I’m A Celebrity 2020 has had its share of disasters. Fans have been asking for the show’s cancellation until the series can be returned to Australia. Ant and Dec both admitted that they missed the Australian jungle.
The first week of the reality show, now in its second year at Wales’ Gwrych Castle, has already seen the departure of hotly-anticipated contestant Richard Madeley due to illness, cancelled shows due to extreme weather conditions and stars removed from the castle after Storm Arwen sent a 100ft tree crashing into a wall of the building.
Two episodes of the show have been cancelled this weekend because of the disruption to production caused by the storm – with reruns of the show’s heyday in Australia aired to fill the gap.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and subsequent Australian border restrictions make it unclear when this show will come back to Australia. However, the future of the show is still up.
It will continue. I’m A Celebrity 2021 has been beset by disasters – with fans begging for the show to go on hiatus until it can return to Australia and hosts Ant and Dec admitting they are missing the Australian jungle (pictured Wales’ Gwrych Castle)
Ant and Dec showed that they too were longing to be in the jungle, and answered a fan’s question on Saturday with: “Bless you.” Sorry we can’t be there but hope you’re enjoying seeing the show in Oz again! D x
With archive footage of Australia’s greatest moments, the compilation clips that aired on Saturday featured some of Australia’s best-known moments. The voiceover was provided by Ant and Dec.
Some viewers back home were not impressed by the throwback program. They claimed it just showed ‘how better it was in Australia’, and demanded that the network’scrap it’ until the show could be returned to the jungle.
Stars have been forced to endure freezing 8°C cold temperatures and no protection from the elements after bosses shelled out £1 million to secure use of the site when production was forced to be relocated from Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Australia? The hosts replied, ‘Blessings! Sorry we can’t be there but hope you’re enjoying seeing the show in Oz again! D x
Got out of there: In a major blow to the show as one of their top signings, Richard Madeley, who was paid an estimated £200,000 to star in this year’s competition, was taken ill on Thursday hours after participating in a gruelling trial and complaining about the castle’s freezing temperatures
They said that they were able to see the show in its finest at the jungle downunder, which made them realize how disappointed they were with the results.
Taking to Twitter, one viewer wrote: ‘Slight backfire for ITV with the Legends #imaceleb programme just highlighting how much better it was Australia…’
Another added: ‘Watching this makes you realise how p**s poor it is now, just scrap it till it can be done in Australia again.’
The third regretted: “This makes me miss Australia so much!”
A fourth chimed in: ‘These flashback shows show that the show used to be a lot more brutal than it is now, and it’s also so much better in the jungle!’
Missed out: DJ Locksmith was reportedly lined up to be Richard’s replacement but has lost out on an I’m Celeb stint after his hospital visit broke ‘Covid bubble’
Chaos: I’m A Celebrity’s I’m A Celebrity Campmates were recently removed from Gwrych Castle, as Storm Arwen continues its technical problems
Can’t wait until it returns to the jungle. It’s amazing how enjoyable it is to watch, said another.
Ant & Dec did not present Friday’s episode live for the first time in the show’s 19-year history and filmed their segments earlier in the afternoon ahead of the storm worsening.
In a major blow to the show as one of their top signings, Richard Madeley, who was paid an estimated £200,000 to star in this year’s competition, was taken ill on Thursday hours after participating in a gruelling trial and complaining about the castle’s freezing temperatures.
This 65-year-old presenter was not able to come back as he had broken the show’s ‘Covid bubble. Ant and Dec felt ‘gutted’ when Richard assured them that he was healthy and had been granted a clean bill of health in his first interview following leaving I’m A Celebrity Camp on Friday’s episode.
In a pre-recorded chat the broadcaster told the Geordie duo that ‘if it wasn’t for Covid, he’d still be in the game’ and that ITV were ‘adamant’ he was sent to hospital to be checked over.
On Friday’s episode Richard joined Ant and Dec for an interview and joked as he mimed removing a thermometer: ‘I’ll just remove the thermometer… yes, still normal.’
When asked if he felt okay, the star replied that ‘I feel fit like a fiddle and I feel fit like a fiddle. Covid saved my life. I wouldn’t be able to eat rice and beans again.
‘I had to leave… it’s a Covid situation. The Covid situation is still biting at our bums. The funny thing was that it happened very late in the morning.
Weather: The remaining stars will individually return to quarantine to ensure they remain covid secure and will only return once the whole production is safely re-established
He added: “ITV are so great with duty of care. They refused. They were insistent. So I went to the local hospital – I was only in there for about an hour and a half – I was given really thorough checks and I was given a completely clean bill of health, I’m absolutely fine. I am absolutely fine, no matter what anyone might think.
Richard didn’t plan to return home at all, and the campmates were told by Richard. They were then shown a video message.
In the clip Richard said: ‘Hi guys, first thing to tell you straight away is I’m completely fine, it was what was known as a false alarm but I had to come out for a couple of hours of medical checks.
“I am as fit as a fiddle” in which case, I would/should be back with you. However, Covid is our friend and we had to bring the bug out and ruin the experience for the Covid viewers and us. My adventure has ended.
Change: It comes after ITV bosses announced that the two live shows on Saturday and Sunday would be scrapped due to the bad weather and replaced with compilation clips looking back at previous series – while they hope normal service will resume next week
Safety first. The treacherous storm will force the series’ stars to spend the night in the castle.
He added: “I want to express my love for you.
“We all can talk to one another again, and maybe meet up. Anyway, I will keep an eye on the results and wish everyone all the luck and love.
Richard was set to be replaced by DJ Locksmith from Rudimental, but he reportedly lost on the spot after he was rushed to hospital with an unknown medical condition. To replace Richard, no celebrity is expected to enter the camp.
Leon Rolle (real name DJ) was reported as being a stand in contestant.
The I’m A Celebrity campmates have recently been removed from the Castle in north Wales after Storm Arwen sent a 100ft tree crashing into a wall of the building – and it’s feared that the show’s return could be delayed for days after filming equipment was damaged.
Nightmare: It was thought that the gale at 70 mph knocked out satellite systems and caused huge technical disruption for the production crew
The stars will individually go back into quarantine to ensure they remain covid secure and will only return once the whole production is safely re-established, the technical difficulties are sorted out and the weather conditions died down.
ITV chiefs expect normal service to resume next week.
ITV issued the following statement, “While we restore the production base after the storm caused technical difficulties,”
Celebrities will remain in quarantine as before the show, when they were in rural cottages.
Reaction: Fans were gutted to hear the news of the show being cancelled after looking forward to tuning in, with one writing: ‘That’s a shame, but safety comes first, and that’s what counts!’
According to The Sun, the second tree, which was also 100ft high, fell into castle ramparts as it was being lifted by wind. It ended up in the area near Cledwyn’s Kiosk.
A source told the publication of the possible delays to the show coming back on air: ‘This is a crushing blow. This storm has caused a complete blindsidement and no one could have predicted the destruction it would bring.
The tent that houses the scanners and the editing suite for TV, as well as our IT equipment, is the most damaged of all our production areas. It is visible from the outside.
“At the moment we do not know how much damage was done to equipment and cannot enter until that has been determined safe.
“But, we need to fix everything and the holiday buys us time. It is our hope that it will suffice and we can be back on Monday. We need to be given the go-ahead for more employees on the set in order to proceed. However, at this moment nothing can be guaranteed.
Change: Ant and Dec posted a short clip of themselves at Ant’s Welsh cottage on Saturday ahead of the compilation show and said: ‘Hello and welcome to I’m A Celeb, live from my cottage kitchen, this is the best we can do at the minute as we can’t get into site at the minute’
MailOnline reached out to ITV for more information.
The cancellation comes just days after the show had been cancelled because of disruptions caused by the storm.
Aside from Friday’s program, hosts Ant and Dec prerecorded it for the first time ever in show history after the extreme weather.
The earlier ITV statement about the cancelled shows said: ‘Owing to technical difficulties caused by extreme weather conditions in the area, there will be no new episodes of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! This weekend, Saturday and Sunday.
“I’m a Celebrity…Get me Out of Here!” will be replaced tonight and tomorrow night in the ITV schedules by compilation shows (voiced by Ant & Dec) featuring best moments from previous series.’
The gale of 70 mph was believed to have knocked out satellites and caused major technical problems for the crew.
Destruction: As exclusive pictures show, marquees where presenters Ant and Dec are driven into were ripped to shreds
Storm Arwen impact: The roofs were ripped off and canopies torn apart as the gales struck
Safety first: ITV took extra precautions to ensure the celebrities were safe, but the devastation was felt around the set with a three week programme going out nightly
While it was possible for things to continue as normal over the weekend, storm Arwen made changes necessary.
After looking forward to watching the show, many fans were devastated to learn that the programs had been cancelled. One wrote: “That’s a shame. But safety is what matters.
One said, “Nooooooooooo keep safe everybody!” While one said, “Noooooooooo keep safe everybody!” and another fumed: “UGH! I HATE WEATHERRR!”
Another person wrote “Bummer Not On” for the next two night! You are a fool!”, and a fifth wrote: “Stay Safe All We Understand!”
Ant and Dec shared a brief clip at Ant’s Welsh Cottage on Saturday before the compilation show. They said, ‘Hello and Welcome to I’m a Celeb. This is all we can do right now as we are unable to get in site.
We don’t have live TV tonight, or tomorrow night. They are not scripts. In fact they were just pieces of paper found. ITV has a highlight show tonight that we voice. Let’s get Saturday dinner take-out and then watch I’m a Celeb. We can do this! In my cottage!’
Keeping track: Urgent checks had been made to satellite equipment to ensure that Ant & Dec can resume live broadcasts on Saturday, after Friday night’s live show was cancelled and pre-recorded material used due to storm warnings
Tragic: Following shots exhibited the damage done to a subsequent tent, which had collapsed into a recreational vehicle and exposed a series of metal poles
Terrifying: Sections of its roof had blown away, which exposed scaffolding structures and demountable buildings beneath to strong wind and rain
Protection: Extreme weather warnings have forced the show’s producers to take emergency measures to protect its stars who are staying in the 19th century castle
As I’m A Celebrity’s production went out, it was deemed “like a bomb hit” as the hurricane poured its entire force into the castle where eleven celebrities are huddled.
Security personnel and production workers were forced to run and were “blown off their feet” by 70mph winds that battered North Wales’ 19th Century Gwrych Castle.
Exclusive photos show that the marquees in which Ant and Dec were driven were torn to pieces, with roofs ripped and canopies torn as the gales raged.
ITV made extra security measures to make sure celebrities were secure, but it was still a disaster on the set. A three-week programme was broadcast every night for the next three weeks.
Urgent checks had initially been made to satellite equipment to ensure that Ant & Dec can resume live broadcasts on Saturday, after Friday night’s live show was cancelled and pre-recorded material used due to storm warnings.
Weather woes: The castle had been taking a weather battering with gale force winds and driving rain bringing down tree branches and safety signs
Bad weather: Signs and fencing were destroyed in the vicinity of the defunct Welsh castle.
Sources said that it was scary. The castle was in front and people ran all over trying to get property or the fencing.
People were literally swept off their feet. It was a good thing that nobody suffered any serious injuries.
“But it appears like a terrorist has struck the site.” The marquee roofs are torn and the equipment, along with fencing, has been removed.
“It’s devastating. Producers have done a great job in recruiting extra employees and taking additional measures.
Celebs were required to remain separate from all others who are not part of the Anti-Covid Bubble and kept safe as the storm raged.
The castle is surrounded by caravans that house security personnel. Christmas lights were blown to pieces as a result.
On Saturday, urgent clearing up was taking place and repairs will be carried out to the marquees, where Ant & Dec and all others who arrive undergo security checks and asked to disinfect their hands.
Better days? I’m A Celebs was not a hit with viewers at home. They said that it showed the Australia series were better. (Ant and Dec pictured here in Australia in 2019).
Other images show how the severe weather affected a large tent that protected several trailers and vans used for the production. Onlookers claim all the non-essential staff were evacuated because of the hazardous conditions.
Bosses were forced to pre-record Friday’s show amid safety concerns for contestants at Gwrych Castle in North Wales, with hosts Ant and Dec recording their segments earlier that afternoon.
A section of the roof had fallen off, leaving exposed structures like scaffolding and other buildings.
These photos showed the destruction done to an adjacent tent which collapsed into a recreation vehicle.
ITV A slight backfire for ITV Home viewers were not impressed by the compromise, and they urged ITV to “scrap” the show until the jungle can be returned.
MailOnline received this statement from ITV: “Tonight’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Out Of Here!” Because of the Storm Arwen developing and preventive measures that we have taken on production, it will be broadcast pre-recorded rather than live.
‘Ant & Dec will record their links early evening and these will be played out during tonight’s show. We have plans to protect our celebrities and staff from any weather, so we will keep them inside the castle.
In a clip that was posted on their Instagram before the show, the pair explained the changes to the setup with strong winds and storm clearly heard in the background.
Dec stated: “So, you probably know that we have to record the show earlier tonight due to the winds and storm Arwen. It is bad. You can feel the wind whipping.
The satellite will be down, and everyone fears that this could cause it to crash. Live shows can become very risky. We will be recording it tonight as that is the first time that we have done this.
Then he joked that it was windy and worse because he had lentils for lunch. Ant also feels a little windy!
Frankie Bridge (star) and Naughty boy (stars who disagreed on Thursday’s show about rice), will have to face additional tensions as the storm strikes, forcing contestants into the frozen castle.
Gwrych Castle has taken a beating from wind gusts and rain, bringing down trees and safety signs.
According to the Met Office, there are worse things in the vicinity of the castle due to a storm that they gave the Welsh name Arwen.
Security guards brought in to Gwrych Castle by eleven celebrities to safeguard them had to abandon their posts after the first heavy blasts. They had to retrieve the fencing that had been damaged and then reposition it.
Signs that had been secured with sandbags were blown onto the roads so cars could avoid them.
Producers of Extreme Weather Warnings had to resort to emergency actions to ensure the safety and comfort of their stars while they are in the castle from the 19th Century.
According to the Met Office, Storm Arwen would bring strong winds from the north into parts of Wales and western England on Friday and Saturday.
Gwrych Castle can be found high above the ground in an open field, just a half mile from Liverpool Bay and bordering the Irish Sea.
According to the Met Office, flying debris could cause injuries or death to people.
“Some roads and bridges may close. There’s a chance of power outages, which could affect mobile coverage or other services.
Large waves, beach material and other debris thrown on to properties and roads along the coast can cause injuries and death.
Chaos: It was thought that the gale at 70 mph knocked out satellite systems and caused huge technical disruption for the production crew