All-star 'i'm a celebrity' returns—but is it worth watching?
Forget trekking to the Australian outback; ITV is bringing back its celebrity-stacked version of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!—I'm a Celebrity South Africa—for a second series. But before you clear your schedule, there’s a significant twist: the entire thing was filmed last year, and viewer participation during the main episodes is off the table.
The pre-recorded paradox
The premise is simple: a roster of memorable contestants—including Gemma Collins and Sir Mo Farah—return to face familiar trials. But the execution is decidedly different. Unlike the live, adrenaline-fueled broadcasts we’ve come to expect from the Australian jungle, this South African iteration was filmed in September 2023. This means every challenge, every confession, every dramatic moment has already occurred.
ITV’s decision to pre-record the series, mirroring the first South Africa run, is a curious one. The usual interactive element—viewer voting for Bushtucker Trials, elimination rounds—is conspicuously absent during the main episodes. It’s a calculated move, undoubtedly aimed at streamlining production and controlling the narrative, but it does raise the question: can a reality show truly thrive without the immediate engagement of its audience?
A live final—a glimmer of hope
However, there's a welcome exception. The grand final, airing on April 24th at 9pm, will be broadcast live from London, with the entire cast reuniting for a studio finale. Ant and Dec, speaking with former King of the Jungle Sam Thompson, confirmed that viewers will finally have a chance to vote and crown this year's I'm a Celebrity Legend.
“We’re going to get all the cast back, and we’ll have the finalists in the studio,” Ant explained. Dec added, “It’ll be a live vote like we do in Australia and the public will decide their Legend.” This live component at least offers a sliver of the interactive experience that has defined the show’s popularity for decades.
Jungle location, familiar challenges
The setting for this all-star edition is equally enticing: near the Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The area’s dense tropical forest provides the perfect backdrop for the chaotic trials and tribulations that contestants will undoubtedly endure. Expect the usual mix of creepy crawlies, physical challenges, and psychological tests, all designed to push these seasoned celebrities to their limits.
I'm a Celebrity…South Africa begins on ITV on Monday, April 2nd at 9pm. Whether the pre-recorded format can capture the electricity of a live broadcast remains to be seen, but the promise of a live final—and a chance to crown a true jungle champion—offers a glimmer of hope for fans of the show.