ITV has reportedly delayed the start of this year's I'm A Celebrity by a day due to a scheduling clash with the UEFA Nations League, which the channel now has rights to broadcast.
Football takes priority over launch
The reality series, which was pencilled to begin on November 15, will now commence on November 16. The clash arises because England are set to face Spain in the Nations League on November 15, with the match kicking off at 8.45pm at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid — just 15 minutes before I'm A Celeb was originally due to start.
The international tournament kicks off on September 24 and runs for several months. The decision to prioritise football means the show's traditional Sunday night prime-time slot has been altered.
Sources confirm schedule change
A source told The Sun: "I'm A Celeb has always benefited from the Sunday night prime-time slot, but this year it's all change. Now ITV has the rights to the UEFA Nations League bosses have had to go back to the drawing board."
Another source added: "Bosses have pulled out all the stops to ensure this year's IAC launch show is must-see TV. Following the huge success of this year's World Cup, bosses are overjoyed to have such a stellar lineup of entertainment and sport this autumn on ITV."
Spin-off featuring the Ferdinands
While campmates for the main series are yet to be announced, speculation is growing. Reports suggest Rio and Kate Ferdinand have signed up for I'm A Celebrity: Wild Frontier, a new spin-off filmed in Canada. It would mark the first married couple to join the show, which focuses on celebrity pairs facing daredevil challenges and Bushtucker Trials together.
A source said: "Bosses are overjoyed to have landed the Ferdinands. It's a real coup for the show. They have brilliant chemistry and are great fun. It will be the first time viewers have really seen Rio away from football chat, too."
Speaking to The Sun, the source added: "ITV are still in talks with some other brilliant names and this show promises to be absolutely spectacular — and a real social media talker."
Unlike the Australian series, the spin-off sees famous faces compete in pairs — friends, relatives or couples — taking on Bushtucker-style trials together before facing elimination as a duo.
