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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Kirsten McStay

I'm a Celebrity 2020 cancelled? ITV bosses reveal if show is likely to return

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! is the highlight of our TV screens every November but is the coronavirus pandemic putting it in jeopardy of returning to our screens this year?

The popular ITV reality television series is set in the Australian jungle towards the end of the year meaning TV bosses have quite some time to decide if the show will air or not, but ITV is prepared for all scenarios - including if they will have to pull the plug on it.

Speaking at the Edinburgh Television Festival via video link last month, ITV boss Kevin Lygo revealed that the series "looks likely to return this year".

We can't imagine the show returning without our favourite hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, either.

However, he did add that they would be looking at potential alternatives to replace the show in schedules should they be forced to cancel the series due to coronavirus pandemic fears.

According to a source for  The Sun  last month, ITV is already advertising for and hiring crew members for the next series of the show.

They told the paper: "ITV is certain lockdown will be well over by the time I’m A Celeb normally starts which is in November.

"Every year it's a ratings smash and this year will more than likely be even bigger as the public will be desperate for some fresh and uplifting TV."

The paper also revealed last month that bosses are hoping to get around issues with COVID-19 by having contestants quarantined for two weeks in Australia before going into the jungle.

They also added that "people signed up for the show have been told to expect a longer stay in Oz – and also a larger cheque."

(ITV)

Reports have already suggested that ex-Coronation Street star Beverly Callard has signed up for the new run of episodes, while Love Island favourite Maura Higgins and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? cheating scandal star Charles Ingram are also tipped to join the series.

According to  Oddschecker, we could expect appearances from Mark Ian Hoyle (1/4), Paul Merson (1/3), Ricky Hatton (1/3), and AJ Pritchard (4/6).

Essentially, if the show does return, it looks set to be another brilliant series.

ITV have been approached for comment on the show's return.

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