After weeks of builders working round-the-clock to restore crumbling Welsh landmark Gwrych Castle, I’m A Celebrity have revealed the first look at the camp.
This year’s stars will experience the most brutal living conditions in the show’s 20-year history, after ITV relocated from Australia to Wales due to the coronavirus pandemic.
MailOnline has been given special access to the show’s brand new set located inside the eerie Gwrych Castle, North Wales, where celebrities including TV presenter Vernon Kay, 48, Corrie legend Beverley Callard, 63, and Team GB star Mo Farah, 37, will compete for food and hot water in freezing temperatures.
Get Me Out Of Here! After weeks of builders working round-the-clock to restore crumbling Welsh landmark Gwrych Castle, I’m A Celebrity have revealed the first look at the celebrities camp
The ten contestants will sleep on rusty old beds, covered by a newly installed plastic roof, with only the campfire located inside the adjoining living quarters providing any heat.
If the campmates need the toilet at night, they have to wander outside in the Baltic conditions to visit the Privy, a battered old shed, which has replaced the traditional dunny.
And the usually pampered celebrities will bathe in a tiny tin bath and wash their hair using water from an old watering can hanging above – their modesty covered by a mouldy shower curtain.
Long lost Welsh cousin: Kiosk Kev has been replaced with Kiosk Cledwyn, named after the late politician Cledwyn Hughes
Spooky: MailOnline has been given special access to the show’s brand new set located inside the eerie Gwrych Castle, North Wales
Wash time: And the usually pampered celebrities will bathe in a tiny tin bath and wash their hair using water from an old watering can hanging above – their modesty covered by a mouldy shower curtain
Working hard for it! Bath time is a two-man job, as a fellow campmate has to generate water from a nearby pump
Tasks: In order to keep the castle in check, the stars will have to undertake gruelling daily chores inside the Boiler Room, located in the Courtyard
Long walk: These include fetching logs from the surrounding forest and feeding them through a wood splitter ready to be lit in the boiler
And bath time is a two-man job, as a fellow campmate has to generate water from a nearby pump.
In order to keep the castle in check, the stars will have to undertake gruelling daily chores inside the Boiler Room, located in the Courtyard.
These include fetching logs from the surrounding forest and feeding them through a wood splitter ready to be lit in the boiler.
They’re back: Hosts Ant and Dec will return, with the series launching on Sunday
Run down: If the campmates need the toilet at night, they have to wander outside in the Baltic conditions to visit the Privy, a battered old shed, which has replaced the traditional dunny
Countdown is on: The entrance to the castle has been revamped for the show
Bring it on! The 2020 series, which starts on Sunday, is expected to last 20 days – two shorter than normal
Tough conditions: The camp comes complete with stone boulders to sit on, a treasure chest and log fire
Ring ring: ITV still kept some of the viewers’ favourites including the telephone box which is covered in ivy
Daily chores: There is a courtyard area where celebrities can collect barrels of water
Uncomfortable: Stars can sit on a mouldy sofa or wooden logs and stone boulders
Two campmates use a pump to prime the system and provide lukewarm water. This has to be done twice a day, 30 minutes each time.
The Boiler Room is situated opposite the castle version of the Bushtucker Telegraph, simply named Telegraph, where celebrities will no doubt vent their frustrations at feeling constantly damp.
Nearby is the Ye Oldee Shoppe, replacing the Outback Shack, which is manned by Kiosk Cledwyn the long lost Welsh cousin of Kiosk Kev who is ‘equally as grumpy’.
New character: Nearby is the Ye Oldee Shoppe, replacing the Outback Shack, which is manned by Kiosk Cledwyn the long lost Welsh cousin of Kiosk Kev who is ‘equally as grumpy’
That’s where the celebrities will exchange their Castle Coins won on challenges for much needed treats.
As per the Aussie version, campmates will have to compete in trials to win meals.
If unsuccessful, they will only be allowed basic rations – rice and beans.
The stars will be led to their challenges via the Trial Steps, which have replaced their wooden rope bridges used in the jungle.
Challenge: This is where the celebrities will exchange their Castle Coins won on challenges for much needed treats
Ye Hen Shop: There is even a Ye Olde Shoppe at Kiosk Cledwyn’s kiosk
Trial steps: The stars will be led to their challenges via the Trial Steps, which have replaced their wooden rope bridges used in the jungle
Hosts Ant and Dec, who will be presenting from their new studio next door, will enter the castle’s living quarters at the end of each episode to reveal which celebrity has been voted by the public to do the trials – which, like always, will feature critters.
ITV hired the 19th century castle for six weeks costing £1million after Covid-19 ruled out the usual setting in Australia.
The 2020 series, which starts on Sunday, is expected to last 20 days – two shorter than normal.
Other celebrities competing are Strictly star AJ Pritchard, 26, vlogger Giovanna Fletcher, 35, paralympian Hollie Arnold, 26, EastEnders actress Jessica Plummer, 28, Radio 1 DJ Jordan North, 30, funnyman Shane Richie, 56, TV presenter Vernon Kay, 46, and radio host Victoria Derbyshire, 52.
Exciting: Hosts Ant and Dec, who will be presenting from their new studio next door, will enter the castle’s living quarters at the end of each episode to reveal which celebrity has been voted by the public to do the trials
ITV announced an extreme Covid Management Plan to ensure the series runs smoothly. This includes the celebrities being tested every three days and crew members wearing proximity buzzers, wear masks and get temperature checks on arrival.
The celebrities have been isolating for two weeks ahead of their arrival.
ITV Studios Director of Entertainment, Richard Cowles, said: ‘Everyone on the production team has worked incredibly hard to bring I’m A Celebrity to Wales and a massive part of making that possible has been developing our protocols around Covid.
‘We have worked with ITV’s Independent Chief Medical Officer Dr Paul Litchfield, ITV’s Health and Safety Department and our own health and safety and medical teams to keep everyone connected with the production, both in front of and behind the camera, as safe as possible.’
Dr Paul Litchfield added: ‘Those involved in I’m A Celebrity are used to working safely in extreme and difficult environments. The procedures and protocols developed aim to provide defence in depth against the coronavirus, applying industry best practice while always adhering to government and local guidelines.
In the country: ITV hired the 19th century castle for six weeks costing £1million after Covid-19 ruled out the usual setting in Australia
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