I'm A Celebrity crisis as contestant AJ Pritchard tests positive for Covid

EDITORIAL USE ONLY AJ Pritchard attending the Virgin Pride Flight party, at One World Observatory in New York. PA (Image credit: PA)

I'm A Celebrity is due to kick off next weekend...

I'm A Celebrity 2020 has reportedly been thrown into chaos after rumoured contestant AJ Pritchard has tested positive for Covid.

According to The Sun, the former Strictly Come Dancing star is currently self isolating with his girlfriend, Abbie Quinnen, near the Welsh castle.

Ant and Dec I'm A Celebrity — Ant and Dec are back for the new series, starting next weekend (Picture: ITV) (Image credit: James Gourley)

The new series of the show kicks off next weekend (Sunday 15th November, see our TV Guide for full listings) and while all celebrities taking part are yet to be confirmed, AJ has been in the running for some time.

More: I'm A Celebrity a Jungle Story - everything you need to know

A source reportedly told The Sun: "It could put the whole show in jeopardy. This is the last thing anyone wanted.

Strictly Come Dancing 2016 - AJ Pritchard — Former Strictly Come Dancing star AJ has tested positive for Covid just days before filming kicks off (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Jay Brooks/Matt Burlem)

"It has been a shock to AJ as he has been feeling fine and following the precautions.

"Everyone is on tenterhooks. Like the other contestants AJ has had a routine Covid test, which came back positive. He will have another one before going in."

As with all TV production at the moment, strict guidelines must be followed in order for filming to go ahead.

The source continued: "The ITV production team have gone to incredible lengths all year to make sure everything is carried out safely and with as minimal risk to the cast and crew as possible.

I'm A Celebrity new logo for new series

I'm A Celebrity will be set in a haunted Welsh castle this year (Picture: ITV) (Image credit: ITV)

"There is little room for error. If several stars were struck down then it would throw the whole show into jeopardy."

ITV added: "We can confirm that a member of the cast has received a positive Covid result and that individual is self isolating where we are giving them all the support that they need."

I’m A Celebrity Ant and Dec bushtucker trial meal — Tonight's I'm A Celebrity A Jungle Story will see Ant and Dec facing their own Bushtucker challenges... (Picture: ITV) (Image credit: ITV)

Fans of the reality TV show will already know that things are going to look a little different this year.

The show be filmed in a haunted Welsh castle instead of the Australian jungle, however presenters Ant and Dec will be returning to the show as usual.

I'm A Celebrity 2020 starts on Sunday 15th November at 9pm on ITV1.

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.