I’m A Celeb bosses frantically scrambling to save 2020 series as new coronavirus rules put signed-up stars in lockdown
I'M A CELEBRITY… Get Me Out Of Here! bosses are frantically scrambling to save the 2020 series as new coronavirus rules put signed-up stars in lockdown.
Earlier today, it was announced that London and Essex were joining Manchester in Tier 2 lockdown as of midnight on Saturday [17 October].
These are the three most popular areas in the UK for celebs to live, and home to several of this year's stars - including hosts Ant and Dec, who live in South West London.
While the line-up is still yet to be announced, Andi Peters, AJ Pritchard, and Tamzin Outhwaite are among the Londoners to have been linked to the series.
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has also warned that people from England's Tier 2 and 3 areas will not be allowed to cross the border into the country as of 6pm tomorrow.
And if any area crosses into Tier 3 territory, there is even more trouble ahead as you are then not allowed to leave the area for any reason - including making a TV show in a Welsh castle.
As a result, ITV have a huge job on their hands to salvage the show, as if the contestants and hosts are restricted to their local area, or remain banned from Wales, they won't be able to go ahead with filming.
When approached by The Sun Online, an I'm A Celeb rep said: "I'm A Celebrity continues to adhere to all relevant guidelines as well as our own strict Covid protocols."
A show insider added that they will stop at nothing to get the show on our screens in November as planned, telling us: "ITV bosses are working hard to get the show to air and there have been a lot of meetings behind the scenes on how they can make things work. They're determined for the show to go ahead, as long as it's safe."
Bosses were already forced to ditch their usual filming location of an Australian jungle due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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They shelled out millions to secure spooky Gwrych Castle for six weeks, as well as fixing it up to ensure that it is TV ready.
To add to the chaos, the UK's ever-changing restrictions mean that it is impossible to predict which lockdown rules will be in place when filming is scheduled to begin next month.
It is possible that the Tier 2 areas would have been downgraded back to 1, or that there is a new system in place entirely.
Producers will be closely monitoring the situation, but it is unknown when they will make a final decision about I'm A Celeb's fate.