I'm a Celebrity 2021: Abergele goes all out to give town a makeover

The people of Abergele have gone above and beyond to attract visitors to the town. Credit: Facebook/ Siren Hair by Billy

Businesses in Abergele have gone head-to-head in their very own ‘I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!’ competition. 

The popular series has returned to the Welsh town for the second time running, with campmates such as Louise Minchin, David Ginola and Naughty Boy amongst those staying at Gwrych Castle. 

Continuing with last year’s tradition, every business in Abergele and its outskirts was invited to dress its windows with I’m a Celebrity pictures and decorations. 

Describing the reaction to the challenge set, the town's mayor, Cllr Alan Hunter said businesses had “really embraced it” and that this year’s competition was “very well received”. 

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From life size cardboard cutouts of Ant and Dec to magnificent sketches of the castle, the town went all out.

The judging panel were Abergele’s mayor and mayoress, two members of the town council, the town clerk and the town council place plan coordinator, who said the outstanding standard made the judging “very, very difficult”. 

Dawn Williams, owner of ‘A cut above Barbers', came in second place. She said: "We did the cyclone, that's the event the celebrities do at the end, where the last four take part in it.

"We had Barbie dolls and Ken dolls dressed up as the contestants and we had balls thrown at them. "

According to Dawn, the reaction to their hard work has made it all worthwhile.

Dawn Williams came runner up as she recreated the famous cyclone. Credit: Cllr Alan Hunter

“People have been standing outside taking pictures and people have been having a walk around the town."

The top three businesses were awarded vouchers to be used in the Gwrych Castle shop.

According to Dawn, her staff have already used their vouchers to buy their children some magnificent memorabilia. 

The prizes were presented to the winners last week with Siren Hairdressers, Hair by Billy, winning first place. 

Reacting to the news on social media, they said: "Thank you for voting for our I’m a Celebrity window display.

Siren hair by Billy won the first prize for it's castle display. Credit: Facebook/ Siren hair by Billy

"We are very grateful to have come in first place, well done to all the other shops taking part - a special thank you to Pam for painting us the fantastic picture of Gwrych castle."

In third place was Gwalia Butchers. Darren King, co-owner, said the competition “was a good lift for the town.” 

He added: “We got two thrones for the King or Queen of the castle in the window and a castle brickwork effect around the perimeter of the window and then the characters too. When they get eliminated, we pull them out one by one.” 

Despite the healthy competition amongst businesses in Abergele, the town's mayor says the enthusiasm towards the ITV show has been present long before the challenge was set. 

Gwalia butchers created two thrones for the future King or Queen. Credit: Cllr Alan Hunter

“I think, if we didn’t have the competition, the businesses and shops here would have decorated their shop windows anyway. It’s not about the prizes, it’s about embracing what’s come to town," he said.

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! continues on ITV tonight as more celebrities face the dreaded challenges.