Yahoo News I'm a Celeb 2018: When is the premiere?
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2018 is almost here.
The 2017 series was a huge, huge success and became the most-watched programme on ITV last year. The launch episode, which marked the reunion of Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly following the former's first stint in rehab, secured an audience share of 46% with a peak of 11.2 million viewers tuning in. To put that into perspective, The X Factor had been attracting around the 5 million mark. Yep... exactly.
Related: 13 behind-the-scenes secrets from I'm a Celebrity
ITV bosses were very happy with their delivery last year – and so were we because the line-up was fantastic, Ant & Dec were on fire, and as for the Bushtucker Trials... well, let's just say that producers outdid themselves.
But now, the race is on to make the 2018 season even better, but are TV bosses up to the challenge? Well, here's everything we know about the upcoming series – you decide!
I'm a Celebrity 2018: When does it start?
It's finally been confirmed that I'm a Celebrity will return on Sunday, November 18.
Confirmed: I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! starts Sunday 18 November at 9pm on @ITV @imacelebrity #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/tdteVZ4Ets
- ITV Press Centre (@itvpresscentre) November 5, 2018
This announcement comes after new host Holly Willoughby, who is joining Dec Down Under, dropped a hint that we wouldn't be waiting too much longer, having waved goodbye (temporarily) to her slot on This Morning.
Well that’s goodbye to @thismorning for a little bit... beautiful flowers fit for a princess from the production team curtesy of Eugene’s wedding Florist @rvhfloraldesign Feel super… https://t.co/3K5QCxz9w1
- Holly Willoughby (@hollywills) October 18, 2018
Taking to Twitter to confirm her departure from the morning TV show, Holly said: "Well that's goodbye to @thismorning for a little bit..."
I'm a Celebrity 2018 cast: Who's going in?
James McVey
Who? Member of The Vamps.
Nick Knowles
Who? Host of DIY SOS.
Fleur East
Who? X Factor finalist.
Harry Redknapp
Who? Former football manager.
Sair Khan
Who? Coronation Street actress.
Malique Thompson-Dwyer
Who? Hollyoaks star.
Emily Atak
Who? Actor, best known for her role on The Inbetweeners.
Anne Hegerty
Who? Best known as The Governess on The Chase.
What's the rumour? According to The Mirror, the ITV quiz master is going to be heading Down Under for this year's series.
Rita Simons
Who? Former EastEnders star.
John Barrowman
Who? Former Doctor Who, Torchwood and Arrow star.
I'm a Celebrity 2018 hosts: Who is replacing Ant McPartlin?
After much rumour and speculation, it was finally confirmed that Holly Willoughby will co-host alongside Declan Donnelly for the 2018 series.
Holly said: "I couldn't be more excited to have been asked to stand alongside Dec for the next jungle adventure. I love Ant and want to send him my best wishes and support for a continued recovery.
"These are big shoes, not to fill, but just to keep warm for a little bit..."
It had been previously announced that Ant would not be returning to his I'm a Celebrity presenting role this year, and a little while later it was also confirmed that Dec would have another co-host for the jungle.
In a joint statement released on Twitter in early August, Ant revealed that he will "continue to take a break from all television presenting roles until 2019".
Dec added: "Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision. I'm looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019."
On March 18, Ant was arrested on suspicion of drink driving following a car crash which left a number of individuals being treated at the scene for minor injuries. A month later, he was fined £86,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after pleading guilty to being twice the legal drink drive limit.
Since then, Ant has announced that he is returning to rehab for further treatment and is taking a step back from the limelight, including presenting duties.
While he recovers, Dec has been taking care of their joint work commitments on his own for the first time in his career. Earlier this year, he presented Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway by himself and fronted the Britain's Got Talent live shows solo as well.
Ant's close friend, Britain's Got More Talent host Stephen Mulhern, previously suggested that Ant could be expected to make his comeback in 2019.
Speaking to Best magazine, he said: "Fingers crossed, Ant will get the treatment he needs and be back to his old self for next year. But he does need the rest and to be left alone, and given the time to recover."
It was confirmed by ITV bosses on July 25 that Ant will come back to the channel "when he's well and when he is ready to come back".
I'm a Celebrity 2018: Extra Camp presenters
I'm a Celebrity's spin-off show has a habit of switching up its presenters every year. But will it be any different in 2018 or has I'm a Celebrity's sister show finally found its winning formula?
Well, according to Joel Dommett it actually has, as he revealed that he, Scarlett Moffatt and Joe Swash will "all be going out again" when the next series returns (via The Sun).
"It was the most successful show that they've had for years," Joel explained. "The producers were super happy with it, I was so proud of it and what we made of the show."
Singing the group's praises (and then some), the former I'm a Celeb contestant and comedian added: "Everyone really loved us, so it's great."
This has now been signed, sealed and delivered by ITV bosses. "I'm so excited to be back working with Joe and Joel for another year on Extra Camp, I absolutely adore them both," Scarlett said (October 16).
"We have such a laugh doing the show together, I can't wait to get back out there and meet our new celebrity jungle campmates."
I'm a Celebrity 2018 episodes: How long will the new series run for?
The show is usually on for around three weeks.
Keeping in line with tradition, the 2018 series will most likely broadcast around 22 episodes.
I'm a Celebrity 2018 final: When's it on?
Last year, the series finished on Sunday, December 10.
With that in mind, we expect ITV to announce that the 2018 series will conclude on Sunday, December 9.
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