I’m a Celebrity 2020 set to be filmed at castle in Wales

Gwrych Castle in North Wales has been tipped as the location for the series' twentieth season

Confirmed closures and reported improvement works have fuelled rumours that I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will take place at Gwrych Castle in North Wales this year.

It was announced earlier this month that the next season of the hit reality show will be filmed in the UK for the first time ever, rather than returning to its usual Australian outback location. The change is due to pandemic-related travel regulations.

Speculation surrounding the exact location of the show’s 20th season arose after it was reported that I’m A Celeb would broadcast each night from a “ruined countryside castle”.

While ITV have not confirmed where the forthcoming season will be held, Gwrych Castle in Abergele, North Wales was tipped as a possible site last week.

In a statement posted to their Facebook page, the castle’s management wrote that it would be temporarily closing to the public from Sunday 23 August until the New Year.

I’m a Celebrity 2019 line-up (ITV)

Hundreds of people commented on the post voicing their assumptions that this was confirmation of the rumours. One wrote, “Absolutely fantastic news for you; I hope this brings so much prosperity to the castle.”

Improvement works reportedly being carried out at the historic site suggest the same. Scaffolding and cranes are on-site, while a nearby caravan park has asked owners to rent out their caravans to cast and crew, according to North Wales Live.

Neither ITV nor Gwyrch Castle, however, have yet confirmed the rumours themselves.

Gwrych Castle and Estate was built in Abergele, North Wales, between 1812 and 1822. An American property purchased the estate in 1990 with the view of creating an opera centre and hotel, but instead the castle was asset-stripped and vandalised. It was then bought by a charitable trust in June 2018 in order to restore the estate.

It was also rumoured that, due to the colder climate and the series’ proximity to Halloween, the 20th series of I’m a Celebrity could feature a spooky, Halloween-themed aesthetic.

A release date has not been confirmed but it is thought that I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! may return to ITV in November.