More than 40 security guards are protecting the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! campmates at their new Welsh base, MailOnline can reveal.
The army of guards have surrounded haunted Gwrych Castle – the show’s new home after relocating from Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic – and have closed nearby roads in preparation of the show’s launch on Sunday.
The ring of steel includes wardens in high-vis jackets at the entrances which have been sealed with wire fences.
High-level: More than 40 security guards are protecting the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! campmates at their new Welsh base, MailOnline can reveal
MailOnline can also reveal that guards with night-vision goggles have even been placed inside the forest surrounding the camp.
Paths leading into the 4,000-acre estate have been blocked including those near Emily’s Tower which is above the Grade I listed 19th century castle.
Pavements in front of the main entrance have been blocked off to stop people congregating and a camp site and Manorfan Farm Park next to the castle have also been closed.
The ten celebrities including Olympic athlete Sir Mo Farah, 37, funnyman Shane Ritchie, 56, and Corrie legend Bev Callard, 63, are being kept safe by staff believed to be former members of the military.
Shake-up: The army of guards have surrounded haunted Gwrych Castle and have closed nearby roads in preparation of the show’s launch on Sunday
Changes: North Wales is the ITV1 show’s new home after relocating from Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic
Secure: The ring of steel includes wardens in high-vis jackets at the entrances which have been sealed with wire fences
Impressive: MailOnline can also reveal that guards with night-vision goggles have even been placed inside the forest surrounding the camp
No access: Paths leading into the 4,000-acre estate have been blocked including those near Emily’s Tower which is above the castle
Locals who approached the castle in Abergele, North Wales were challenged by dozens of security guards put in place for the 20th series of the survival series.
Richard Hughes, 32, told us: ‘People are being asked what they are doing. Some of them look like proper close protection security with night goggles and everything.
‘My mate got talking to one and he said: ”We like it here – it makes a change from guarding princes in Saudia Arabia”.
‘I think that means they’re ex-military. I don’t think anyone’s getting inside the castle or near any of the stars that’s for sure.’
Precautions: Pavements in front of the main entrance have been blocked off to stop people congregating and a camp site and Manorfan Farm Park next to the castle have also been closed
The best of the best: The ten celebs – including Olympic athlete Sir Mo Farah, 37, and funnyman Shane Ritchie, 56 – are being kept safe by staff believed to be ex-military
Upcoming: The series will start tonight at 9pm and a handful of vans drove in for last-minute preparations
Mother-of-one Sian Thomas, 26, added: ‘I tried to get into the grounds recently as I was walking my dog but was stopped.
‘You can see security guards everywhere even as you walk around it. There are even plain clothes security as you walk in fields nearby keeping an eye on it.
‘Some people even think there are some ex-SAS people but who knows. I’d be more concerned by the ghosts myself’.
Details: I think that means they’re ex-military. I don’t think anyone’s getting inside the castle or near any of the stars that’s for sure’, a local told us
Not available: Locals who approached the castle in Abergele, North Wales were challenged by dozens of security guards put in place for the 20th series of the survival series
‘You can see security guards everywhere even as you walk around it. There are even plain clothes security as you walk in fields nearby keeping an eye on it’, another added
Spooky! Many believe Gwrych Castle is haunted by the White Lady who is thought to be previous owner, Winifred, the Countess of Dundonald, who died in 1924
Many believe Gwrych Castle is haunted by the White Lady who is thought to be previous owner, Winifred, the Countess of Dundonald, who died in 1924.
She has been seen at the windows and it is thought she is angry with her husband who she cut off in her will but who then bought back the castle and stripped it of her possessions and sell its contents.
Locals believe she also fell out with caretaker Bill Price, who would lock up the library at night only to find it opened the next morning.
New beginnings: A rainbow was seen over the Grade I listed 19th century castle hours before the show kicked off
Chilly: Conditions are the most bleak that celebrities have faced in the show’s history with crumbling sleeping quarters equipped with rickety iron framed beds and hammocks
There also rooms where dogs refuse to enter, including a room where the Countess’ spiritual healer is thought to have held seances.
The series will start tonight at 9pm and a handful of vans have been seen driving in for last-minute preparations.
Conditions are the most bleak that celebrities have faced in the show’s history with crumbling sleeping quarters equipped with rickety iron framed beds and hammocks.
The ten celebrities were driven into the camp on Friday night after completing their first challenges.
Shocked! Campmate Jessica Plummer was horrified as she entered the rusted and unclean bathroom which they will have to use for the duration of the show
Radio I DJ Jordan North, 30, was sick and Jessica Plumber, 28, looked terrified as they did abseiling off a cliff in nearby Anglesey.
The weather has not been kind to them since their arrival at their Welsh home with torrential rain and high winds.
Storm conditions are forecast tonight with rain and winds gusting up to 48mph as the celebrities compete in terrifying challenges in the early hours of Monday morning.
This is hell: Viewers will watch on Sunday’s show the ten terrified celebrities arrive at The Gates To Hell- a huge gatehouse-like building in front of the derelict castle