We’re just two days away from seeing another batch of famous people head to the jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! But this year’s version of the popular Channel 10 reality TV show will be very different from its predecessor.
Usually, the show is beamed to Aussie screens live from South Africa, however, this year, the whole season has been pre-recorded. Comedian and co-host of the show, Julia Morris, explained to Yahoo Lifestyle she’s thrilled to watch the show for the first time from the comfort of her own home.
“Honestly, I thought it was better [filming it this way],” she said.
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“The live show can be quite a high-level cluster of full-brain explosion and all of a sudden it’s over.
“I think having the luxury of a whisper of more time gave us a chance to really like work on some jokes and work on some physical comedy.”
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How will a pre-recorded season affect the show?
The daily shows and eliminations have already been filmed, which means viewers won’t be able to have their say on who stays and who continues.
So who decides then and what happens with the finale?
“What is going to happen is that the celebrities will choose each other, which creates a really interesting dynamic,” Julia said.
Additionally, the finale has also already been filmed. This isn’t uncommon on reality TV shows, but producers have to film multiple endings with the remaining contestants, who all have to pretend they’ve won.
“There’s a certain vulnerability in that as most performers will still have whispers of self doubt,” Julia said.
Robert Irwin and Julia Morris are excited for another season of I’m A Celeb. Picture: Channel 10
Aussies will still be able to vote for their favourite campmate for the finale, and whoever has the most votes will have the version they filmed winning shown on TV.
“I think there’s so many nice and interesting changes to get us really just peaking about what the celebrities have to do and how they have to do it,” Julia added.
“Viewers will scream at the television when their favourite goes out. I like that element of you just don’t know what’s coming.”
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The contestants were flown over to the African continent in late November to film the series over several weeks.
When the show first aired in Australia, the celebrities were in the camp for 45 days.
This trend continued until the fourth season, with the fifth seeing them only in the camp for 33 days.
Last year’s season, which was the 11th instalment, was only 28 days and it’s unclear how long they’ll be in the jungle for the 2026 version.
Who is going into the jungle for I’m A Celeb 2026?
At the moment, we only know of one celebrity who has been cast in this year’s season: Luke Bateman.
The farmer and former NRL player turned reality TV star turned book influencer and author has gained an army of followers on social media after revealing his love of novels.
“I’ll be going into the jungle representing my charity Farm Angels, which is charity very close to my heart,” he said while announcing his involvement in this year’s season.
“They do amazing work in my community, and I’m very excited to see what Robert and Julia have cooked up for me in there.
“I’m sure there’ll be some delectable food items and some fear-instilling trials. I can’t wait. I’ll see you all in the jungle.”
He is the ‘rugby Romeo’ that Channel 10 hinted at when it dished out clues for who will be on this season.
These are the other hints that the network has revealed so far:
As for who will be the last three remaining contestants, Julia said it will be a rollercoaster of a journey.
“There are favourites of mine I thought probably could have taken [the crown] that left or lost the challenge,” she said.
“I think the final three are incredibly worthy for three very different reasons. And the final three really, really, really liked each other.”
I’m A Celebrity airs its first episode on Channel 10 on Sunday January 18 at 7pm AEDT.
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