I’m A Celebrity ‘could stay in the UK for another TWO YEARS if Covid-19 travel restrictions remain’

I’m A Celebrity ‘could stay in the UK for another TWO YEARS if Covid-19 travel restrictions remain… with producers already talking to Gwrych Castle’s owners about availability until 2022’

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! could be filmed in the UK for another two years if Covid-19 restrictions remain in place, it has been claimed.

The popular ITV show is usually filmed in Murwillumbah, Australia, however it will be relocating to Gwrych Castle in Wales this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It has now been reported that producers have had ‘informal’ talks with the venue’s owners about availability at the location until 2022 in case the show can’t move back to Oz, reports The Sun.

In for the long haul? I’m A Celebrity could be filmed in the UK for two years if coronavirus travel restrictions remain in place, it has been claimed (hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are pictured in Wales)

It is thought that producers are worried how the show will be impacted if travel restrictions are still in place on the team relocating to Australia.

Production could also be hit by any local lockdowns in Murwillumbah or guidelines brought in back home in the UK. 

A source told the publication: ‘There is a very real chance that the show will be in the UK again next year, so producers are trying to get their ducks in a row and have a plan B like this time around. 

‘They have informally spoken to the owners of the castle and asked about its availability over the next two years — so into 2022.

New digs: The show is usually filmed in Murwillumbah, Australia, however it will be relocating to Gwrych Castle in Wales (pictured) this year due to the coronavirus pandemic

New digs: The show is usually filmed in Murwillumbah, Australia, however it will be relocating to Gwrych Castle in Wales (pictured) this year due to the coronavirus pandemic

‘They are hopeful that the change of scenery will be a hit with viewers — and that could make it a shame to go rushing back to Australia unless it is absolutely necessary.’

MailOnline has contacted ITV for a comment.  

It comes after crew members reportedly spent last weekend drying out Gwrych Castle after it became flooded.

The upcoming series of the reality show is being filmed in the Abergele castle in North Wales amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Different views: A source said producers of the show are hoping the Welsh scenery will 'be a hit with viewers' adding that it would be a 'shame to go rushing back to Australia unless it is absolutely necessary' (Ant and Dec pictured in Oz in 2019)

Different views: A source said producers of the show are hoping the Welsh scenery will ‘be a hit with viewers’ adding that it would be a ‘shame to go rushing back to Australia unless it is absolutely necessary’ (Ant and Dec pictured in Oz in 2019)

According to The Sun, parts of the new set at the castle were left soaked and the crew spent much of the weekend trying to get the place back in shape.   

A source said: ‘The crew are working around the clock as it is. But because of the dreadful weather they spent much of the weekend trying to remove standing water from areas of the building.

‘They’re now trying to work out a way to make sure that, if there’s bad weather when the show airs in November, it doesn’t affect filming.’ 

The bad weather came as Bear Grylls warned I’m A Celeb contestants that they will face ‘brutal’ weather and potentially even snow on the upcoming series.

Umbrellas at the ready: Presenters Ant and Dec recently shared footage of themselves caught in a rainstorm at the show's new home in North Wales

Umbrellas at the ready: Presenters Ant and Dec recently shared footage of themselves caught in a rainstorm at the show’s new home in North Wales

Downpour: The presenters looked in good spirits despite the dreary weather in Wales

Downpour: The presenters looked in good spirits despite the dreary weather in Wales

Downpour: The presenters looked in good spirits despite the dreary weather in Wales

The TV survival expert, 46, has said this year’s series could provide campmates with their toughest challenge yet.

He said the celebrities, who will enter the castle in November, could have to deal with gale-force winds, rain and even snow during filming.  

The former SAS trooper – who has organised survival academies in nearby Snowdonia – told The Star: ‘The bad weather in Wales will be brutal.

‘You get persistent wind and rain and that makes people cold fast. Contestants should not underestimate it.’

Long-range forecasts predict temperatures could plunge below zero in the area, with experts telling The Star that there could be winds of 35 mph on some days.  

Shock: It comes after Bear Grylls warned I'm A Celeb contestants they will face grim weather and potentially even snow on the upcoming series of the ITV show

Shock: It comes after Bear Grylls warned I’m A Celeb contestants they will face grim weather and potentially even snow on the upcoming series of the ITV show

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