I'm A Celeb: A recap of the 2020 series

Giovanna Fletcher was crowned Queen of the Castle!

Author: Alex RossPublished 19th Oct 2021
Last updated 19th Oct 2021

Despite the Coronavirus pandemic forcing a lot of our favourite TV programmes to be postponed or cancelled last year, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! returned in 2020 to lift our spirits along with hosts Ant and Dec - who even took on a Bushtucker Trial of their own!

Although the show's 20th series was very different, being filmed at Gwrych Castle, Abergele in North Wales, the show has broken viewing figure records.

After the final on Friday 4th December saw Giovanna Fletcher crowned the winner and first ever Queen of the Castle, here's everything you need to know about the 2020 series of I'm A Celeb.

Who won I'm A Celeb in 2020?

Giovanna Fletcher won the show after being in a super close final with Jordan North and Vernon Kay.

Who was eliminated from I'm A Celeb 2020?

Friday 27th November: Hollie Arnold MBE

Sunday 29th November: Ruthie Henshall

Monday 30th November: Beverley Callard and Victoria Derbyshire

Tuesday 1st December: Russell Watson and Jessica Plummer

Wednesday 2nd December: AJ Pritchard and Mo Farah

Thursday 3rd December: Shane Richie

When was the final of I'm A Celeb 2020?

The 2020 final of I'm A Celeb took place on Friday 4th December with a bumper 95 minute-long episode.

When did I'm A Celebrity 2020 start?

I'm A Celeb 2020 launched on Sunday 15th November at 9pm.

Who took part in I'm A Celebrity 2020?

Lots of famous folk were rumoured to be taking part in I'm A Celeb 2020 - and in October 2020, a number of celebs including Beverley Callard, Vernon Kay, Russell Watson, Victoria Derbyshire and Hollie Arnold were also spotted at the same London studio for a 'photoshoot', leading many to think they were all taking part in the show.

The official line-up was announced on a special show called A Jungle Story on Sunday 8th November - take a look at the official line-up below.

Vernon Kay

TV presenter Vernon Kay has finally agreed to take part in I'm A Celeb after being approached by producers multiple times. He says his daughters Phoebe and Amber are the reason he's doing the show, although we're sure his reported £250k fee has something to do with it too...

Victoria Derbyshire

BBC news presenter Victoria Derbyshire has signed up for I'm A Celeb as beating breast cancer has made her determined to take on new challenges. She says, "I am now saying 'yes' to stuff I wouldn't have done previously. And, if I don't do my boys proud, I will never live it down!"

Shane Richie

EastEnders legend Shane Richie, who played Alfie Moon on the BBC One soap, has been keeping his involvement in I'm A Celeb secret since January, when he first agreed to take part. He says his biggest phobia is human faeces - guess he won't be signing up to empty the dunny then.

Hollie Arnold

Although Paralympian Hollie Arnold is used to racking up the medals on the athletics track, she's admitted she's not even thought about the possibility of winning I'm A Celeb. She explains, "I haven't thought about it as you get lost in thought. But if I could get that far, it would be incredible and change my life!"

Jordan North

Radio 1 DJ Jordan North says he has "so many phobias" but is looking forward to heading into camp as he gets to meet his childhood heroes Ant and Dec.

Beverley Callard

Beverley Callard has played Coronation Street icon Liz McDonald on and off for more than 30 years but she says the biggest misconception about her is that she's as glamorous as her on-screen character. "I hate being dressed up and I don't care if my nails break either! I am quite at home in comfy baggy clothes," she says.

AJ Pritchard

Professional dancer AJ Pritchard says, "Doing I'm A Celebrity is a childhood dream come true," and couldn't help but throw a little shade at Strictly Come Dancing after quitting the show, adding, "I was so excited to watch the return of Strictly this Autumn but now I am going to be on an even better show! I can't wait!"

Giovanna Fletcher

Although author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher will miss the three children she shares her husband Tom, of McFly fame, she says, "I know it is something we can talk about for years to come and say 'remember when mum did that thing!'"

Mo Farah

Although he's known for his massive success on the running track, Olympic hero Mo Farah says, "It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running." He reckons his role in camp will be the cook.

Jessica Plummer

Former EastEnders actress Jessica Plummer admits it will be hard to give up her luxuries and live in the camp's basic conditions but she's hoping taking part in I'm A Celeb will help her cure her phobias. She says, "I have got all the phobias. When my friends see me too, they are going to say 'what the hell? This doesn't make sense!"

Ruthie Henshall

West End and Broadway actress Ruthie Henshall is the first of two late entrants heading into camp this year.

Russell Watson

Opera singer Russell Watson will be joining Ruthie as the second late entrant.

Where was I'm A Celebrity 2020 filmed?

ITV confirmed the 2020 series would take place in the UK, at a castle called Gwrych Castle in Abergele, North Wales.

Announcing the news on 27th August 2020, Richard Cowles, Director of Entertainment at ITV Studios, said: "The Australian jungle is such an integral part of the show it was a big challenge to find a UK location where we could continue to deliver what viewers love about I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

"But Gwrych will definitely do that; the Castle sits in an amazing and atmospheric setting on a hillside overlooking the Irish Sea. While there will be plenty of changes required as we move from New South Wales in Australia to North Wales in the UK, we are really excited to see how we can adapt the format."

Gwrych Castle, Abergele in North Wales

How much did the celebs get paid for I'm A Celeb 2020?

Although a lot of the 2020 celebrities' wages did not get announced, a lot were, with Sir Mo Farah and Vernon Kay reportedly earning the most.

Check out all of the wages below:

Sir Mo Farah: £300,000

With all of his amazing success in the sporting world, it's no surprise Sir Mo Farah cost bosses the most to land on the 2020 series.

He is an Olympian after all!

Vernon Kay: £250,000

Bosses have reportedly been trying to get TV host Vernon on the show for a number of years, but this year they managed to entice him with a whopping pay cheque.

Beverley Callard: £150,000

Coronation Street legend Beverley is reportedly the highest paid woman on this year's series, and it's not a bad little (big) figure either!

Shane Richie: Unknown

Despite Shane's I'm A Celeb fee not being made public, the former EastEnders actor confessed he was 'broke' after a tough 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Russell Watson: £100,000

He was a late arrival into this year's series, but tenor Russell is still getting paid VERY well. The opera legend is reportedly picking up £100K for his stint.

Jessica Plummer: £75,000

Bosses reportedly enticed EastEnders actress Jessica into the Welsh castle with a tasty £75,000.

Giovanna Fletcher: Unknown


Ruthie Henshall: £75,000

She was a late arrival alongside Russell Watson, but already she's had her fair share of trials and secret missions! The West End star and Magic at the Musicals host was reportedly paid a lovely £75,000.

AJ Pritchard: £50,000

After quitting his former role as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year, AJ is reportedly taking home £50K for his appearance in the castle.

Jordan North: Unknown


Hollie Arnold MBE: £50,000

She's used to winning Gold medals not Gold stars, but a fee of £50,000 reportedly got Hollie Arnold MBE into the castle! And after showing off her amazing singing voice, maybe she will leave with a record deal on the table too!

Victoria Derbyshire: Unknown


I'm A Celebrity 2020: Fans overjoyed as show was confirmed to return

ITV confirmed that the show would be returning for 2020 despite the Coronavirus pandemic - and was filmed in the UK for the first time ever. Although the famous faces normally jet off to Australia for the show, this year's series took place at a ruined castle in Wales.

ITV say of the show, 'As on the regular series, viewers will see the celebrities undertake gruelling trials and fun-filled challenges to win food and treats in the lead up to one of them being crowned, for the first time ever, King or Queen of the Castle.'

What is I'm A Celebrity... A Jungle Story?

I'm A Celebrity... A Jungle Story was a special spin-off show that saw Ant and Dec go back through 19 years of the iconic show, giving us a behind-the-scenes look and rediscovering some of our favourite moments from the last almost two decades. Ant and Dec even did a Bushtucker Trial, which aired on the show!

What channel was I'm A Celeb 2020 on?

Just like previous years, I'm A Celeb aired on ITV in 2020.

What time was I'm A Celeb 2020 on?

I'm A Celebrity will air at 9pm every night on ITV.

I'm a Celeb 2020 trailer:

The 2021 series of I'm A Celeb is set to air in November.

Now read:

All of the rumoured celebs set to be taking part in I'm A Celeb 2021

This year's I'm A Celebrity stars will be forced to isolate for 2 weeks

I'm A Celeb bosses tease line-up in cast reveal video

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