'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' looks set to remain in Wales this year after the Australian government admitted borders could stay shut until 2022.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly

A prediction in the country's federal budget papers this week warned international travel "is expected to remain low through to mid-2022", which could scupper any potential of the reality show returning Down Under later this year.

The budget papers read: "Inbound and outbound international travel is expected to remain low through to mid-2022, after which gradual recovery in international tourism is assumed to occur."

And in a Facebook post on May 8th, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison admitted the international borders will "only open when it is safe to do so".

He wrote: "International borders will only open when it is safe to do so. We still have a long way to go, and there are still many uncertainties ahead. Australians are living like in few countries around the world today. We will continue to do everything we can to work together prevent a third wave and roll out our vaccination programme. And, as always, we will continue to listen to the medical advice and make decisions in the best health and economic interests of all Australians. (sic)"

This comes after 'I'm A Celebrity' co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly revealed this week it is "still all up in the air" about whether the show would take place in Australia this year.

The pair admitted show bosses are in talks with officials Down Under to see if the 21st series of the reality show will return to New South Wales after the programme's 20th series was filmed at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Wales, last year due to coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions preventing the pair and the production team from heading to Australia.

Dec said: "It's still all up in the air at the minute.

"People are having conversations with Australia to see if they'll let us in, and to see if that's going to work."

However, if the pair cannot film Down Under then they will "gladly" return to Wales for another run.

Dec said: "If not, we've got a lovely alternative to go back to Wales, which we had a great time there.

"We had a really lovely series and the people of North Wales made us feel very welcome. We'd gladly go back there.

"But we'll see whether it's Oz or Wales, we're not quite sure yet."

Ant added: "Having the castle as a backdrop really helped with the challenges and the reference points, and I think all the celebs who were in there absolutely loved it.

"So we would happily go back to Wales if we had to."

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