Members of the crew on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2022 have tested positive for coronavirus days before the final is due to take place.
During last night’s episode, radio DJ Chris Moyles became the latest star to be eliminated from the jungle, following in the footsteps of Charlene White, Scarlette Douglas, Sue Cleaver, Boy George and Babatunde Aléshé.
There are now only five celebrities left in camp – Mike Tindall, Matt Hancock, Jill Scott, Owen Warner and Seann Walsh – with one of them set to be crowned the new King or Queen of the Jungle in just a few days’ time.
However, the show was recently rocked by a couple of positive Covid-19 cases, resulting in certain ‘protocols’ being ‘implemented’ to ensure the safety of everyone working on the ITV programme.
In a statement sent to Metro.co.uk, a show spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm a couple of production team members have tested positive for coronavirus.
‘The protocols we have in place for such an eventuality have been implemented and filming has continued as we adhere to all Covid guidelines.’
Amid the news of a couple of positive Covid-19 cases among the I’m A Celebrity production team, an insider claimed that everyone was on ‘high alert’ given how soon the final is taking place.
‘The producers have grand plans to make the final bigger than ever so no one is seen without a mask and there have been loads more people queueing up to get themselves tested on site,’ they said, according to The Sun.
‘The team also closed down the night shift tent which sells snacks and drinks to the crew in order to give it a deep clean.’
The source stressed that ‘safety is paramount on a show of this scale and bosses are sure that the strict measures they have in place will mean that the final will still go ahead as planned’.
Throughout this year’s I’m A Celebrity, which returned to Australia after a couple of years at Gwrych Castle in Wales, viewers have spotted members of the production team wearing masks on set.
When Olivia Attwood was forced to step down from the show, it was claimed that she had to leave after breaking a ‘strict Covid bubble’ – but it was later clarified that wasn’t the case, as ‘routine blood tests’ concluded that she was ‘dangerously anaemic’.
Speaking about her premature exit, the Love Island star said: ‘They feared my levels might drop and it could be detrimental to my health and wellbeing.
‘I was absolutely devastated. I’m not a crier but I started to cry, it was so emotional. I was heartbroken and gutted. I tried to keep my emotions in check and keep it in perspective, things could be so much worse.’
I’m A Celebrity returns tonight at 9.15pm on ITV.
