I’m A Celebrity faces being in Wales AGAIN as Australia rules out opening borders until 2022
I'M A Celebrity faces being held in Wales AGAIN as Australia rules out opening borders until 2022.
The ITV reality was held at Gwrych Castle in North Wales last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It was previously reported that there would be no flights from UK to Australia until next winter.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed that he intended to keep Australia’s borders closed indefinitely, saying the completion of the vaccine rollout did not guarantee a reopening.
Hopes are growing that when Australia's Covid vaccine rollout is completed late this year it can reopen the country to the rest of the world and for a new set of jungle campmates in November.
In a recently Facebook post he warned borders would only be opened “when it is safe to do so".
Under current Covid rules, each I’m A Celeb cast and crew member would need to apply for individual travel exemptions in order to make to film the show Down Under.
A source told the : “I’m A Celebrity will happen this year, it is just a case of deciding the location.”
A delay in getting Covid vaccines sent to Australia is partly to blame for the border closures.
However I'm A Celebrity bosses have secured Gwrych Castle again this year amid fears Covid will prevent a return to Australia.
The Sun revealed that they are keen to move it back to its traditional home Down Under but have the 202-year-old North Wales relic from September as back-up.
An insider said: “Ultimately they are at the mercy of Covid-19 restrictions.
"Formally an agreement is in place for the use of Gwrych Castle this year.
“Should the show need to be held there again it has all got the green light.”
The source went on: “A huge amount of work went into readying the building so the basics are all laid down and ready to go.
“The castle format ended up being a huge success for ITV and having a second series in Wales wouldn’t be a negative for them.
“But going back to Australia is what everyone wants and that is what everyone is working towards and hoping for.”
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The last series, hosted as usual by Ant McPartlin, and Declan Donnelly, both 45, saw 10.2million tune in to see Giovanna Fletcher, 35, be crowned castle queen.
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Should Australia wait until the world has been jabbed, it could well trap Australians at home until well into 2022 or even 2023.
Earlier this month Australia made it illegal to fly home from Covid-ravaged India under threat of five years in jail or a $66,600 fine.