I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! has long marked the countdown to Christmas but this year things could be very different. The popular series is set to return to Australia after two years in Wales due to the pandemic but the start date could be brought forward.
ITV bosses are said to be considering moving the launch date, which usually airs in November, to avoid clashing with the international football coverage. The Qatar 2022 World Cup will kick off on November 21, which is the exact date I'm A Celebrity started last year.
A source told The Sun: "Two of ITV's biggest juggernauts - not just of the season but the whole year - are I'm a Celeb and its international football coverage.So it makes sense to keep them apart, and as the World Cup isn't going to budge, it makes sense to move Ant and Dec."
Read more: Ant and Dec say they plan for I'm A Celebrity to return to Australia
Adding: "At the moment nothing has been confirmed - but whatever ITV do will be in the best interests of viewers." The potential schedule shake-up comes after ITV confirmed the show would return to Australia in 2022.
I'm A Celebrity has aired from Gwrych Castle in Abergele for the past two years due to the "continued uncertainty" around Covid-19 and international travel. Giovanni Fletcher was voted the first winner of the Welsh series, while last year saw Emmerdale actor Danny Miller crowned King of the Castle.
Last month presenter's Ant and Dec confirmed the show was set to return to Australia during a chat on BBC's The One Show with Alex Jones. You can read more on this here.
"Now then, I'm A Celebrity, let's go there, because Australia are reopening their borders, aren't they, from Monday" Alex said. "So is it the castle, or is it the jungle?"
"Well the plan is the jungle," Ant confirmed on the BBC show."Nothing against Wales," Dec quickly interjected, joking that Welsh presenter Alex had given him "quite a stare".
"We love Wales," Ant continued. "But you know, Australia is its home and we'd like to get back there, and we can!" Alex responded: "I think it's been really good for a couple of years, but yes, back to the jungle." To get the latest showbiz news from WalesOnline sent straight to your inbox sign up for our What's On newsletter here.
