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Medic Bob Won't Take Part In This Year's I'm A Celebrity

Medic Bob Won't Take Part In This Year's I'm A Celebrity

The series will be filmed in Wales this year

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

One of the stalwarts of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! will not be appearing in this year's series.

Medic Bob, real name Robert McCarron, has been an ever-present in the hit show since it first aired back in 2002.

However, due to the restrictions surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the doc won't be able to make the trip across to the UK.

This year's series is being filmed at Gwyrch Castle in Wales, and ITV has confirmed to LADbible that Bob will be staying put down under.

But fans need not fear, because we have been assured he will be back with Ant and Dec as soon as the show can return to Australia.

Speaking to the Sun, an insider said: "Medic Bob is one of the pillars of I'm A Celebrity but unfortunately it wasn't going to be a possibility to have him on board this year.

Medic Bob won't be on hand to help the celebs in this year's series.
ITV

"Bob is based in Australia and with the changing restrictions there and in the UK, it became evident he wasn't going to be able to feature.

"Of course this is completely temporary and Bob will return once I'm A Celebrity is back in Australia.

"A UK based medic will instead be used on the show and Bob's absence will be referenced by Ant and Dec."

Among the host of celebs fighting it out to be king or queen of the castle this year are Olympic legend Mo Farah, 37, Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard, 63, and dancer AJ Pritchard, 26.

Presenter Vernon Kay, 46, Shane Richie, 56, ex-EastEnders actor Jessica Plummer, 28, and Paralympic gold medalist Hollie Arnold, 26, are also in the running.

After news broke that the reality series would be filmed in Wales this year, Dr Mark Baker, Chair of the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust said he was thrilled with the development.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted that I'm A Celebrity has chosen Gwrych Castle to be its UK location for the 2020 series.

"Gwrych Castle is a beautiful grade I listed 19th county house and a must-see destination for tourists visiting Wales.

"I'm A Celebrity being here will really help support Gwrych Castle and its ongoing restoration as well as giving the region a much-needed economic boost."

Richard Cowles, Director of Entertainment at ITV Studios said: "The Australian jungle is such an integral part of the show it was a big challenge to find a UK location where we could continue to deliver what viewers love about I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

"But Gwrych will definitely do that; the Castle sits in an amazing and atmospheric setting on a hillside overlooking the Irish Sea.

"While there will be plenty of changes required as we move from New South Wales in Australia to North Wales in the UK, we are really excited to see how we can adapt the format and make the Castle our new home for a very special 20th series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! this Autumn."

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! kicks off on ITV this Sunday (15 November) at 9pm.

Featured Image Credit: ITV

Topics: UK Entertainment, ITV, Australia