I’m A Celeb cast will ‘switch kangaroo for Welsh lamb and baked beans’ in major shake up of camp life
I’M A Celebrity campmates are in for a treat this year as”kangaroo will be switched for Welsh lamb and baked beans”.
The ITV show will be like no other this year after swapping the jungle in Australia for freezing north Wales.
The Mail Online revealed that viewers will see celebrities compete to add local delicacies such as Welsh lamb to their rations.
Bosses have made a few tweaks as a nod to the show’s new location, including swapping usual cannellini beans to haricot beans in recognition to the British cupboard favourite, baked beans.
There have been a series of changes have been made to the show’s new location, Gwrych Castle.
Taking inspiration from its former Aussie jungle location, producers have designed a communal area with a fire as the main focal point for the camp.
There have also been adjustments to the celebrities outfits who are are likely to face sub-zero temperatures.
I’m a Celeb bosses have splashed a fortune on foul-weather gear for this year’s contestants.
ITV chiefs have now taken expert medical advice on how the celebs can avoid frostbite and hypothermia in the howling Welsh winter.
As a result, they have bought top-of-the range outdoor clothing, sleeping bags and even scores of insulating foil blankets usually used for marathon runners.
Contestants are set to be battered by strong winds, heavy rain and even snow as they star in the show.
Long-range weather calculations predict days of leaden 100 per cent cloud cover, with temperatures struggling to get above zero.
Each star will receive a full set of thermal underwear as well as a padded gilet.
A telly source said: “The bosses are taking no chances and have bought the best of everything.
“It is one thing roughing it in the heat of Australia, but quite another kettle of fish in the Welsh countryside.
“They’ve taken medical advice on the risks posed by the cold weather and have stocked up on appropriate clothing and bedding.”
This year will also see the number of crew dramatically reduced – usually there is 600, but there is thought to be well under half of that.
While, support staff will work from home or at ITV offices in London.
Viewers will be sad to hear the medic Bob will not be returning – but the campmates will still be in safe hands with a local medical team.
In another big change, families of the contestants have always lived the life of luxury in the Gold Coast’s Palazzo Versace when staying Down Under but this year there will be no free holidays for the campmates loved ones.
I’m A Celeb will be live every night from the castle this autumn and it’s promising “gruelling trials” and will be taken to different areas to tackle the various tasks.
The ruins are said to be haunted by the ghost of the previous owner, the Countess of Dundonald.
The Woman in White, as the locals know her as, is said to be angry that her husband stripped the castle of her valuables and sold them.
They’re set to have a medieval theme, including jousting, dungeons and even fake gallows. The freezing waters of the nearby Irish Sea could also be used.
Despite the tweaks, viewers will be excited to see the return of the classic red phone box – where campmates receive a quiz question to answer in the chance to win a treat for their camp.
Richard Cowles, director of entertainment at ITV Studios said: “The Australian jungle is such an integral part of the show it was a big challenge to find a UK location where we could continue to deliver what viewers love about I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
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“But Gwrych will definitely do that; the Castle sits in an amazing and
atmospheric setting on a hillside overlooking the Irish Sea.
“While there will be plenty of changes required as we move from New South Wales in Australia to North Wales in the UK, we are really excited to see how we can adapt the format and make the Castle our new home for a very special 20th series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! this Autumn.”