.
Best bits: The channel has also announced a one-off documentary called I’m A Celebrity: A Jungle Story, which will celebrate the best moments of the show’s stellar 19 year history
Up in the air: Insiders were unclear whether the show would go ahead later this year after the TV industry was thrown into chaos by COVID-19 (pictured: last year’s winner Jacqueline Jossa)
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.