A massive UK theme park costing £3.5billion to build and dubbed the UK's Disneyland has signed a deal with ITV Studios - meaning its celebrities and shows will be part of the park.
The London Resort will consist of two parks spread over 535 acres and will also have 3,500 hotel rooms and a huge entertainment district.
Initially the parent company behind the park, London Resort Company Holdings, had been in partnership with Paramount films, but they parted ways in 2017.
This new deal with ITV Studios will see characters and shows involved in the park, although we don’t know which ones yet, reports EssexLive .
The partnership could see any number of ITV’s huge brands involved in the project, as the studios’ portfolio includes names like I’m A Celebrity, Come Dine With Me, The Voice, Saturday Night Takeaway and Hell’s Kitchen.
It will be built in the Swanscombe Peninsular near Dartford, which is just 17 miles from Essex, reports EssexLive.
It’s believed that The London Resort has already made a deal with Aardman Animations which is behind TV phenomenons Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.
There are also partnerships with the British Film Institute and BBC Worldwide, which is said to include the rights to use the Doctor Who and Sherlock brands, reports Leisure Opportunities.
The London Resort will have around 50 rides and attractions which will be a mixture of family-friendly experiences and white knuckle rides.
There will now be a number of ‘themed lands’ at The London Resort, so ITV Studios could account for one of those.
“We are thrilled to be on board with this world class project, which will offer fans a whole new way to experience our brand”, said Steve Green, from ITV Studios Global Entertainment.
“ITV Studios creates more than TV, building global franchises loved by generations of families, and we look forward to seeing one of our biggest global brands brought to life on such a grand scale right here in the UK."
Steve Norris, the chairman of The London Resort Company Holdings, added: “To create a world class destination, you have to work with world class partners and ITV Studios ticks every box.
“Globally recognised for its rich heritage of creating some of the most popular and entertaining content on the small screen, ITV has properties which have never been transformed into truly unique experiences.
“That’s the vision and I’m delighted to welcome them on board for what promises to be an epic journey.”
The London Resort will be three times bigger than any other park in the UK and for now, it is expected to open in 2024
