I’m A Celebrity’s ‘production team left in chaos after coronavirus scare’

ITV bosses have reportedly had to deal with a coronavirus scare among crew members while filming this year’s I’m A Celebrity in Gwrych Castle in North Wales. 

According to The Sun, some of the production team had to go into two weeks of quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus.

The isolation period is said to have riled some feathers of those who were employed as freelance staff because they are having to self-isolate without pay.

The publication reports producers ‘enforced two weeks of isolation’, even when some of those isolating tested negative for the virus in further tests.

A crew member told The Sun: ‘I am a huge fan of the show and love Ant and Dec, but it’s been difficult to watch and laugh at the jokes knowing how much they’re getting paid, whilst I’m forced to self isolate, without pay.

‘While colleagues working for the BBC, on feature films and Netflix productions have been fully compensated for any Covid-related absence from work, that’s not what ITV are prepared to give any of their freelancers.’ 

Meanwhile, a different show insider told the publication: ‘As per government advice, if you test positive, you must self-isolate immediately. ITV Studios follows all government and HMRC guidelines for sickness payment in relation to Covid.’

MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment. 

The Government brought in special measures to provide financial support for freelancers and contractors, who might lose their income as they do not have the safety net of an employer to guarantee sick pay. 

In March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced they would be able to claim if they can prove they have been adversely affected by coronavirus. 

To qualify, you must derive most of your income from your self-employed work, have filed a self-assessment tax return for 2019 and not be making profits in excess of £50,000 a year.

Those that do not meet the requirements have to should apply for help via the benefits system.

I’m A Celebrity bosses introduced a stringent ‘Covid management plan’ ahead of the series starting.

This includes the celebrities being tested every three days and crew members wearing proximity buzzers, wear masks and get temperature checks on arrival. 

ITV Studios Director of Entertainment, Richard Cowles, said prior to the series starting: ‘Everyone on the production team has worked incredibly hard to bring I’m A Celebrity to Wales and a massive part of making that possible has been developing our protocols around Covid.

‘We have worked with ITV’s Independent Chief Medical Officer Dr Paul Litchfield, ITV’s Health and Safety Department and our own health and safety and medical teams to keep everyone connected with the production, both in front of and behind the camera, as safe as possible.’

Dr Paul Litchfield added: ‘Those involved in I’m A Celebrity are used to working safely in extreme and difficult environments. The procedures and protocols developed aim to provide defence in depth against the coronavirus, applying industry best practice while always adhering to government and local guidelines.’