New images from I’m A Celebrity‘s Gwrych Castle set shows a huge prison facade and a jail that’ll be used for trials when the show launches on November 15.
Workmen were seen setting up the huge stage at the location in Abergele, North Wales, on Thursday which featured ten cells that were fastened with iron-barred doors which the celebrity contestants would be forced into.
The towering stage also featured ominous looking spikes and a tiled roof, and was being set up at the edge of the castle’s grounds, making it appear as if it would be part of the show’s first trial.
Wow! I’m A Celebrity’s Gwrych Castle set featured a huge prison facade where contestants will be ‘jailed’ in during terrifying trials, new pictures revealed on Thursday
The facade was being painted black and grey by the team working tirelessly at the location, while a set of stairs could be seen descending from the walkway between the cells.
A metal ring has also been set up around the makeshift prison and above it, which could be being used by the show’s crew to film the show at a safe distance.
Pictures of the main castle show small, dark rooms which will likely be used to spook the contestants during their stint, while a number of areas have also been decorated with jungle foliage.
A closer look inside the castle also showed the area where the fire pit is likely to be, with there being enough space for the celebrities to gather in between their trials.
Almost time! I’m A Celebrity is set to return on November 15 (co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly pictured)
Exciting: The towering stage was made up of ten cells that were fastened with iron-barred doors also featured ominous looking spikes and a tiled roof
Entrance? It was being set up at the edge of the castle’s grounds, making it appear as if it would be part of the show’s first trial
Eerie: The facade was being painted black and grey by the team working tirelessly at the location, while a set of stairs could be seen descending from the walkway between the cells
The show’s 2020 series is reportedly set to be two days shorter than usual, as stars struggle to live in the freezing Welsh temperatures.
Sources claimed that this series will only last 20 days, meaning the final will air on a Friday in early December, after years of typically concluding on a Sunday following a 22-day run.
This year I’m A Celebrity has relocated to Gwrych Castle from the Australian jungle due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with celebrities set to face the most gruelling conditions the show has ever seen.
Producers are reportedly concerned celebrities may have refused to complete the series when faced with the harsh realities of living in a crumbling Welsh castle.
Arena: A metal ring has also been set up around the makeshift prison and above it, which could be being used to light the facade and appeared to also be where the show’s crew would film from at a safe distance
Looking good: Pictures of the main castle show small, dark rooms which will likely be used to spook the contestants during their stint, while a number of areas have also been decorated with jungle foliage
Cosy: A closer look inside the castle also showed the area where the fire pit is likely to be, with there being enough space for the celebrities to gather in between their trials
Rumours: The show’s 2020 series is reportedly set to be two days shorter than usual, as stars struggle to live in the freezing Welsh temperatures
It’s thought that any celebrities who quit the series early won’t receive their full fee.
A source told The Sun: ‘There have been some concerns at ITV that it’s going to be a mega shock to the system when they leave the lap of luxury and are suddenly living in a damp, squalid castle.
‘There are fears some will sack it off. They were even worried some might not even enter the castle at all.’
The source added: ‘This will be harder than the Australian jungle. It will be damp and freezing.’
MailOnline has contacted an ITV representative for comment.
Changes: Sources claimed that this series will only last 20 days, meaning the final will air on a Friday in early December, after years of typically concluding on a Sunday following a 22-day run
Claims: Producers are reportedly concerned celebrities may have refused to complete the series when faced with the harsh realities of living in a crumbling Welsh castle
Worries: A source claimed ‘There have been some concerns at ITV that it’s going to be a mega shock to the system when they leave the lap of luxury and are suddenly living in a damp, squalid castle’
Due to the freezing November climes, this year’s lineup will be given warm gilets and jumpers to ensure they keep warm during their time in the camp.
While they usually bask in temperatures of around 30C (86F), this year the contestants will have a very different experience as they battle with temperatures of around 11C (52F) in Abergele, North Wales.
Speculation has been rife about which stars could be heading into the Welsh castle when I’m A Celebrity returns on Sunday, November 15th.
Stars including presenter Vernon Kay, actress Beverley Callard and Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah are reportedly set to appear in the lineup.
Exciting: This year I’m A Celebrity has relocated to Gwrych Castle in Wales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with celebrities set to face the most gruelling conditions the show has ever seen
It comes following reports that contestants are self-isolating with their partners and children in luxury accommodation for two weeks before the show, according to The Sun.
It is reportedly to allow stars to spend as much time with their families as possible before spending three weeks ‘in a freezing castle’.
A source said: ‘ITV decided to allow celebs as much time with families as possible.
‘They’re already essentially having three weeks’ quarantine in a freezing castle, so two weeks on top of that felt a bit mean.’
I’m A Celebrity returns on Sunday, November 15th at 9pm on ITV.
In the running: It was recently reported that Olympian champion Sir Mo Farah has joined the lineup, with the new series set to begin on 15th November
Contestants? Meanwhile, (L-R) presenter Vernon Kay and Coronation Street star Beverley Callard are said to be among the cast