CLEDWYN’S KIOSK
Where the sullen shopkeeper begrudgingly issues treats
I’m A Celebrity bosses have vowed to make this series the toughest test yet with the most gruesome trials and a prison where the stars will be forced to sleep on the floor.
Last year, when the hit show moved to North Wales, some fans claimed the challenges were easier and camp conditions were not harsh enough, meaning the celebs did not suffer.
So ITV will now pile on the pressure by splitting the 10 contestants into two teams, and will throw a losing group into medieval jail The Clink for a week.
The opening of the series this weekend will involve team games and a trial called Turrets of Terror in two specially made turrets in the grounds of
Gwrych Castle. And no celebrity will want to be on the losing side.
Creative director
Tom Gould said:
“The results will lead to half of them winning a place in the main camp and the other half of losing celebrities will have to endure a stay in The Clink.
“If you end up in there it is obviously a smaller area and most of daily life will be outside in a tiny courtyard.
“They will sleep inside but on the floor and there will be a very basic shower. Everything else – cooking, cleaning, all the chores – will be outside so a lot colder down here as they are a lot more exposed.
“The main camp hasn’t changed much, it was as we wanted it to be.
“The biggest change for us is The
Clink and it will change the dynamic at the start of the series. Last year they were a group of ten from day one and it has an impact on the show. It just adds a different dynamic.”
The Turrets of Terror is merely the beginning when it comes to trials though, as bosses are keen to make sure no one can get away without jumping in and facing their fears. Executive producer Olly Nash said: “This year we did set out at the beginning to make it much tougher. They are in for longer, the trials are bigger. “The trials were limited last year and this time they are much closer to the Australian series in terms of scale. “There are more trials over the series than ever before and more triallists taking part in terms of celebrities. That was the learnings of having one series here. “We have 24 trials this year, I think normally it is closer to 20 in a full series, it is the most ever.” The other returning features from last year include fire pits outside where people can gather to chat and a shower in the main camp that needs a second person to pump the water.
The line-up, which includes former football star David Ginola and TV host Louise Minchin, will also take part in Castle Coin challenges to try to win treats from grumpy shopkeeper Cledwyn in the Castle Kiosk.
Ant and Dec will once again host the series, which kicks off on ITV on Sunday at 9pm.