I’m A Celebrity 2020 stars to swap bikinis for thermals as show moves from Australia to north Wales

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will boast different look when it returns to screens this winter, as filming has been moved from Australia’s balmy Queensland to a village in north Wales.

While viewers have become accustomed to seeing celebrities boost their careers by donning bikinis and going shirtless as they sweat out in the Jungle, the new batch will likely need to pack thermals for the new series.  

And as the stars settle into their temporary digs, they will no longer get the opportunity to luxuriate in the daily delight of as an outdoor shower, as they will now be bathing in a primitive tin tub, according to The Sun. 

Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced ITV to switch locations and has resulted in major changes to production, affecting everything from what food challenges stars will do to where they will sleep during filming. 

And longtime hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are sure to have their tongues tied when they return to filming, as they’ll be in based in a village called Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch. 

While creepy crawlies such as witchetty grubs have been a mainstay on the Australian menu, dining in north Wales will have more of a local flavour, as it’s been reported their eating challenges will include sheep’s testicles.

Sources told MailOnline that the new series will be filmed in an area close to Ewloe in north Wales, though it is yet to be confirmed by ITV.  

 Speaking with The Sun, a source insisted that despite the changes the production team are committed to making the new show as enthralling as others.

They said: ‘Ant and Dec and the same production team are all on board and everyone is 110 per cent dedicated to making this series as brilliant as all the others.’ 

Although celebrities can now escape the scary critters of the Australian jungle, they won’t be able to escape some of the gruelling trials. 

Instead, it is thought that they will be feasting on sheep testicles and other local ‘cuisine’, or having to compete for added luxuries such as hot water. 

The change of location means a change of weather for contestants who will have to battle 8.5C (47.3F) temperatures and winds, a stark contrasting to the blistering heat in the Australian jungle 22C (71.6F). 

Contingency plans will be put in place to combat drastic weather changes including make shift huts when they need protection from the elements. 

Family and friends will also miss out on the opportunity to travel abroad and stay in a luxury hotel as they support their loved one from the sidelines.

The winners title of King or Queen of the Jungle will also be replaced with the last person standing being crowned King or Queen of the Castle, as the crew aim to retain much of the original features of the show. 

Even the stars’ I’m A Celeb kit will have a familiar look, however they will have to wear thermal layers to keep them warm underneath in the cold Welsh winter.

Despite all the changes, it has been suggested that relocating to Wales could save ITV a considerable amount of money, which could then be used to get bigger-name stars.

Although the broadcaster will still have to convince them that spending three weeks in the cold countryside is as doable as three weeks in Australia.

Following the news that filming for this year’s I’m A Celeb will be moving to Wales, fans took to Twitter in droves to share their reactions, with many taking on a comedic tone.

Wrote one: ‘If I’m a celebrity is being made in the UK this year what ‘critters’ will they terrify the contestants with – wasps, moths and pigeons?’

‘So I’m A Celebrity is going to be in Britain,’ stated another. ‘So trials will involved sharing a fly tipped chest freezer with a mildly disgruntled stoat and eating tripe.’

Comparing the upcoming series to an all-British pursuit, a third fan of the long-running show wrote: ‘So it’s basically I’m a celebrity doing my Duke of Edinburgh award camping in the country side.’

Producers on the show recently revealed that lockdown restrictions made it impossible to execute another series in Australia.

A show source said: ‘It’s been a dynamic and fast-changing situation. What is OK one day is impossible the next. The team have had many, many different contingency plans in play to deal with all the various possibilities that Covid-19 has presented.

‘However as time went on it became increasingly obvious that as one problem is solved, another appeared and there came a point where producers had to make tough decisions.’

On Sunday, Australia declared that the state of Victoria is a ‘state of disaster’ and have tightened the reigns on lockdown restrictions. 

Queensland have also shut their border and some airlines have stopped flying to Brisbane for September.  

I’m A Celebrity has been filmed at the jungle in Murwillumbah, Queensland, since 2003 with a vast crew of more than 100 people bringing the beloved programme to screens.

The crew usually stay in Coolangatta, Queensland, while the show is filmed just across the border in New South Wales.  

With the shows cast and crew being spread across two states, any restrictions on travel could cause a major problem. 

The series usually runs for three weeks, and is expected to begin sometime in November. 

Speaking on Friday after the show’s move to the UK was confirmed Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Director of Television said: ‘We announced last week that we were doing all we could to make the series and I’m thrilled that we can bring the show to viewers albeit not in the jungle. 

‘We have a great team both on and off screen and I know they will produce a hugely entertaining series.’ 

Richard Cowles, Director of Entertainment at ITV Studios said: ‘We pulled out all the stops to try and make the series happen in Australia.  

‘Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and despite us looking at many different contingencies, it became apparent that it just wasn’t possible for us to travel and make the show there. 

‘However, we are all really excited about a UK version of I’m A Celebrity. While it will certainly be different producing the show from the UK, the same tone and feel will remain.

‘Our celebrities will probably have to swap shorts for thermals but they can still look forward to a basic diet of rice and beans and plenty of thrills and surprises along the way.’ 

I’m A Celebrity premiered in 2002 and has been a success every year since, averaging more than 10 million 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.

Already rumours are rife about who could be taking part this year, with stars including Vernon Kay, AJ Pritchard and Tamzin Outhwaite all reported to be in talks with show bosses.