Ant and Dec have revealed they are ‘struggling’ to film I’m A Celebrity because of the ‘confusing’ logistics.
For 20 years the duo have enjoyed spending British winters on ’s Gold Coast playing golf together and spending quality time in the sun with their families.
But this year Dec, 48, admitted: ‘We’re struggling with the time difference here. Because we film the show in Queensland which is an hour behind where we are staying in New South Wales.
‘It gets very confusing because we have to hop between the time zones.’
Ant, who celebrated his 48th birthday on Saturday, chipped in: ‘Yeah and it means we’re always late for restaurant bookings.’
Under pressure: Ant and Dec have revealed they are ‘struggling’ to film I’m A Celebrity because of the ‘confusing’ logistics
During filming, the pair stay in a luxury £1000-a-night luxury beachside apartment in New South Wales equipped with a private pool and near a golf course – while the celebrities sleep in cramped sleeping quarters.
Ant and Dec wake up at 2am [AEST] and drive approximately half an hour to camp each day and shoot an episode which will air the following evening in the UK.
Filming wraps at around 4pm [AEST] and the dynamic duo are reportedly in bed by 6:30pm to get enough sleep for their early rise.
The I’m A Celebrity camp is on the edge of the Queensland border so, despite staying less than 20 miles from the filming location, Ant and Dec have to cross over the state time zone – constantly flipping between an hour ahead and one behind.
Dec is here with his wife Ali Astall, 44, their five-year-old daughter Isla and baby son Jack who are all staying in the penthouse apartment with a rooftop pool and outdoor spa – with in-room massages available.
Meanwhile, Ant’s wife-of-two years, Anne-Marie, 46, is nowhere to be seen despite usually joining her husband for the month-long stint on the Gold Coast with her two teenage daughters.
The pair have been presenting the ITV show since it debuted in 2002 but in 2018 Ant was replaced by Holly Willoughby after he took a series off to address his addiction to alcohol.
During the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the show’s location was moved to Wales and it was revealed the TV duo were staying with their families in a £1,000 a week four-bedroom cottage equipped with a trout farm.
Dec admitted: ‘We’re struggling with the time difference here. Because we film the show in Queensland which is an hour behind where we are staying in New South Wales‘
Up next: The show’s second episode will see fan favourites Nella Rose, 26, and Nigel Farage, 59, take each other on in an eating Bushtucker trial called Jungle Pizzeria
The show’s second episode is set to air at 9pm and will see fan favourites Nella Rose, 26, and Nigel Farage, 59, take each other on in an eating Bushtucker trial called Jungle Pizzeria.
The two TikTok giants will have the option of eating pizza topped with sheep and cow udder or with critters and worms.
Fans weren’t surprised to see the MP voted for the trial and said the pair are going to be ‘TV gold’.
He was introduced in the first episode of the new series of the hit programme, saying: ‘I’m known for politics, for Brexit, and I’m a hero to some people and an absolute villain to millions.
‘In the jungle you’re going to find the real me. You might like me more, you might dislike me more, but you will at least find out.
‘The best way to handle conflict is to tackle it head on. I dealt with snakes in the European Parliament, I can cope with this too.’
He is joined on the show by names including Jamie Lynn Spears, the sister of pop superstar Britney, This Morning host Josie Gibson and TV presenter Fred Sirieix.
Also in the mix this year are food critic Grace Dent, reality star Sam Thompson, JLS singer Marvin Humes, former EastEnders actress Danielle Harold and Hollyoaks actor Nick Pickard.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! airs daily at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
NIGEL FARAGE
Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party and leader of the Brexit Party.
Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty.
Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news.
Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore.
Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields
DANIELLE HAROLD
Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.
Phobias: Rats. I hate them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too!
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either.
Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.
FRED SIRIEIX
Claim to fame: First Dates star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp.
Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning.
Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient!
Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.
NELLA ROSE
Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star.
Phobias: I am fearful of everything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book.
Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it!
Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele.
NICK PICKARD
Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star.
Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character.
Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop!
Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock.
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS
Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.
Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone.
Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed.
Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot.
Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.
SAM THOMPSON
Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter.
Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!
Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things.
Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle!
JOSIE GIBSON
Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.
Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information!
Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on!
Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry.
Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her.
MARVIN HUMES
Claim to fame: JLS star.
Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too.
Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food.
Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.
GRACE DENT
Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic.
Phobias: Horrible people.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep.
Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour!