Fears for I’m A Celeb final as hurricane-force cyclone poised to smash Aussie coast with ITV set in path of destruction
A HURRICANE-force cyclone is barrelling towards the I’m A Celeb camp and could wreak havoc ahead of the final.
The ITV set in Australia is directly in Cyclone Jasper’s path of destruction with 120mph winds and heavy rain.
It is feared the storm will intensify to a category 4 overnight as it hurtles towards the Queensland coast.
And it may even reach category 5 by Friday – the highest cyclone strength designation which could see gusts of over 157mph.
The terrifying storm is set to make landfall over the weekend as this year’s I’m A Celeb contestants spend their last days in camp before Sunday’s finale.
Nick Pickard was the fourth star to be booted out Wednesday evening, leaving Nigel Farage, Josie Gibson, Sam Thompson, Marvin Humes, Danielle Harold and Tony Bellew to fight for the final spots.
This year’s Celebrity Cyclone trial is set to take place on Saturday as the final four jungle celebs tackle a huge slip-and-slide to try to win stars for the camp.
The winner will then be crowned on Sunday evening.
The Sun this week revealed show bosses are on “high alert” over the storm as it threatens to ruin Saturday’s iconic challenge.
An insider said: “Production are aware of the threat and the safety of the celebrities is their priority
“ITV are watching Cyclone Jasper very closely.
“It has formed hundreds of miles off the coast but the storm is developing and intensifying by the hour.
“The safety of the celebrities is of the utmost importance to ITV and they are monitoring the situation.
“The timing could not be more apt, as the cyclone is on course to hit when the stars are taking on that very challenge.
“This year the celebs have had to endure pretty horrible weather and just as the sun started to shine, it’s all going south again.
“ITV are ready for any eventuality but, ultimately, Cyclone Jasper could be an absolute nightmare and wreak havoc. The team are watching and waiting with bated breath.”
The cyclone is today tracking towards Cairns – and communities in Mackay have been warned to prepare as it rapidly sweeps in.
Mackay Regional Council mayor Greg Williamson told the Today programme: “We’ve been through this before on many occasions, as has all of north Queensland.
“What we’re telling our residents is you need to be prepared.”
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said the impact of the storm could be felt much further, however.
It said: “Every year tropical cyclones impact Queensland communities producing dangerous and destructive high winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding and storm surges.
“Tropical cyclones can last for many days before finally ending over land or cold oceans.
“The wind and rain that comes with them can affect far further than where the cyclone lands.”
Queensland was last hit by a tropical cyclone nearly two years ago, with two deaths amid devastating flooding when Cyclone Seth struck in January 2022.
The Sun has contacted ITV for comment.