Quick Read
- The 2026 season of I’m a Celebrity… South Africa features a confirmed cast of 12 returning contestants, including former winners and show legends.
- The series was pre-recorded in South Africa, but the grand final will be broadcast live from London to allow for audience voting.
- Notable participants include Craig Charles, who is returning after a 2014 withdrawal, and Gemma Collins, seeking a redemption arc from her previous appearance.
ITV has officially confirmed the star-studded lineup for the highly anticipated second season of I’m a Celebrity… South Africa. The spin-off series, which returns to screens in 2026 following the success of its 2023 debut, features a roster of returning campmates from previous seasons of the original I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! format.
A New Generation of Jungle Legends
The cast for this year’s installment includes twelve familiar faces, ranging from Olympic gold medalists to iconic television personalities. The initial group entering the camp includes actors Adam Thomas and Craig Charles, television presenter Scarlett Moffatt, singer Ashley Roberts, boxer David Haye, comedian Seann Walsh, pop icon Sinitta, and Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah. They will be joined by reality television personality Gemma Collins and former professional footballer Jimmy Bullard, with football manager Harry Redknapp set to arrive later in the series.
Redemption and Returning Favorites
The 2026 season aims to offer several contestants a chance at a “redemption arc” or a complete experience. Craig Charles, who was forced to withdraw from the 2014 series following the sudden death of his brother, returns to the jungle with the goal of finishing his journey. Similarly, Gemma Collins has returned to the show twelve years after her initial appearance, citing a desire for a fresh start. Beverley Callard, known for her role on Coronation Street, participated in the filming of the series prior to undergoing treatment for breast cancer, according to Radio Times.
Production and Format Changes
Hosted by Ant and Dec, the production was pre-recorded in South Africa, though the series introduces a significant change to the finale format. While the trials were filmed in the extreme conditions of the South African landscape, the grand final will be broadcast live from London, allowing viewers to cast their decisive votes. The show will be supported by a companion vodcast, I’m a Celebrity… Unpacked, hosted by Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers.
The return of this all-star format underscores a strategic shift by ITV to leverage established reality television intellectual property, placing veteran contestants in more rigorous environments to satisfy audience demand for high-stakes competition and legacy-driven narratives.