The History of I’m a Celebrity: From 2002 to 2026
How a celebrity survival experiment became a fixture of British television, from the first Australian camp and Bushtucker Trials to Wales, all-star spin-offs and a new jungle series.
How did I’m a Celebrity begin?
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! began on ITV in August 2002, bringing well-known personalities into a remote Australian camp, where viewers could watch their friendships, arguments and reactions to uncomfortable tasks. Ant & Dec helped turn the experiment into a nightly television event.
2002: the original jungle experiment
The debut had a smaller cast and a shorter run than the modern show, but the basic idea was already there: live camp life, difficult challenges and a viewer-chosen champion.
Eight people, one remote camp
Series one aired from Queensland. Its mix of real-time celebrity behaviour, discomfort, humour and public votes quickly attracted interest beyond a conventional game show.
Tony Blackburn makes history
The veteran radio presenter beat fellow finalists to become the first King of the Jungle. Phil Tufnell followed in 2003, and the format was firmly established.
I’m a Celebrity timeline: 2002 to 2026
The biggest changes to the main series and its spin-offs, without retelling every individual series.
The first series
Eight campmates enter a Queensland rainforest camp. Tony Blackburn becomes the first winner.
A second series and a move
Phil Tufnell wins. Production is now based in New South Wales.
Two series in one year
Kerry Katona wins the early series and Joe Pasquale the later run, as November becomes the familiar season.
Celebrity Cyclone debuts
The large-scale obstacle course joins the collection of Bushtucker Trials.
A change of presenter
Holly Willoughby joins Declan Donnelly while Ant McPartlin takes a break.
The castle years
Covid-era production moves to Gwrych Castle in North Wales for two editions.
Back to Australia
Jungle filming resumes after two years away. Jill Scott wins the series.
South Africa spin-off launches
Former campmates compete in an all-star edition, won by Myleene Klass.
A new generation of winners
Content creator Angry Ginge wins the 25th regular series.
Another all-star champion
Adam Thomas wins South Africa series two. The regular show is scheduled for 16 November.
Why the format became so recognisable
The four elements below give every series its shape, even as the contestants, location and individual trials change.
Camp life
Celebrities leave familiar comforts behind and live together under constant observation.
Public votes
Viewers help decide who faces many trials and later who leaves the camp.
Bushtucker Trials
Tasks test courage and teamwork, often determining how many stars are earned for food.
The final
Remaining campmates compete for the title of King or Queen of the Jungle.
Ant & Dec, the presenters and the spin-off shows
Two hosts became part of the show
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have fronted the programme since 2002. Their light-hearted reactions to the trials and camp news became part of the viewing ritual.
There was one notable exception: Holly Willoughby co-presented with Dec in 2018 while Ant took time away from television. Ant returned for the following regular series.
Behind-the-scenes coverage expanded
The main programme grew a companion-show tradition on ITV2, running under names including I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! NOW!, Extra Camp and, more recently, Unpacked.
The extra programmes follow departing celebrities, camp reactions and the production around the nightly broadcasts. The exact hosts and format have changed over time.
From the Australian jungle to a Welsh castle
Location has shaped several distinct chapters of the programme’s history.
Australia
The first series was in Queensland. The main show later established its long-running camp in New South Wales, with jungle conditions central to the format.
Gwrych Castle, Wales
Covid-related travel restrictions moved production to a ruined castle in Abergele. The winners were called King or Queen of the Castle.
South Africa
A separate all-star spin-off reunited former campmates. Myleene Klass won in 2023; Adam Thomas won the second series in 2026.
The regular programme returned to Australia in 2022. The South Africa episodes are a separate competition, not a replacement for the annual Australian edition.
Winners who marked different eras
These selected champions show how the cast has changed from radio stars and actors to sports figures and online creators.
First King of the Jungle
First Queen of the Jungle
A popular television breakout
Won the series with Holly Willoughby co-presenting
First Queen of the Castle
Winner after the return to Australia
Another fan-favourite champion
Won the 24th regular series
Morgan Burtwistle wins the 25th regular series
These are highlights, not a complete winners list. The 2026 main series has not yet crowned a winner.
How big did I’m a Celebrity become?
The programme has remained a substantial television and streaming event, although viewing measures have changed since 2002.
These are three different measures: initial overnight television audience, seven-day consolidated TV audience and total streaming activity. They should not be read as a like-for-like trend chart.
What happens in 2026?
ITV1 and ITVX
ITV has scheduled the 26th regular series for 16 November 2026. Ant & Dec are returning as hosts, and the show is heading back to the familiar Australian setting.
As of 4 November 2026, the new series has not aired, so there is no 2026 King or Queen of the Jungle to add to the history yet.
Why the jungle formula has lasted
From Tony Blackburn’s first win to the Welsh castle years, returning all-stars and the rise of streaming, the ingredients remain simple: famous people outside their comfort zones, viewers shaping the action and a shared nightly conversation. That combination has kept I’m a Celebrity part of British television for more than two decades.
Frequently asked questions
When did I’m a Celebrity first start?
The first UK series started on ITV on 25 August 2002. Tony Blackburn was crowned its first winner.
Who originally presented I’m a Celebrity?
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly presented the programme from its launch in 2002. Holly Willoughby joined Declan Donnelly for the 2018 series while Ant was away.
Why was I’m a Celebrity filmed in Wales?
Travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic led ITV to film at Gwrych Castle in North Wales in 2020 and 2021. The main series returned to Australia in 2022.
Who won the first I’m a Celebrity South Africa?
Myleene Klass won the first all-star South Africa edition in 2023. Adam Thomas won the second edition in 2026.
When does I’m a Celebrity 2026 start?
The 26th regular series is scheduled to begin on Monday 16 November 2026 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The series has not started as of 4 November 2026.
Hasnaat Mahmood
FindCheapStreaming · Film, television and streaming coverage