I’m A Celebrity start date confirmed as November 15th in Wales despite national lockdown

I’M A Celebrity's start date has been confirmed in Wales despite a national lockdown.

The ITV show will start on Sunday, November 15th despite England's month-long lockdown kicking off on Thursday and the two-week firebreak restrictions already in place in Wales.

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The fortnight-long action in Wales will lift on November 9th while England will be in lockdown until December 2nd, with people banned from leaving their homes, except for work, education, medical reasons, exercise, shopping or providing care to the vulnerable.

However, stars including EastEnders actress Jessica Plummer, 28, TV host Vernon Kay, 46, Olympian Sir Mo Farah, 37, and soap star Shane Richie, 56, will be allowed to take part as they are deemed to be working, and in a Covid-free environment.

This year’s show will take place at a ­castle in North Wales due to Covid travel restrictions.

The set at the previously derelict 200-year-old castle will include familiar features such as the central camp fire, congregation and task areas, and an outside loo.

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ITV has carried out work at the castle to make it safe and will use generators for light and heat, as well as supplying a water tank.

And this year’s I’m A Celeb hopefuls have a whole new wardrobe to ward off the cold.

Instead of shorts, vests and sun hats, the stars will be kitted out with thick gilets, jackets, trousers and woolly hats.

ITV chiefs came up with the outfits to protect the celebs from bitter conditions expected during filming.

Instead of the 30C (86F) temperatures usually seen in Australia, they face around 11C (52F) in North Wales.

It comes after The Sun told how the camp — at Gwrych Castle in Abergele — would have a roof and heating for the first time.

A source said: “ITV are being careful that it doesn’t seem like a holiday camp, but it’s not going to be.

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“They have a duty to keep their campmates warm and alive, but rest assured it’s still going to be a rather uncomfortable, cold, damp, few weeks for those who go the distance.”

Other celebs lined up for this year’s contest include Corrie star Beverley Callard, 63, West End actress, singer and dancer Ruthie Henshall, 53, opera singer Russell Watson, 53, and Paralympian Hollie Arnold, 26.

Meanwhile, Ant and Dec have announced they will return to ITV in a one-off special looking back at the best of I'm A Celeb.

A Jungle Story will air on Sunday November 8th at 8:10pm.