THE forthcoming series of I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! is to be filmed in the UK instead of Australia and will be broadcast live every night from a ruined castle in the countryside, ITV has confirmed.

And the hot favourite region for the reality show to be filmed is right here in North Wales.

Ant and Dec will host the series as celebrities undertake gruelling trials and challenges to win food and treats in the lead-up to one of them being crowned king or queen of the castle, rather than the jungle.

Speculation has been rife as to the location of the new series, with two locations in North Wales being touted as surprise favourites.

The Sun newspaper said it believes Gwyrch Castle, near Abergele, is the forerunner while the Mail and Mirror suggest Ewloe Castle and Wepre Woods will get the nod.

Although its speculation at the moment, here is all you need to know about both castles.

Gwyrch Castle

Not a castle at all, but rather a folly built on land near Abergele by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh between 1810 and 1822.

Lloyd’s granddaughter, Winifred, countess of Dundonald in 1894, she left the castle in her will to King George V and the then Prince of Wales in her will. However, the gift was refused and it did not become a Royal residence.

During the early eighties, Gwyrch Castle was a popular visitor attraction with medieval-style tournaments held in the grounds. The area that used to house the lists for the mock tournaments would make an idea campsite for the celebrities.

The doors of the castle closed to the public in 1985.

Over the decades, the castle was extensively looted and vandalised and it deteriorated into a shell. Plans to restore it to its former glory were mooted, such at transforming Gwyrch into a £25m luxury hotel and spa, but they never came to fruition.

In 2018, the property was bought by the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust. The trust was founded by, then 11-year-old. Matt Baker. More than 20 years later, he realised his dream as the castle is starting to come back to life.

Speaking to the Rhyl Journal, Dr Baker, chairman of Gwyrch Castle Preservation Trust, said: "Thank you for giving us the chance to comment on this. We will decline to comment at this time."

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Photo: NPAS/Twitter

As can be seen by these aerial photos of the castle taken by the The National Police Air Service crew based at Hawarden last week, the castle has a large outdoor area and, although appearing remote, is very close to the A55 carriageway.

Ewloe Castle

The castle was built around 1257, at a time of temporary triumph for the Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd over the English Crown.

By the late medieval period, the site was already in ruins. Much of the castle's stonework was removed for construction material to be used in Deeside and Mold.

Ewloe Castle, is a Grade I listed building, and is set within Wepre Park, which is managed by Flintshire County Council.

Ewloe Castle combines features from both motte-and-bailey and enclosure castles. An asymmetrical curtain wall – with parapets – that encloses two courtyards. These courtyards would be perfect locations for the celebrity camp, maintaining an enclosed and isolated atmosphere.

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Photo: Nathan Jenkins

The castle’s location in woodland, means it would look impressive and remote in aerial footage, as seen in this photograph by Nathan Jenkins, while still having access to the A55 and the three-star St David’s Park hotel in Ewloe.

Other possible locations

  • Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
  • Bodiam Castle, East Sussex, England
  • Warkworth Castle, Northumberland, England
  • Restormel Castle, Cornwall, England
  • Richmond Castle, North Yorkshire, England
  • Longtown Castle, Hereford, England
  • Launceston Castle, Cornwall, England
  • Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Scotland
  • Harlech Castle, Gwynedd, Wales
  • Dinefwr Castle, Carmarthenshire, Wales
  • Tantallon Castle, East Lothian, Scotland
  • White Castle, Monmouthshire, Wales
  • Spynie Palace, Moray, Scotland

Announcing the change in location and format last week, ITV said more information would be forthcoming soon.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s director of television said: “We announced last week that we were doing all we could to make the series and I’m thrilled that we can bring the show to viewers albeit not in the jungle. We have a great team both on and off screen and I know they will produce a hugely entertaining series”.

Richard Cowles, director of Entertainment at ITV Studios said: “We pulled out all the stops to try and make the series happen in Australia.

"Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and despite us looking at many different contingencies, it became apparent that it just wasn’t possible for us to travel and make the show there.

"However, we are all really excited about a UK version of I’m A Celebrity. While it will certainly be different producing the show from the UK, the same tone and feel will remain.

“Our celebrities will probably have to swap shorts for thermals but they can still look forward to a basic diet of rice and beans and plenty of thrills and surprises along the way”.

Although not as popular as it once was with competition from the likes of Love Island, the change in format might give a boost to I’m A Celebrity…

As with previous years, speculation is rife as to which celebrities will enter the jungle…sorry, the castle.

Favourite to feature, Strictly star AJ Pritchard. After four seasons of the BBC ballroom competition, AJ announced he was leaving to concentrate on presenting. Perhaps, he hopes to follow in the footsteps of show winners Matt Willis and Joe Swash who went on to present the ITV companion show to the series.

Other names in the mix, include star of Netflix documentary Tiger King, Carole Baskin, and former footballer Paul Merson. Down to earth sporting figures have done well in the show, with Harry Redknapp and Phil Tufnell both being crowned winners. Less down to earth is former Manchester United talisman Eric Cantona, who is considered an outside bet.

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Paul Merson (right). Photo: Phil Blagg

Ten celebrities tipped to enter the castle

  • AJ Pritchard
  • Paul Merson
  • Mark Labbett
  • Carole Baskin
  • Thomas Skinner
  • Mark Ian Hoyle
  • Tamzin Outhwaite
  • Ricky Hatton
  • Eric Cantona
  • Richard Madeley