I’m a Celebrity South Africa kicks off in the UK, filmed in the Kruger
I’m a Celebrity South Africa kicks off in the UK, filmed in the Kruger. Photo: ITV

Home » I’m a Celebrity South Africa kicks off in the UK, filmed in the Kruger

I’m a Celebrity South Africa kicks off in the UK, filmed in the Kruger

South Africans in the UK have welcomed the latest « I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! » spin-off, which is set not in Australia or Wales, like usual, but in South Africa with breathtaking views of Mpumalanga, the bush and the wildlife. In fact expats in Australia will recognise some of the locations […]

25-04-23 09:56
I’m a Celebrity South Africa kicks off in the UK, filmed in the Kruger
I’m a Celebrity South Africa kicks off in the UK, filmed in the Kruger. Photo: ITV

South Africans in the UK have welcomed the latest « I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! » spin-off, which is set not in Australia or Wales, like usual, but in South Africa with breathtaking views of Mpumalanga, the bush and the wildlife.

In fact expats in Australia will recognise some of the locations as it’s exactly where the Australian version of « I’m a Celebrity » is filmed.

ITV said: « They survived the Australian jungle, but South Africa is an even harder proposition which will push them to their limits and test them like never before. The challenges are bigger and tougher and the environment harsher and more unforgiving. »

This time around, the famous TV series – which kicked off last night – starts with only nine contestants… although new contestants will be entering the camp along the way. All the celebrities have been on the show before and are now competing for a new title.

ITV says: « With no public vote, they will be competing against each other in a battle to become the first ever ‘I’m A Celebrity Legend’. »

Several reviewers have complained that the series has been pre-recorded, filmed in SA last year, which means there isn’t the usual audience interaction for viewers to feel like they have some control over the show.

Celebrity contestants include actors, presenters, sportsmen like boxing champ Amir Khan and ex-England cricketer Phil Tufnell, supermodel Janice Dickinson, musician Shaun Ryder from the Happy Mondays, and Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell.

Burrell last appeared on the show 20 years ago. He said: « It’s like coming into the final of the jungle Olympics. I had to eat kangaroo testicles in Australia and I am expecting everything to be bigger in South Africa.

« But it is going to be different because I am a different person now. I was a married guy with two kids and now 19 years on, I am a married man again but this time around, I have a husband. I have many more things to talk about in South Africa. I want to be there for all the dads who are struggling with their sexuality. »

Paul Burrell
Paul Burrell. Photo: ITV

I’m a Celebrity South Africa airs weeknights at 9pm on ITV.

WATCH I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! South Africa trailer