I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! have seemingly confirmed that AJ Pritchard will appear in the new series, after he ‘tested positive for COVID-19.’
The former Strictly Come Dancing professional’s participation has been questioned after testing positive for coronavirus, with ex-footballer turned singer Chelcee Grimes said to have been lined up to replace him in Wales.
The star now looks to have recovered with the ITV show’s official Twitter account teasing his appearance on the show, due to debut on Sunday, November 15.
He’s not getting out of there! I’m A Celebrity have seemingly confirmed that AJ Pritchard will appear in the new series, after he ‘tested positive for COVID-19’
The post read: ‘He’s leaving his fake tan, jazz hands and glitter behind but we’re hoping he brings those ballroom moves with him.
‘It’s not long until @Aj11Ace will be dancing his way into Camp! #ImACeleb’.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for AJ and ITV for comment.
Dancer AJ had a routine coronavirus test along with the other I’m A Celeb contestants and iwas believed to be ‘shocked’ by the positive result as he has been ‘feeling fine’ after following precautions.
Reserve: The former Strictly Come Dancing professional’s participation has been questioned after testing positive for coronavirus, with ex-footballer turned singer Chelcee Grimes said to have been lined up to replace him in Wales
A source told The Sun: ‘Everyone is on tenterhooks. Like the other contestants AJ had a routine Covid test, which came back positive. He will have another one before going in.
‘The ITV production team have gone to incredible lengths all year to make sure everything is carried out safely and with as minimal risk to the cast and crew as possible.
‘There is little room for error. If several stars are struck down, particularly one of the older ones, then it would throw the whole show into jeopardy and be very problematic.’
AJ, who is isolating near the Welsh set with his girlfriend Abbie Quinnen, is believed to be earning £50,000 for his participation.
Chelcee was on standby to replace AJ in the competition, and the 28-year old has already spent two weeks isolating near the town of Abergele on the north coast of Wales after being approached by ITV producers, The Sun reports.
Keep dancing! The star now looks to have recovered with the ITV show’s official Twitter account teasing his appearance on the show, due to debut on Sunday, November 15
It’s understood that Chelcee has been primed to appear on the show should any of its current crop of stars deliver positive coronavirus results when it finally launches from Gwyrch Castle on November 15th.
A source told The Sun: ‘All of the celebrities are being tested regularly as part of ITV’s plans to make sure the show goes ahead.
‘They’re taking zero risks and AJ will be tested again in the coming days. If that comes back negative he’ll start filming at the end of the week as planned, if it comes back positive again they still have a few days to play with, so everyone is quite calm at this point.
‘ITV have always been prepared in case of one, or more, dropouts so have had Chelcee and others ready to go. She’s been squirreled away in a cottage nearby just in case she’s needed.’
Cast: (L-R) Vernon Kay, Beverley Callard, Sir Mo Farah, Jessica Plummer, Shane Richie, Victoria Derbyshire, AJ, Giovanna Fletcher, Hollie Arnold and Jordan North were recently unveiled as the new cast of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here
A former Tottenham Hotspur and Tranmere Rovers womens’ footballer, musician Chelcee has also written songs for an array of stars including Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue and Olly Murs.
Earlier this week the the full cast of I’m A Celebrity 2020 was unveiled, with stars such as Sir Mo Farah and Beverley Callard teaming up for their first official portraits.
Hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the ITV programme, which will be returning for its 20th series from November 15, has seen the show relocate from the jungles of Australia to North Wales’ Gwrych Castle due to travel concerns sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.
Also competing for the title of King or Queen of the Jungle will be Vernon Kay, 46; Jessica Plummer, 28; Shane Richie, 56; Victoria Derbyshire, 52; Giovanna Fletcher, 35; Hollie Arnold, 26, and Jordan North, 30.
Vick Hope will be hosting I’m A Celebrity…The Daily Drop, a brand-new series following all camp activity, available on ITV Hub every morning after the main show.
A spokesman for the castle addressed the recent lockdown as they confirmed the show would go ahead as planned.
Taking to Twitter, they said: ‘Following the announcement from the First Minister the overriding message is that filming CAN continue in Wales providing related activity cannot be undertaken from home, and there is full compliance with Welsh law. We cannot wait to see I’m A Celebrity on our screens.’
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford announced on October 16 that the ‘firebreak’ lockdown would start on Friday 23 October and run until at least November 9.
I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! 2020: Who are the celebrities?
Name: SIR MO FARAH CBE
Age: 37
Claim to fame: The most successful British track athlete in Olympic Games history
Phobias: Any animal that moves
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running
Role in the camp: Cook
Miss most: Coffee, my wife and children
Dream campmate: Samuel L Jackson would be pretty cool
Relationship status: Married
Name: SHANE RICHIE
Age: 56
Phobias: Human faeces. If I see one, it is over! I am hoping the camp toilet will be enclosed
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: Nothing. I don’t think I am that interesting
Role in the camp: Person who will muck in with anything
Miss most: My family and routine at home
Dream campmate: Eric Cantona, any 80s’ pop star or The Roc
Relationship status: Married
Name: BEVERLEY CALLARD
Age: 63
Claim to fame: Corrie legend
Phobias: Ghosts and insects
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People think I am glamorous as I have played Liz for so long but I am not
Role in the camp: Cleaner
Miss most: Dogs and my husband, Jon
Dream campmate: Ricky Gervais – he would keep us all going
Relationship status: Married
Name: AJ PRITCHARD
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Former Strictly professional
Phobias: Heights, claustrophobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People see me with sparkles and fake tan but nobody knows what I am like
Role in the camp: Keeping spirits up and the cleaner
Miss most: My warm and comfy bed
Dream campmate: Any celebrity with an intriguing background
Relationship status: Dating
Name: VERNON KAY
Age: 46
Claim to fame: TV and radio presenter
Phobias: I don’t like being confined underwater!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I think I have always been the same throughout my career – so I don’t have any.
Role in the camp: Person to keep spirits up.
Miss most: My family.
Dream camper: Anybody who has won the Super Bowl!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE
Age: 52
Claim to fame: Award-winning journalist
Phobias: I am not a fan of spiders or confined spaces and I don’t know what I am going to be like when I get there!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t think I have any as people just know me as the news and current affairs person!
Role in the camp: Shoulder to cry on.
Miss most: My boys, husband, dog and Mum.
Dream campmate: Madonna, Gary Lineker and Jamie Oliver to cook for us. I think you could have some really geeky chats with them!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: GIOVANNA FLETCHER
Age: 35
Claim to fame: Author and podcaster
Phobias: Heights. My legs go wobbly and you can’t rationalise it
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I am not that controversial so nothing
Role in the camp: Mum, friend and the giver of hugs
Miss most: My husband, Tom, and my three children
Dream campmate: The Queen, Judi Dench and Ant Middleton so he can help us with all the survival skills
Relationship status: Married
Name: JESSICA PLUMMER
Age: 28
Claim to fame: Former EastEnders actress
Phobias: Arachnophobia, fear of heights –just about every phobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me for who I am rather than my EastEnders character
Role in the camp: Chatterbox and little sister
Miss most: My daughter. It’s going to be the longest we’ve been apart
Dream campmate: Denzel Washington would be awesome. I would listen to every word he said
Relationship status: Single
Name: JORDAN NORTH
Age: 30
Claim to fame: Radio 1 DJ
Phobias: It’s just easier to say what I am not scared of. I have so many phobias
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: On my Radio 1 show, I am always bubbly and energetic but everyone has down moments too, so it will be nice for people to see what I am really like
Role in the camp: Entertainer and the tidy up person –I love a tidy house
Miss most: A nice cool pint of Guinness
Dream campmate: Barack Obama and Liam Gallagher. He would be great entertainment value
Relationship status: Single
Name: HOLLIE ARNOLD MBE
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Paralympic gold medallist
Phobias: Spiders
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t want it to focus on my disability
Role in the camp: Cook/shoulder to cry on
Miss most: My boyfriend, food and my cats
Dream campmate: Michelle Keegan –she is beautiful
Relationship status: Dating