I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! returned for its twentieth series on 15 November 2020 on ITV. Due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, the series was not filmed in Australia for the first time in the show's history, but was instead filmed at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Wales.
Ant & Dec returned to host the series. In January 2020, it was announced that I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp had been axed. In October 2020, it was announced that Vick Hope would present a new online spin-off entitled I'm a Celebrity...The Daily Drop that would also be repeated on ITV2.
On 4 December 2020, the series was won by Giovanna Fletcher, with Jordan North finishing as the runner-up. Fletcher won the show with 50.27% of the final vote, making it the closest ever voting percentage between the final two campmates.
Beverley Callard and Mo Farah would return to the series six years later to participate in the second series of I'm a Celebrity... South Africa, alongside other celebrities to try become the second I'm a Celebrity legend. Callard would finish in 9th place after being forced to withdraw for medical reasons. Farah would finish runner-up to season 16 campmate Adam Thomas.
Filming location On 7 August 2020, it was announced that, due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, filming would be taking place at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Wales, instead of Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia.
As part of the agreement with Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, ITV announced that it would help support the ongoing restoration project of the site, donating money to the trust for the use of the site for four months, as well as paying for additional emergency restoration work.
On 23 October 2020, Wales entered into a circuit breaker lockdown, which led many to speculate that the series could face delays or cancellation. However, on 20 October, it was confirmed that pre-production of the series, and filming of the series itself, would be permitted to go ahead, provided local coronavirus protocols were followed.
Reaction to relocation Initial reactions to the new filming locations were mixed, with fans expression confusion and amusement as to how various aspects of the show would be translated into a Welsh setting.
On 2 September 2020, Vale of Clwyd MP James Davies and Prime Minister Boris Johnson both welcomed the relocation during a session of Prime Minister's Questions.
In the weeks leading up to filming, many local residents complained of the close proximity of the filming location to residential areas, particularly as public paths near Gwrych Castle were closed for privacy and security reasons.
Once the series began, viewers reacted positively to the new location. Journalist Katie Archer from Radio Times suggested that the relocation to Gwrych Castle become a permanent feature as a way of refreshing the format.
Celebrities The line-up was announced on 8 November 2020 during I'm a Celebrity: A Jungle Story.
Celebrity Known for StatusGiovanna FletcherAuthor, presenter & bloggerWinneron 4 December 2020 Jordan North BBC Radio 1 presenterRunner-upon 4 December 2020 Vernon Kay Television & radio presenterThird placeon 4 December 2020 Shane Richie Former EastEnders actorEliminated 9thon 3 December 2020 Mo Farah Olympic long-distance runner & track athleteEliminated 8thon 2 December 2020 AJ Pritchard Former Strictly Come Dancing professionalEliminated 7thon 2 December 2020 Jessica Plummer Former EastEnders actress & Neon Jungle singerEliminated 6thon 1 December 2020 Russell Watson Operatic tenorEliminated 5thon 1 December 2020 Beverley Callard Coronation Street actressEliminated 4thon 30 November 2020 Victoria Derbyshire Journalist & television presenterEliminated 3rdon 30 November 2020 Ruthie Henshall Musical theatre actress & singerEliminated 2ndon 29 November 2020 Hollie Arnold Paralympic javelin throwerEliminated 1ston 27 November 2020
Results and elimination Indicates that the celebrity received the most votes from the public. Indicates that the celebrity received the fewest votes and was eliminated immediately (no bottom two/three) Indicates that the celebrity was named as being in the bottom two/three
+Daily results per celebrityCelebrityDay 13Day 15Day 16Day 17Day 18Day 19Day 20TrialsCastlecoinchallengesRound 1Round 2 Giovanna Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe1st39.45%Winner50.27%74 Jordan Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe 2nd34.06%Runner-up49.73%82 Vernon Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe3rd26.50%Eliminated(Day 20)73 Shane Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe4thEliminated(Day 19)93 Mo Safe Safe Safe Safe5thEliminated(Day 18)53 AJ Safe Safe Safe Safe6thEliminated(Day 18)62 Jessica Safe Safe Safe7thEliminated(Day 17)63 Russell Safe SafeBottom three8thEliminated(Day 17)31 Beverley SafeBottom two9thEliminated(Day 16)53 Victoria Safe Safe10thEliminated(Day 16)52 RuthieBottom two11thEliminated(Day 15)32 Hollie12thEliminated(Day 13)52 Notes None 1 Bottom two/three(named in)Hollie,Ruthie Beverley,RuthieBeverley,Russell,VictoriaJessica,RussellAJ,Mo NoneEliminated HollieFewest votesto save RuthieFewest votesto save VictoriaFewest votesto save RussellFewest votesto save AJFewest votesto save ShaneFewest votesto save Vernon26.50%to win Jordan49.73%to win BeverleyFewest votesto save JessicaFewest votesto save MoFewest votesto save Giovanna50.27%to win
The public voted for who they wanted to win, rather than save.
Trials The contestants take part in daily trials to earn food. These trials aim to test both physical and mental abilities. The winner is usually determined by the number of stars collected during the trial, with each star representing a meal earned by the winning contestant for their fellow celebrities.
The public voted for who they wanted to face the trial The contestants decided who would face the trial The trial was compulsory and neither the public nor celebrities decided who took part
Trialnumber Air date Name of trial Celebrityparticipation Winners/Number of stars Notes 1 15 November The Cliff Climb AJBeverleyGiovannaHollieJessicaJordanMoShaneVernonVictoria 1 2 15 November The Gates to Hell AJBeverleyGiovannaHollieJessicaJordanMoShaneVernonVictoria rowspan="6" 3 16 November The Viper Vault JordanShane 4 17 November Frights of the Round Table BeverleyJordanVernon 5 18 November Stage Fright RussellRuthie 6 19 November Trapped Door Jordan 7 20 November Fort Locks Mo 8(Live) 20 November The Royal TournamentAJBeverleyGiovannaHollieJessicaJordanMoRussellRuthieShaneVernonVictoria AJJordanMoRussellShaneVernon 2 9 22 November Bar-Baric BeverleyGiovannaHollieJessicaRuthieVictoria 3 10 23 November Harm-Ory AJJessica 11 24 November Cruel Jewels Shane 4 12 25 November Sickening Stalls JessicaShane 13 26 November Wicked Waterways HollieShane 3 5 14 27 November Chambers of Horror AJShane 6 15 29 November The Critter Clink Victoria rowspan="8" 16 30 November Rancid Rotisserie Russell 17 1 December Cart-Astrophy GiovannaVernon 18 2 December Game of Groans AJMo 19 3 December Celebrity Cyclone GiovannaJordanShaneVernon 20 4 December The Table of Torment Vernon 21 Frightening Feast Giovanna 22 The Iron Maiden Jordan
In this challenge, the celebrities were competing for their kits rather than their meals The celebrities were separated into two teams, The Lords (AJ, Jordan, Mo, Russell, Shane and Vernon) and The Ladies (Beverley, Giovanna, Hollie, Jessica, Ruthie and Victoria). As a result of the girls losing the live trial the previous day, it was compulsory for them to take part in this trial. One by one, they had 12 minutes to unlock themselves from the bar and earn two stars. The order was Giovanna, Ruthie, Beverley, Jessica, Hollie and Victoria. Victoria managed to unlock herself but failed to get two stars in time. Beverley was ruled out of this trial on medical grounds. In this trial, each star was worth two meals for camp. Russell was ruled out of this trial on medical grounds.
Star count Celebrity Number of stars earned Percentage Giovanna Fletcher 87% Jordan North 92% Vernon Kay 92% Shane Richie 86% Mo Farah 68% AJ Pritchard 68% Jessica Plummer 76% Russell Watson 73% Victoria Derbyshire 79% Beverley Callard 84% Ruthie Henshall 88% Hollie Arnold 68%
Castle Coin Challenges As well as competing in the trials, celebrities have to complete 'Castle Coin Challenges' in order to earn treats for themselves. At least 2 celebrities will be chosen to compete in the challenge. They must complete the challenge they have been given in order to win 'Castle Coins'. After completion of the challenge, the celebrities will take the Castle Coins and head to the Ye Olde Shoppe, where they will purchase one of two snack options, from Kiosk Cledwyn. However, before they are allowed to take the prize, the other celebrities back at the living quarters must answer a question either based on a recent survey or a general knowledge question. If they get the question right, they will earn the treat, but if they get it wrong, the celebrities will go back empty-handed.
The celebrities got the question correct The celebrities got the question wrong No question was asked
Episode Air date Celebrities Prizes available Prize chosen Notes317 NovemberGiovannaHollieWelsh CakesTwigletsWelsh Cakesrowspan=2418 NovemberAJJessicaBread & ButterSweet PopcornBread & Butter519 NovemberBeverleyShaneCustard CreamsReady Salted CrispsCustard Creams7620 NovemberMoVictoriaJelly WormsMixed NutsJelly Wormsrowspan=4822 November RussellVernonJammie DodgersPretzelsJammie Dodgers923 November JordanRuthieChocolate Mini EggsScotch EggsScotch Eggs1024 November GiovannaShaneMarshmallowsThe Plug for the BathMarshmallows1125 NovemberBeverleyGiovannaJessicaRuthieA Spa Trip forFour CampmatesGiovannaHollieRussellVernon81226 NovemberHollieVictoriaGingerbread MenJelly BeansJelly Beansrowspan=31327 NovemberMoVernonChocolate CoinsMini CheddarsChocolate Coins1630 NovemberGiovannaMoChocolate EclairsCheese & CrackersChocolate Eclairs171 DecemberBeverleyShaneAccess toThe Castle Inn9182 DecemberAJJessicaTreats from Home for AJ,Giovanna & JordanFruit PlatterTreats from Home for AJ,Giovanna & Jordanrowspan=2193 DecemberJordanVernonChocolate OrangeMince PiesMince Pies
As part of a secret mission to win luxury items for camp, Russell and Ruthie had to convince the celebrities to answer the question incorrectly. The campmates taking part in the Castle Coin challenge were selected at random. Beverley, Giovanna, Jessica and Ruthie each had to select one campmate for whom they wanted to win a spa day. They chose Vernon, Hollie, Giovanna and Russell respectively. There was no question asked to receive the spa day. The campmates taking part in the Castle Coin challenge were playing for access to the castle pub, 'The Castle Inn'.
Controversies On 13 November 2020, the RSPCA stated that they had "serious concerns about the welfare of animals" featured in the programme. They stated that the production company had got in touch with them ahead of the 20th series taking place in the UK, where the RSPCA had advised they consider using welfare-friendly alternatives to animals in the Bushtucker trials, but that they were "really disappointed" that animals were still planned to be used in the trials. They recommended viewers could contact Ofcom, or ITV directly if they wanted to take action. On 24 November 2020, rural crime officers from North Wales Police announced they were investigating set management and biosecurity, after concerns were raised by conservationists that the cockroaches, whip scorpions, mealworms and crayfish used in bushtucker trials might escape into the local environment. Gwrych Castle woods is a site of special scientific interest, meaning it is home to some of the country's rarest species or habitats, and so would be particularly vulnerable to invasive non-native species.
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