I’m A Celebrity 2021: The beautiful spots in Wales where launch show was filmed

  • ITV Wales video report


I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! launched its 21st series on Sunday night.

It's the second time the flagship series has been hosted in Wales due to travel restrictions in Australia.

The launch show saw celebrities making their journey into camp at Gwrych Castle with a number of head-to-head battles to see who would spend their first night in the 'main camp' and who would head to the 'Castle Clink' and be on basic rations.

But where were the launch show locations filmed?

The show started with the celebrities travelling on the Pen-y-Pass road in Llanberis, which takes you from Nant Peris to the foothills of Snowdon.

Pen-y-Pass Llanberis Credit: I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

Blown away by the views, choreographer Arlene Phillips said the scenes were "absolutely beautiful."

Diver Matty Lee, who won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was also impressed with rural Wales saying: "It's in the middle of nowhere. I don't see a house in sight."

Four celebrities met at Cefn Castell in Criccieth Credit: I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

Four celebrities were taken to a white house in a panoramic location overlooking Cardigan Bay. This was Cefn Castell in Criccieth.

Broadcaster Louise Minchin, music producer Naughty Boy, radio DJ Snoochie Shy and Emmerdale star Danny Miller were then taken to face their first challenge.

Alexandra Quarry, Penyffridd Credit: I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

All four celebrities took part in the 'plank challenge' where they went head to head in pairs walking the plank over the Alexandra Quarry near Penyffridd on the outskirts of Caernarfon.

The other four celebrities were driven through the Welsh mountains before meeting at a stately home. This was Mostyn Hall in Flintshire.

Mostyn Hall, Flintshire Credit: I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

The Grade 1 listed building has been in the hands of the Mostyn family for several centuries, and in the mid-19th century, they were responsible for developing the town of Llandudno.

Matty Lee and Arlene Phillips were joined by Paralympic Gold Medalist Kadeena Cox and Football Legend David Ginola.

Four celebrities took part in the 'Hell Hole Challenge' Credit: I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

They were taken in a helicopter to take part in the 'Hell Hole Challenge' in a mysterious north Wales forest.

All eight celebrities were then escorted back to Gwrych Castle in Abergele, where they were joined by two more celebrities, pop star and presenter Frankie Bridge and journalist Richard Madeley.

Gwrych Castle, Abergele

Dr Mark Baker, the founder of the preservation trust at Gwrych Castle said they weren't expecting them to come back to north Wales this year but they're "so glad that they did".

He said: "It's really elevated the profile of the castle, for 30/40 years it was derelict, it was closed. But we have been working so hard to open it.

"We struggled to clear unpassable pathways, but I'm A Celebrity was able to put roofs on and make it accessible, and we are able to go into the main building now.

"It's been that adrenaline shot that the project has needed."

'Go North Wales', a tourist information site also said that the programme was a "huge morale booster for the region".

A spokesperson said: "Last year’s programme coming to Wales was a real bonus and huge morale booster for the region. It certainly was an opportunity to showcase Gwrych Castle, Abergele and North Wales. 

"Having the opportunity to bring the programme back to North Wales for a second year is excellent news. 

"Last nights programme was outstanding and showed the very best of North Wales, all credit to the ITV producers they got it spot on. 

"We are confident, the programme will raise the profile of our region as we recover from the last 2 years."

Garffild Lloyd Lewis is the show's Welsh language consultant

Garffild Lloyd Davies is the show's Welsh language adviser. He says that the inclusion of the language on the show is "very important" to him and the production company.

He said: "We feel very strongly that the Welsh language should be seen and heard, as a living language, as a fun language.

"There's quite a distinction between having fun with a language and making fun of the language. That's very important to us and it's very important to ITV as well, and the production team."

Garffild also believes that filming I'm a Celebrity in north Wales has been "brilliant for the whole area" and that it will be a "huge boost for the economy".