More than 40 security guards are protecting the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! campmates at their new Welsh base, MailOnline can reveal.
The army of guards have surrounded haunted Gwrych Castle – the show’s new home after relocating from Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic – and have closed nearby roads in preparation of the show’s launch on Sunday.
The ring of steel includes wardens in high-vis jackets at the entrances which have been sealed with wire fences.
High-level: More than 40 security guards are protecting the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! campmates at their new Welsh base, MailOnline can reveal
MailOnline can also reveal that guards with night-vision goggles have even been placed inside the forest surrounding the camp.
Paths leading into the 4,000-acre estate have been blocked including those near Emily’s Tower which is above the Grade I listed 19th century castle.
Pavements in front of the main entrance have been blocked off to stop people congregating and a camp site and Manorfan Farm Park next to the castle have also been closed.
The ten celebrities including Olympic athlete Sir Mo Farah, 37, funnyman Shane Ritchie, 56, and Corrie legend Bev Callard, 63, are being kept safe by staff believed to be former members of the military.
Shake-up: The army of guards have surrounded haunted Gwrych Castle and have closed nearby roads in preparation of the show’s launch on Sunday
Changes: North Wales is the ITV1 show’s new home after relocating from Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic
Secure: The ring of steel includes wardens in high-vis jackets at the entrances which have been sealed with wire fences
Impressive: MailOnline can also reveal that guards with night-vision goggles have even been placed inside the forest surrounding the camp
No access: Paths leading into the 4,000-acre estate have been blocked including those near Emily’s Tower which is above the castle
Locals who approached the castle in Abergele, North Wales were challenged by dozens of security guards put in place for the 20th series of the survival series.
Richard Hughes, 32, told us: ‘People are being asked what they are doing. Some of them look like proper close protection security with night goggles and everything.
‘My mate got talking to one and he said: ”We like it here – it makes a change from guarding princes in Saudia Arabia”.
‘I think that means they’re ex-military. I don’t think anyone’s getting inside the castle or near any of the stars that’s for sure.’
Precautions: Pavements in front of the main entrance have been blocked off to stop people congregating and a camp site and Manorfan Farm Park next to the castle have also been closed
The best of the best: The ten celebs – including Olympic athlete Sir Mo Farah, 37, and funnyman Shane Ritchie, 56 – are being kept safe by staff believed to be ex-military
Upcoming: The series will start tonight at 9pm and a handful of vans drove in for last-minute preparations
Mother-of-one Sian Thomas, 26, added: ‘I tried to get into the grounds recently as I was walking my dog but was stopped.
‘You can see security guards everywhere even as you walk around it. There are even plain clothes security as you walk in fields nearby keeping an eye on it.
‘Some people even think there are some ex-SAS people but who knows. I’d be more concerned by the ghosts myself’.
Details: I think that means they’re ex-military. I don’t think anyone’s getting inside the castle or near any of the stars that’s for sure’, a local told us
Not available: Locals who approached the castle in Abergele, North Wales were challenged by dozens of security guards put in place for the 20th series of the survival series
‘You can see security guards everywhere even as you walk around it. There are even plain clothes security as you walk in fields nearby keeping an eye on it’, another added
Spooky! Many believe Gwrych Castle is haunted by the White Lady who is thought to be previous owner, Winifred, the Countess of Dundonald, who died in 1924
Many believe Gwrych Castle is haunted by the White Lady who is thought to be previous owner, Winifred, the Countess of Dundonald, who died in 1924.
She has been seen at the windows and it is thought she is angry with her husband who she cut off in her will but who then bought back the castle and stripped it of her possessions and sell its contents.
Locals believe she also fell out with caretaker Bill Price, who would lock up the library at night only to find it opened the next morning.
New beginnings: A rainbow was seen over the Grade I listed 19th century castle hours before the show kicked off
Chilly: Conditions are the most bleak that celebrities have faced in the show’s history with crumbling sleeping quarters equipped with rickety iron framed beds and hammocks
There also rooms where dogs refuse to enter, including a room where the Countess’ spiritual healer is thought to have held seances.
The series will start tonight at 9pm and a handful of vans have been seen driving in for last-minute preparations.
Conditions are the most bleak that celebrities have faced in the show’s history with crumbling sleeping quarters equipped with rickety iron framed beds and hammocks.
The ten celebrities were driven into the camp on Friday night after completing their first challenges.
Shocked! Campmate Jessica Plummer was horrified as she entered the rusted and unclean bathroom which they will have to use for the duration of the show
Radio I DJ Jordan North, 30, was sick and Jessica Plumber, 28, looked terrified as they did abseiling off a cliff in nearby Anglesey.
The weather has not been kind to them since their arrival at their Welsh home with torrential rain and high winds.
Storm conditions are forecast tonight with rain and winds gusting up to 48mph as the celebrities compete in terrifying challenges in the early hours of Monday morning.
This is hell: Viewers will watch on Sunday’s show the ten terrified celebrities arrive at The Gates To Hell- a huge gatehouse-like building in front of the derelict castle
I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! 2020: Who are the celebrities?
Name: SIR MO FARAH CBE
Age: 37
Claim to fame: The most successful British track athlete in Olympic Games history
Phobias: Any animal that moves
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running
Role in the camp: Cook
Miss most: Coffee, my wife and children
Dream campmate: Samuel L Jackson would be pretty cool
Relationship status: Married
Name: SHANE RICHIE
Age: 56
Phobias: Human faeces. If I see one, it is over! I am hoping the camp toilet will be enclosed
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: Nothing. I don’t think I am that interesting
Role in the camp: Person who will muck in with anything
Miss most: My family and routine at home
Dream campmate: Eric Cantona, any 80s’ pop star or The Roc
Relationship status: Married
Name: BEVERLEY CALLARD
Age: 63
Claim to fame: Corrie legend
Phobias: Ghosts and insects
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People think I am glamorous as I have played Liz for so long but I am not
Role in the camp: Cleaner
Miss most: Dogs and my husband, Jon
Dream campmate: Ricky Gervais – he would keep us all going
Relationship status: Married
Name: AJ PRITCHARD
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Former Strictly professional
Phobias: Heights, claustrophobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People see me with sparkles and fake tan but nobody knows what I am like
Role in the camp: Keeping spirits up and the cleaner
Miss most: My warm and comfy bed
Dream campmate: Any celebrity with an intriguing background
Relationship status: Dating
Name: VERNON KAY
Age: 46
Claim to fame: TV and radio presenter
Phobias: I don’t like being confined underwater!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I think I have always been the same throughout my career – so I don’t have any.
Role in the camp: Person to keep spirits up.
Miss most: My family.
Dream camper: Anybody who has won the Super Bowl!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE
Age: 52
Claim to fame: Award-winning journalist
Phobias: I am not a fan of spiders or confined spaces and I don’t know what I am going to be like when I get there!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t think I have any as people just know me as the news and current affairs person!
Role in the camp: Shoulder to cry on.
Miss most: My boys, husband, dog and Mum.
Dream campmate: Madonna, Gary Lineker and Jamie Oliver to cook for us. I think you could have some really geeky chats with them!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: GIOVANNA FLETCHER
Age: 35
Claim to fame: Author and podcaster
Phobias: Heights. My legs go wobbly and you can’t rationalise it
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I am not that controversial so nothing
Role in the camp: Mum, friend and the giver of hugs
Miss most: My husband, Tom, and my three children
Dream campmate: The Queen, Judi Dench and Ant Middleton so he can help us with all the survival skills
Relationship status: Married
Name: JESSICA PLUMMER
Age: 28
Claim to fame: Former EastEnders actress
Phobias: Arachnophobia, fear of heights –just about every phobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me for who I am rather than my EastEnders character
Role in the camp: Chatterbox and little sister
Miss most: My daughter. It’s going to be the longest we’ve been apart
Dream campmate: Denzel Washington would be awesome. I would listen to every word he said
Relationship status: Single
Name: JORDAN NORTH
Age: 30
Claim to fame: Radio 1 DJ
Phobias: It’s just easier to say what I am not scared of. I have so many phobias
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: On my Radio 1 show, I am always bubbly and energetic but everyone has down moments too, so it will be nice for people to see what I am really like
Role in the camp: Entertainer and the tidy up person –I love a tidy house
Miss most: A nice cool pint of Guinness
Dream campmate: Barack Obama and Liam Gallagher. He would be great entertainment value
Relationship status: Single
Name: HOLLIE ARNOLD MBE
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Paralympic gold medallist
Phobias: Spiders
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t want it to focus on my disability
Role in the camp: Cook/shoulder to cry on
Miss most: My boyfriend, food and my cats
Dream campmate: Michelle Keegan –she is beautiful
Relationship status: Dating