I’m a Celebrity… All Stars 2026: Launch Date, Star-Studded Cast and the Biggest Twists Explained
As the leaves turn and the nights draw in, Britain’s telly schedules are already buzzing with one unmissable event: the return of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! All Stars for its 2026 edition. This special spin-off promises to crank up the jungle drama to fever pitch, reuniting legendary campmates from across two decades of the ITV juggernaut. With whispers of record-breaking trials and unprecedented twists, producers are teasing a series that could redefine reality TV showdowns. Whether you’re a die-hard fan reliving glory days or a newcomer lured by the glamour and grit, here’s everything you need to know about the launch date, the powerhouse cast, and the jaw-dropping surprises in store.
The All Stars format, first trialled in spin-off specials, has evolved into a full-blown spectacle that pits series winners, fan favourites, and notorious quitters against each other. Gone are the one-and-done newcomers; this is a clash of titans where alliances fracture faster than a Bushtucker Trial rope bridge. ITV bosses, riding high on the main series’ consistent top ratings – pulling in over 10 million viewers per episode in recent years – are banking on nostalgia and novelty to dominate the November airwaves once more.
Launch Date and Broadcast Schedule
Mark your calendars for Monday, 16 November 2026, when I’m a Celebrity… All Stars officially launches on ITV1 at 9pm. The series will run for an electrifying three weeks, culminating in the live final on Friday, 4 December. Daily episodes will air from Sunday to Thursday, with the iconic You’re Fired! spin-off companion show hosted by Joel Dommett following immediately after on ITV2. This packed schedule ensures fans won’t miss a beat of the jungle intrigue, complete with late-night extras for those craving more.
Filming kicks off in early November at the show’s spiritual home, Australia’s lush Gwrych Castle in North Wales having been a pandemic-era substitute, but producers confirmed a full return Down Under for 2026. Expect the classic camp setup amid the Queensland rainforest, with helicopters ferrying stars to their watery arrivals. ITV’s scheduling aligns perfectly with the main series tradition, dodging early Christmas specials while maximising pre-holiday hype. Viewers can stream every moment on ITVX, with catch-up options and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage to fuel watercooler chats.
The All-Star Cast: A Roll-Call of Jungle Legends
This year’s line-up is a glittering who’s who of past campmates, blending winners, runners-up, and wildcard warriors. Producers have curated 12 celebrities – six men, six women – for maximum fireworks, drawing from the show’s 20-series history. Here’s the confirmed roster, announced in a glitzy reveal on This Morning last month:
- Jordan North (Winner, 2020): The radio DJ who conquered his fears returns as the people’s champion, promising to defend his crown with his trademark humour and heart.
- Giovanna Fletcher (Winner, 2020): The podcaster and author, fresh off motherhood milestones, eyes redemption after a close shave in trials.
- Jacqueline Jossa (Winner, 2019): EastEnders star and family favourite, ready to trade soap sets for snake pits once more.
- Joe Swash (Winner, 2008): The ultimate show veteran, now a TV presenter dad, brings insider knowledge and infectious energy.
- Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo (Runner-up, 2017): Made in Chelsea posh girl turned political hopeful, her wit and work ethic made her a standout.
- Jacqueline McDonald (aka Lady C, 2015): The barrister and royal biographer whose no-nonsense attitude sparked endless camp chaos.
- James McVey (Third Place, 2019): The One Direction guitarist, whose boyband charm and trial tenacity earned him legions of fans.
- Scarlett Moffatt (Winner, 2016): Gogglebox queen turned TV host, famed for her Geordie grit and Bushtucker feasts.
- EMF’s Jake Quickenden (Runner-up, 2014): Singer and soap star, whose abs and affability lit up the camp.
- Vicky McClure (Fifth Place, 2014): Line of Duty actress, bringing Northern steel to the celebrity scrum.
- Joel Dommett (Quitter, 2016): Now the You’re Fired! host, he swaps sofa for swamp in a meta twist.
- Olivia Attwood (Sixth Place, 2017): Love Island firebrand and podcast powerhouse, poised for revenge after medical exit.
This eclectic mix spans soap stars, musicians, reality royalty, and even a barrister, ensuring clashes of personality that could rival any WWE ring. Insiders reveal casting prioritised ‘jungle chemistry’ – think Toff’s diplomacy versus Lady C’s barbs – with diversity in age (from 20s to 50s) and background to broaden appeal. Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly return as hosts, their banter sharper than ever post-Ant’s sobriety journey.
Production Insights: Bigger Budget, Bolder Challenges
ITV has pumped an estimated £20 million into the 2026 All Stars, funding upgraded trials with VR elements and eco-friendly sets amid Australia’s climate pledges. Location scouts confirm the return to Murwillumbah, with new camp facilities including a ‘luxury lair’ for VIP twists. Producers, led by executive Charlotte Liew, emphasise ‘All Stars evolution’: more power to viewers via app-voted immunity and camp leader elections.
Challenges faced during production include stricter biosecurity post-COVID and talent scheduling around strikes, but the cast’s enthusiasm – Jordan North called it ‘the ultimate reunion’ in a Radio 1 interview – has smoothed the path. Expect celebrity cameos in trials, from past hosts to music legends, amplifying the nostalgic pull.
The Biggest Twists: What Producers Have in Store
All Stars thrives on subverting expectations, and 2026 delivers the most audacious twists yet. Here are the headline-grabbers, leaked via industry reports and host teases:
Double Elimination Power Plays
From night five, viewers vote not just for eviction but to grant ‘immunity idols’ – hidden advantages that shield holders from trials or votes. Past winners like Joe Swash could wield these strategically, flipping camp hierarchies overnight.
Secret Alliances and Traitor Votes
A mid-series ‘Traitor Twist’ sees one celebrity secretly voting against their own alliance, revealed in a dramatic campfire ceremony. Inspired by The Traitors crossover success, it pits trust against treachery, with Georgia Toffolo tipped as a mastermind.
Legacy Trials and Hall of Fame Duel
New ‘Legacy Challenges’ pit stars against their own past records – Jordan North facing his 11-star triumph. The finale features a ‘Hall of Fame Duel’, where the final three compete in a best-of-three trial gauntlet, blending physical, mental, and endurance tests.
Crossover Guests and Public Wildcards
Weekly ‘wildcard’ entries from main series alumni, voted in by the public, shake up dynamics. Rumours swirl of surprise drops like Nadine Dorries or Matt Hancock for controversy. Plus, a ‘family feud’ trial pairing celebs with relatives.
These innovations build on series 20’s power couple twists and series 10’s zip-wire entries, aiming to eclipse 12 million viewers. Analysts predict higher engagement via social media, with #ImACelebAllStars already trending.
Why All Stars Matters in Reality TV’s Landscape
In an era of fleeting formats, I’m a Celebrity All Stars taps into legacy power. The main series has spawned 20 winners and countless careers – from Kerry Katona’s comeback to Harry Redknapp’s punditry. All Stars celebrates this, analysing fame’s fragility amid crocs and critters. Culturally, it mirrors Britain’s love for schadenfreude and second chances, boosted by diverse representation post-2020 reckonings.
Box office for TV: Expect sponsor tie-ins from Boots and supermarket feasts, with ripple effects on streaming wars. Netflix’s reality boom underscores ITV’s grip, but All Stars must innovate to fend off The Traitors rivalry.
Predictions and Fan Theories
Early odds favour Jordan North at 3/1 to win, with Jacqueline Jossa at 5/1 for her trial prowess. Bold calls: Joel Dommett quits again (irony alert), Lady C sparks a camp coup, and Toff orchestrates the traitor twist. Fan forums buzz with ‘super alliance’ theories between winners, but history shows underdogs triumph – remember Gino D’Acampo’s chef charm?
Box office forecasts hit 11.5 million average, per BARB trends, with social peaks during trials. Will it spawn a biennial format? Producers hint yes, if ratings soar.
Conclusion: Jungle Fever Awaits
I’m a Celebrity… All Stars 2026 isn’t just a reunion; it’s a high-stakes reckoning of reality TV royalty. From 16 November, tune in for launch drama, cast chemistry, and twists that will have Twitter ablaze. Whether rooting for redemption or relishing rivalries, this series cements the jungle’s throne. Grab the popcorn – or should we say witchetty grubs? – and let the Bushtucker battles begin.