I’m a Celebrity likely to stay in Gwrych Castle after Australia rules out reopening border

I’m a Celebrity is likely to stay in Wales this year after Australia ruled our reopening its borders until 2022.

It means the ITV series could be held at Gwrych Castle for a second time this November, according to the Mirror newspaper.

Australia’s federal government expects the country’s borders to remain largely closed until mid-2022. Last year the government predicted borders would be open by October 2021.

The delay from an October border reopening is largely because of a slower than expected vaccine roll-out, which has been complicated by national health advice that the AstraZeneca vaccine not be administered to those under 50 years old.

I’m a Celebrity bosses had previously said they were exploring the possibility of keeping the show in Wales for the next two years as the Covid situation remains unclear.

Production chiefs had requested a place big enough to house the purpose-built sets and trials built especially for Gwrych Castle near Abergele.

However, they also made it clear that they would return to Australia if Covid restrictions made it possible to do so.

Executive producer Richard Cowles said in December: “Australia has been I’m A Celebrity’s natural home and the Welsh version was born out of necessity rather than choice.”

The owners of Gwrych Castle claimed that the show had brought in over £1m to Wales’ economy. The production was also generally praised for its attitude towards Wales and the Welsh language, even playing Welsh language music over the closing credits.