I’m A Celebrity ‘set to return later this year’ despite coronavirus pandemic as show bosses ‘hold virtual talks’ to prepare for new series
- ITV are reportedly planning to go ahead with I’m A Celeb later this year despite the current coronavirus pandemic
- Bosses are hopeful lockdown will be over by November, allowing filming for the show to resume overseas in Australia
- ITV are ‘holding virtual meetings’ to plan for the new series and tap up potential celebrity campmates for its 2020 series
- It comes as fans are waiting to hear whether shows like Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing will return this year, given COVID-19
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is reportedly set to still go ahead later this year, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
The COVID-19 lockdown has seen many movies and TV shows forced to halt production and postpone filming dates, but new reports suggest ITV are already preparing for I’m A Celeb’s 2020 series.
Sources tell The Sun that show bosses are ‘holding virtual talks’ to plan for the show’s return, as they anticipate a huge response from viewers following the pandemic.
All systems go? ITV is reportedly set to return later this year despite the coronavirus pandemic
A TV source told the paper: ‘ITV are certain lockdown will be well over by the time I’m A Celeb normally starts which is in November.
‘Every year it’s a ratings smash and this year will more than likely be even bigger as the public will be desperate for some fresh and uplifting TV.’
Insiders added that ITV have already started ‘hiring and advertising for crew’ in Australia, where I’m A Celebrity is filmed each year, and meetings are being held virtually to discuss potential celebrity campmates.
MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for ITV for comment.
Plan of action: Show bosses are currently ‘holding virtual talks’ while preparing for the new series and lining up potential celebrity campmates (Pictured L-R: Kate Garraway, Jacqueline Jossa, Roman Kemp and Andrew Whyment)
Last year’s series saw former EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa win I’m A Celebrity, while Corrie star Andrew Whyment finished in second and Capital FM radio DJ Roman Kemp came in third place.
2019’s series also saw the return of Ant McPartlin as show host, alongside Declan Donnelly.
Ant had missed I’m A Celebrity in 2018 and Holly Willoughby was drafted in to replace the presenter and host alongside Dec, as Ant took an extended break from TV.
The duo are currently onscreen hosting the new series of Britain’s Got Talent, with the show airing its audition rounds that were filmed before coronavirus lockdown measures were put in place.
Positive thinking: It’s believed ITV are hopeful the lockdown will be over by November, meaning they can resume filming for the show out in Australia
Reigning queen: Jacqueline Jossa (pictured centre) won the 2019 series of I’m A Celebrity
ITV have said that they will be postponing BGT’s live shows until later in the year, in order to adhere to current restrictions amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Fans, however, are still waiting to hear whether a number of shows will be going ahead in 2020, after it was revealed this year’s series of The Apprentice has been cancelled by BBC.
Love Island is due to return for its summer series, that usually goes to air at the end of May/beginning of June in Majorca.
It’s first ever winter series took place in South Africa in January, with Laura Whitmore as host, but no confirmation has yet been given or whether the summer series will still go ahead.
Strictly Come Dancing bosses, meanwhile, are reportedly in talks over this year’s show, with reports claiming the BBC has drafted up a precautionary list of British dancers to replace its professional dancers, if travel restrictions are still in place at the time of filming and prevent their stars from entering the UK.
UK-based dancers are being ‘lined up’ to take part in the early stages of rehearsals that kick off from July if need be.
Up in the air: Other shows like Love Island are still up in the air when it comes to returning this year, due to the current lockdown measures in place and the coronavirus pandemic