Covid strikes I’m A Celeb... but final set to go ahead

I’M A Celebrity has been struck with a Covid outbreak just days before the show’s final on Sunday.

Two members of staff tested positive for the virus earlier this week, prompting bosses to tighten up safety measures in a bid to stop it spreading further.

A tent selling hot drinks and snacks on the jungle site in New South Wales, Australia, was also shut down temporarily overnight so it could be disinfected.

An insider told The Sun: ‘Everyone is on high alert given it is so close to the end of the series.

‘The producers have grand plans to make the final bigger than ever so no one is seen without a mask and there have been loads more people queueing up to get themselves tested on site.’

The source added: ‘The team also closed down the night shift tent which sells snacks and drinks to the crew in order to give it a deep clean.

‘Safety is paramount on a show of this scale and bosses are sure the strict measures they have in place will mean that the final will still go ahead as planned.’ A spokesman for the ITV series told the Mail: ‘We can confirm a couple of production team members have tested positive for coronavirus. ‘The protocols we have in place for such an eventuality have been implemented and filming has continued as we adhere to all Covid guidelines.’ The survival reality TV show returned to Australia for the first time in three years after pandemic travel restrictions prevented it from being filmed in the country. The last two series took place in North Wales at Gwrych Castle near Abergele. This year, the 12 contestants were required to fly to Australia two weeks ahead of the series start date on November 6 so they could quarantine. In previous years, the campmates were required to arrive just a few days before heading into the jungle.