Channel Ten deny claims I’m a Celebrity will be cancelled despite low ratings

Channel Ten have denied claims I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia will be axed despite low ratings.

Last year, the show launched to 980,000 viewers which was an overall decline from its 2018 premiere to 1.1 million viewers.

But on Sunday, Ten told Daily Mail Australia I’m a Celebrity will ‘certainly be airing in early 2021’.

‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will certainly air in early 2021 as planned. We are working on logistics and look forward to bringing the series to screens this summer,’ a Ten spokesperson said.

In 2018, season five of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! pulled in an audience of 1,098,000 in the five captial cities.

In comparison, I’m A Celebrity’s inaugural season in 2015 premiered to 1,199,000 viewers, and the first episode of the 2016 season drew an audience of 1,324,000.

In 2017, ratings for the first episode dipped to 1,103,000 viewers.

On Friday, it was announced the UK version of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will moved from Australia to the UK for the first time ever.

ITV announced the new series would be filmed at a ‘ruined castle’ in the countryside, with unconfirmed reports stating production will be relocated to North Wales.

It comes just a week after bosses confirmed that the new series would go ahead this year after the coronavirus pandemic threw its future into question. 

Richard Cowles, Director of Entertainment at ITV Studios said: ‘We pulled out all the stops to try and make the series happen in Australia.

‘Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and despite us looking at many different contingencies, it became apparent that it just wasn’t possible for us to travel and make the show there. 

‘However, we are all really excited about a UK version of I’m A Celebrity. While it will certainly be different producing the show from the UK, the same tone and feel will remain.’