ITV has reportedly begun detailed talks over how this year's series of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here will go ahead.
TV productions have been forced to adapt normal working procedures in the light of the coronavirus pandemic, with those involving close contact such as I'm A Celebrity being delayed or cancelled completely.
ITV is said to be adamant that the series will go ahead as usual in November and producers are planning to send the celebrities out to Australia a fortnight early in order to comply with the country's quarantine rules.
Australia has been extremely successful in containing the spread of COVID-19, reporting just 103 deaths from a population of over 25 million, and as a result ITV is looking at using local TV crews to film the show instead of British crew.
"I'm A Celebrity is six months away but bosses are holding meetings about how they can ensure it still goes ahead in the current climate," a source told The Sun.
"A raft of measures are being looked at. One of the most recent plans was to employ a crew that is 95% made up of Australian workers to overcome the issues surrounding flying to different countries and the quarantine restrictions. This would mean a lot of the show's UK crew missing out on their annual big gig but ITV are having to seriously consider every option.
"The changing nature of the crisis means that every situation is having to be assessed and planned for. It's such a ratings hit, so they'll do everything possible to make sure it goes on air. But the safety and welfare of their teams is the priority at all times."
Rumoured names for this year's series include Nigel Farage, AJ Pritchard and John Barnes.
Neil Wilkes
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