ITV confirm Abergele's Gwrych Castle will play host to the 20th series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

ITV announced today (August 27) that the 20th series of the popular reality show - which attracts on average more than nine million viewers - will be hosted at the 200-year-old ruined castle.

With its sprawling design and turrets, the site is spread across 250 acres of gardens and grounds.

Presenters Ant and Dec will host the adapted version of I’m A Celebrity 2020 live every night on ITV from the castle this Autumn.

As on the regular series, viewers will see the celebrities undertake gruelling trials and fun-filled challenges to win food and treats in the lead up to one of them being crowned, for the first time ever, King or Queen of the Castle.

Dr Mark Baker, chair of the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, said “I’m absolutely delighted that I’m A Celebrity has chosen Gwrych Castle to be its UK location for the 2020 series.

With its sprawling design and turrets, the site is spread across 250 acres of gardens and grounds.

"Gwrych Castle is a beautiful grade I listed 19th county house and a must-see destination for tourists visiting Wales. I’m A Celebrity being here will really help support Gwrych Castle and its ongoing restoration as well as giving the region a much-needed economic boost.”

Lord Elis-Thomas, The Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism said “We’re extremely pleased to welcome such a large production to Wales, offering a chance to showcase a spectacular part of our country to significant audiences across the UK.

"We’re looking forward to working with the team on this production and hope to use this opportunity to show some of what North Wales has to offer.”

Mark Baker, Chairperson for Gwyrch Castle Trust - DJW221216

Andrew White, Director Wales, National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We have been delighted to support Gwrych Castle and it is great to hear it will be having its moment in the limelight. The series will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the beauty of north Wales as well as show how a historic building can engage a modern audience in innovative ways. We hope it will help to boost support for the castle in the long term.”

Richard Cowles, director of Entertainment at ITV Studios, said: “The Australian jungle is such an integral part of the show it was a big challenge to find a UK location where we could continue to deliver what viewers love about I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! But Gwrych will definitely do that; the Castle sits in an amazing and atmospheric setting on a hillside overlooking the Irish Sea.

"While there will be plenty of changes required as we move from New South Wales in Australia to North Wales in the UK, we are really excited to see how we can adapt the format and make the Castle our new home for a very special 20th series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! this Autumn."

The Journal and its sister titles have been reporting for some weeks that the hit series is coming to Abergele.

Earlier this month, Gwrych Castle and Estate revealed they would be closing temporarily to the public at 5pm on Sunday, August 23 until New Year.

Castle Cove Caravan Park in Pensarn also told the Journal that producers had been in touch about finding somewhere for crew to stay while filming.

They also showered Dr Baker with praise stating: “Mark has achieved great things and we are all very proud of him and his commitment to this is truly amazing.”

Manorafon farm park, just next to the castle, also informed its members their site would be closing its farm park for a short time from August 31 after being approached by an organisation.

According to national media reports, ITV is spending more than £1million on taking over the Grade I listed country house and its gardens and grounds.