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Will I’m a Celebrity return to Africa?

10 is considering locations for next season, with producers keen to return to Africa.

Last week 10 crowned their winner of the ‘so-called jungle’ in Australia for the second time.

The pandemic has prevented I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here from filming in Africa two years in a row. But while the show is yet to formally renew for 2023, there are early discussions about whether it would return abroad.

10 ViacomCBS’s head of entertainment Stephen Tate recently told TV Tonight, “We’re already planning for 2023. The big question mark at the moment is ‘Where are we going to be?’ Are we back in South Africa? Are we here in Australia? It’s a footloose production so we could be anywhere in the world that is going to provide a jungle.

“Africa is almost like a second home for us. It very much was formative for the franchise and I think the audience really bought into it. Those landscapes were incredible, too.

“We took the show to South Africa because we thought Australian celebrities would not be afraid of Australian creepy crawlies. We wanted to up the ante. What we forgot is the Australian ones are actually more dangerous!

“In South Africa, they have a lot of things that will bite you and eat you. In Australia, we have a lot of things that will kill you. We probably shouldn’t have underestimated that!”

Producers are keen to return to Africa if circumstances allow.

Executive Producer Alex Mavroidakis told podcast TV Reload, “Our plan will always be to go back to Africa. ….I don’t know where the conversations will go with Season Nine. It would be a conversation between my boss, (ITV CEO) David Mott and Beverly McGarvey at the network. It all comes down to money, generally. Let’s be honest, it’s a lot cheaper to shoot in South Africa. We can make a lot more TV over there for the dollar.

“The show has worked in Australia, we found a creative solution, with the massive ejections and all of that business to fill the hours and to get a decent series away.

“A lot of people actually prefer the Australian version. But I would say that the the plan would be to return South Africa next year if the pandemic allows us to.”

Mavroidakis was also asked whether the show has considered an “All Stars” version for future seasons.

“We could do that easily. ….we’ve got 100 celebrities who have been on the show. Some absolute crackers. I feel like we could easily do a quick run of All Stars on I’m A Celebrity and I think it would work really well,” he confirmed.

“It’s something we have talked to Channel 10 about a couple of times. So we’ll see.”

11 Responses

    1. The executive producer also said that the show get the same budget whether it is filmed in South Africa or Australia…so i’d assume that some of the money that goes towards international travel and satellite costs is instead put towards the more expensive production and labour costs.

      I’m hopeful the show returns to South Africa though…it’s much better live and if the show were to end, it would be nicer to have its final season be filmed in their original home where it all started.

  1. If it stays on Australia they must mix up the ejection format – it felt exactly the same every night. We started turning off at that point and looking on our phones later to see who left.

  2. A “back to Africa” season with returning celebs is a must. The talent pool has dried up for new celebs…

    Can’t wait for the Chris and Julia “Toto” promo…

  3. I just can’t see how this will increase the ratings if their in Africa ,they really don’t do the scenery justice and they are basically in a controlled environment. It will certainly cost more than having it here no doubt and as for celebrities will they ever have a Maureen McCormick moment again.

    1. They said in there article that a dollar can stretch further in Africa:

      Even if ratings don’t change – Africa allows for a longer run of episodes. Additionally, there is the option to return to the original live, viewer vote centred format – which may keep viewers more engaged (I have seen some criticism towards the pre-recorded elimination challenges)

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