Ant and Dec 'surprised' that 'I'm A Celebrity' returned to Wales for second year

Ant and Dec have admitted they were surprised that I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! went back to Wales for a second year.

The ITV reality show was moved to Abergele in North Wales from its home in Australia in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and returned there for another series last year.

Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, the presenters said they were surprised to be back in Gwrych Castle – and that they are desperate to get back Down Under.

Asked if they are saddened to be filming the show in Wales again, Dec said: “We weren’t saddened but we were surprised.

"With COVID there was no getting around it.”

Read more: Danny Miller crowned King of the Castle

Ant added: “If it has to be Wales for another series, we will do it in Wales, but we want to go back to Australia.

“Australia is the spiritual home of I’m A Celebrity and where it’s been for 20 years, and four weeks there in the sun in October and November is great! We love it and we want to go back.”

The 2021 series of the reality show was hit with problems.

Contestant Richard Madeley had to leave the show after a trip to hospital when he was unwell meant he had broken the COVID bubble and couldn’t return to the camp.

Read more: Ant McPartlin says I'm A Celeb could've 'easily' been cancelled if not for crew's efforts

And the show had to pause for a few days after the production base was damaged during Storm Arwen.

Emmerdale star Danny Miller was crowned King of the Castle, pipping Coronation Street actor Simon Gregson to the title.

The Graham Norton Show is on BBC One on 14th January at 10.35pm and is available on BBC iPlayer.

Watch: Piers Morgan desperate to end Ant and Dec's NTAs streak