I’m a Celebrity is back for its second legends series, set in South Africa. But the different camp location isn’t the only shake-up to ITV’s tried-and-tested format, as a huge change has been announced for the show.
Hosts Ant and Dec welcomed 12 celebrities and former stars of the show back into camp last year, as the South African series is pre-recorded and set to air in April.
While the cast obviously know everything that went down, from bushtucker trials to fireside rows, what they don’t yet know is who won.
For the first time ever in 25 series of the original I’m a Celebrity and one previous all-stars series, The Legend of the Savanna is set to be announced in a special live event back home in the UK. Here’s all you need to know.
I’m a Celebrity South Africa’s big change to the final
For the first time ever, Ant and Dec will host the final from the UK.
(ITV)
Last time the All-Star Series headed out to South Africa for the 2023 show, the entire thing was pre-recorded – meaning that viewers couldn’t vote on who faced the trials or won in the final, a big difference from the main show.
But for its second run, show bosses have decided that putting the viewers back in charge of who wins would be a good idea.
Of course, there’s one problem. It was all recorded in advance in 2025, meaning that the celebrities are long since back in the UK and might even have put any campmate clashes behind them.
So while you can’t vote on the trials, fans will be able to have their say on the winner of the new series as all 12 cast members will be invited back for a live studio event for the final, where the Legend of the Savanna will be crowned.
Ant and Dec said of the final: “It’s going to be here in the UK, live on the television. We’re going to get all the cast back, we’ll have the finalists in the studio. It’ll be a live vote like we do in Australia, and the public will decide their Legend.”
It’s unclear so far whether the final Bushtucker Trial will be pre-recorded and aired on the night, or will take place in the studio, too.
Beverley Callard lets slip I’m a Celebrity final date
Beverley Callard revealed the as-yet-unannounced final will be on 24 April.
(Sipa US, Sipa US)
ITV has been staying tight-lipped about the exact air date of the series, but contestant Beverley Callard appears to have let the cat out of the bag about the live final.
Speaking to The Hard Shoulder podcast back in February – before the cast was officially announced – she said of I’m a Celebrity South Africa: “Oh, the weather was great. But the final is on the 24th of April. So it’s all still to come.”
Of course, Corrie legend Callard would definitely know the final date, as she is booked for the event, and some outlets have claimed that this means the series launch date is likely to fall on Monday, 6 April.
Who is doing I’m a Celebrity South Africa?
On Monday, 9 March, ITV confirmed the 12 cast members of I’m a Celebrity South Africa, after much speculation that had narrowed down who recorded the series.
The campmates include two former winners – 2018’s Harry Redknapp and 2016’s Scarlett Moffatt.
Seann Walsh, Craig Charles, Gemma Collins, Ashley Roberts, Scarlett Moffatt, Beverley Callard, Sinitta, Adam Thomas and Harry Redknapp will also be joined by David Haye and Jimmy Bullard.
(Sipa US, Sipa US)
Less successful, but arguably more memorable, former contestant Gemma Collins will also be back around the campfire after lasting just three days in her first stint.
Callard is joined by her former campmate Sir Mo Farah – the last time they appeared in the show, it was for a very different experience in the Welsh castle Covid series.
The other campmates we’ll see in April are Adam Thomas and Jimmy Bullard, who reportedly fell out over a task, Ashley Roberts, Craig Charles, Sinitta, Seann Walsh and David Haye.
I’m a Celebrity South Africa begins on ITV in April.
