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

Ant McPartlin (L) praised the 'I'm A Celebrity' team for helping to bring the show back to screens. (ITV)
Ant McPartlin (L) praised the 'I'm A Celebrity' team for helping to bring the show back to screens. (ITV)

Ant McPartlin has said the current series of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! could’ve “quite easily” been taken off air if it weren’t for the show’s crew working hard to get it back up and running.

Damages to the ITV programme’s production base in North Wales caused by Storm Arwen saw it taken off air for several episodes while contestants were also moved out of the castle.

The presenter appeared alongside co-star Declan Donnelly on This Morning via video link on Tuesday ahead of the reality show’s return where he praised the efforts of those working behind-the-scenes.

Watch: This Morning stars discuss I'm A Celeb missing another live show

“They could’ve quite easily said there’s too much damage done to the production base and that we won’t be able to get on air but they’ve worked round the clock, the team have been magnificent and they’ve got us back in,” he explained.

Read more: Richard Madeley reveals he was suffering from dehydration on I'm A Celeb

McPartlin went on to say that Gwrych Castle where the contest is filmed hadn’t been harmed by the adverse weather.

“The castle is the one thing that has been absolutely fine. The only reason we took the celebrities out of there, was that we felt it was just mean to keep them in there. We can’t film with them, we can’t do anything with them and we can’t do trials with them,” he shared.

The contestants, including former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips, The Saturdays star Frankie Bridge and footballer David Ginola, have been placed in hotel isolation during the break in filming.

“They’ve got no phones, no internet, they are completely cut off from the rest of the world. Just how we like it,” McPartlin, who will present live with Donnelly when the programme returns, said in the interview.

The 'I'm A Celebrity' contestants were removed from Gwrych Castle due to the storm. (ITV)
The 'I'm A Celebrity' contestants were removed from Gwrych Castle due to the storm. (ITV)

I’m A Celeb aired its first pre-recorded show in its 21-series history on Friday, while the Saturday and Sunday evenings featured highlight round-up shows from previous years.

Read more: Richard Madeley admits he binged on hospital food after leaving I'm A Celeb

Monday’s live episode was also axed, with DNA Journey airing in its place.

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! returns tonight at 9pm on ITV.

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