All-star 'i’m a celebrity' returns to itv – south african twist
Forget lounging on a beach – some of Britain’s most memorable reality TV personalities are trading cocktails for creepy crawlies. ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! is back, but with a strategic twist: an all-star edition filmed in South Africa and already completed, promising a condensed, pre-packaged dose of jungle drama.
The familiar faces return to the bush
The series, I’m a Celebrity South Africa, launches Monday, April 6th, at 9 PM on ITV1 and ITVX, bringing back a roster of former contestants hoping for a second shot at the coveted “King of the Jungle” title. Among the returning hopefuls are 2018 winner Harry Redknapp, a beloved figure for his endearing naiveté in the face of bushtucker trials, alongside finalists Adam Thomas and David Haye. The choice of familiar faces is a calculated move by ITV, leveraging existing audience affection and pre-established storylines for immediate engagement.
But the geography is new. In a departure from the show’s traditional Australian setting, the South African landscape offers a fresh visual backdrop and, reportedly, a unique set of challenges. The pre-recorded format also means ITV has complete control over the narrative pacing, allowing for tighter editing and potentially more dramatic reveals than the live broadcasts.
The scheduling is as follows: Episode 1 airs April 6th at 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM. Subsequent episodes will air most evenings at 9:00 PM, with varying run times. The live finale, streamed from London, is scheduled for April 24th, where the remaining contestants will battle it out in a final bushtucker trial. All episodes will be available on ITVX.
While the pre-recorded nature eliminates the spontaneous reactions of a live audience, it also grants ITV the opportunity to craft a more polished and strategically compelling viewing experience. It remains to be seen whether this change will resonate with loyal viewers, or if the lack of immediacy will diminish the inherent appeal of the show’s unpredictable nature. The gamble, however, is clear: ITV is banking on nostalgia and carefully curated drama to capture viewers’ attention.