Boyzone star Keith Duffy is reportedly in advanced talks to sign up to this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The singer, 45, has allegedly been approached by show bosses as his tour has been pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s said that he previously was asked to join last year, but was heading out on tour with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden as part of their duo Boyzlife.
Heading to the castle? Boyzone star Keith Duffy is reportedly in advanced talks to sign up to this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
And with their latest 37-date tour now rescheduled to next year, now could be the perfect time for the crooner to swap his native Ireland for the show’s new location in Wales.
A source told The Sun: ‘Keith has had Zoom meetings with I’m A Celebrity’s booker.
‘Since the location moved from Australia to North Wales it’s been a little more tricky to get people on board but the team are confident they sold it well.
‘Keith would make for a brilliant campmate with his celebrity tales and his can-do attitude.’
New recruit? The singer, 45, has allegedly been approached by show bosses as his tour has been pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic
The insider added though the No Matter What hitmaker had been approached in the past, the timing had ‘never been right’, with bosses hoping he’d ‘take a chance’ this time.
MailOnline have contacted representatives for I’m A Celebrity and Keith for comment.
It comes as I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here 2020’s stars will be forced to endure freezing 8°C cold temperatures and no protection from the elements, as bosses confirmed the first ever UK-based series will be filmed at the 200-year-old Gwrych Castle in Abergele, North Wales.
Almost: It’s said that he previously was asked to join last year, but was heading out on tour with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden (right) as part of their duo Boyzlife
The ITV show will be based at the historic site nestled in the Welsh countryside, after bosses shelled out £1 million to secure use of the site when production was forced to be relocated from Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the upcoming stars said to be ‘excited’.
It won’t be an easy three weeks for the celebrities taking part as they forced to sleep in gruelling November temperatures in the roofless castle – throwing the famous shower scenes in question – and there could also be the setting for some paranormal activity, as the castle has earned a reputation for being haunted.
As ever hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will present the new series with celebrities completing an array of challenges to win food and drink for the camp, with one eventually being crowned King or Queen of the Castle.
A source said: ‘Keith would make for a brilliant campmate with his celebrity tales and his can-do attitude’ (pictured with Boyzone in 2019)
Signing up? The insider added though the No Matter What hitmaker had been approached in the past, the timing had ‘never been right’, with bosses hoping he’d ‘take a chance’ this time
The chilly November weather will no doubt bring pause to some of the bikini-clad stars looking to wash off in the shower, which became an icon of its own thanks to former contestant Myleene Klass.
Gwrych Castle is nestled in a tree lined hillside overlooking the Irish Sea, and is spread across 250 acres of gardens and grounds, with an array of picturesque turrets, alcoves and grounds.
Richard Cowles, Director of Entertainment at ITV Studios said: ‘The Australian jungle is such an integral part of the show it was a big challenge to find a UK location where we could continue to deliver what viewers love about I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
Challenging! I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here 2020’s stars will be forced to endure freezing temperatures and no protection from the elements, as bosses confirmed the first UK-based series will be filmed at the Gwrych Castle in Wales
Coming soon: The ITV series will once again be hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly (left) and has been relocated to the UK due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sprawling: The 200-year-old castle will be home to this year’s campmates, who will battle freezing cold November temperatures as they say goodbye to their luxuries
‘But Gwrych will definitely do that; the Castle sits in an amazing and atmospheric setting on a hillside overlooking the Irish Sea.
‘While there will be plenty of changes required as we move from New South Wales in Australia to North Wales in the UK, we are really excited to see how we can adapt the format and make the Castle our new home for a very special 20th series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! this Autumn.’
It’s thought that ITV spent an eye-watering £1 million to secure use of the Grade I listed country house.
Iconic: Bosses confirmed on Thursday that the ITV show’s first ever UK-based series will be based at the historic site nestled in the Welsh countryside overlooking the Irish sea
It won’t be warm! The sprawling site boasts plenty of inside areas that could play home to the celebrities in November, when the show is expected to return
A source on the ITV show previously told The Sun: ‘Producers are chuffed with the new location — they’re excited for a change in scenery this year.
‘The Bushtucker trial crew, who work tirelessly all year round, have been working overtime to come up with some terrifying new trials and challenges.
‘Not only will there be creepy crawlies galore, but now they have the added aid of playing with a haunted castle. They think it will make for brilliant TV.’
In the works: Construction on the castle commenced earlier this month, after bosses confirmed the new series would be moved to the UK
Popular: As ever the new series will see celebrities completing an array of challenges to win food and drink for the camp, with one eventually being crowned King Or Queen of the Castle