ITV has sent fans into a frenzy with the electrifying announcement that I’m A Celebrity… South Africa will return for a second season in 2026, bringing back the jungle fever with a thrilling twist! The beloved TV duo, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, are set to reclaim their hosting thrones, guiding a fresh batch of iconic campmates through the wilds of South Africa’s breathtaking landscape.
The first installment of the all-star edition was a smash hit, with fan-favorite celebrities like Helen Flanagan, Carol Vorderman, and Joe Swash battling it out in TV’s toughest entertainment challenge. Myleene Klass ultimately claimed victory, cementing her place in I’m A Celebrity history. Now, ITV is upping the ante with a game-changing twist: for the first time ever, the winner will be crowned during a live final, with viewers at home holding the power to decide who becomes the ultimate I’m A Celebrity Legend.
Ant and Dec could barely contain their excitement as they shared the news. “The campmates really brought their A-game to the first series, so we can’t wait to be back for more trials, challenges, and surprises amongst the beautiful South African landscape,” Ant enthused. Dec added, “The live final is an exciting addition to the new series, and we’ve heard some of the new trials are truly epic, even by I’m A Celeb standards!”
The dynamic duo took to Instagram to drop the bombshell, with Dec cheekily likening the show’s return to a rare event that “only comes around every three years.” In a playful exchange, Ant revealed the groundbreaking twist: “The finale will be coming to you live from the UK, and you at home will pick the winner who will become the I’m A Celebrity Legend!” Dec, feigning shock, quipped, “Hang on a minute, so the viewers will pick the winner? Where do we get these mad ideas from?” before the pair erupted into their signature chant of the show’s name, with Dec finally calling it quits: “That’s enough!”
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning, shared her enthusiasm: “We were blown away by the love for the first series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa. It was a true celebration of the show’s history, and viewers loved seeing their favorite campmates return. We can’t wait to do it all again next year with a new cohort and have the audience crown the winner during a live final for the first time.”
Tom Gould, Director of Entertainment & Formats at Lifted Entertainment, promised an unforgettable season: “We’re thrilled to bring back some of the most memorable campmates from previous series to face terrifying trials, challenging twists, and tough decisions in the rugged South African setting. With a live final, viewers will decide who truly deserves the title of I’m A Celebrity Legend.”
Produced by Lifted Entertainment (part of ITV Studios) in collaboration with Mitre Studios, the series is commissioned for ITV1 and ITVX by Katie Rawcliffe and Kevin O’Brien, Entertainment & Reality Commissioning Editor at ITV. Executive Producers Oli Head, Iona Mackenzie, and Katrina Morrision are set to deliver a season packed with heart-pounding moments, while ITV Studios will handle distribution.