I'm A Celeb When Does It Start

So, picture this: it’s a rainy Tuesday evening. I’m sprawled on the sofa, mindlessly scrolling, when my phone buzzes—a mate sends a meme of a celebrity covered in bugs. My first thought? Not “ew,” but “Wait, when does I’m a Celeb start again?” Because, let’s be honest, that jungle fever hits like clockwork every year, and missing the launch is a cardinal sin of British telly-watching.

You know the drill. The countdown begins, the rumours spiral, and suddenly everyone’s an expert on who’s brave enough to eat a kangaroo testicle. But if you’re like me, you’ve already lost track of the date. So, let’s cut the suspense: I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! typically kicks off in mid-to-late November. Ant and Dec will be back, the castle will loom, and the first batch of campmates will look way too optimistic.

Why November feels like jungle o’clock

ITV has been pretty consistent lately, aiming for a Sunday launch around the third week of November. Tradition, baby. It’s that sweet spot when the UK weather turns properly miserable, and we all crave a bit of Australian sun—or, you know, a Welsh castle pretending to be Australia. (Side note: doesn’t the fake rain in the castle just make you appreciate your dry living room a little more?)

The producers know we’re all desperate for a distraction from Christmas shopping and dark evenings. So they dangle the lineup like a carrot, and we bite—hard. Last year, the launch date was November 19th, and I’d bet my last dollar this year will be around the same window. Keep an eye on ITV’s socials because they love a good tease.

What about the time slot? Don’t be late!

Here’s the thing: you can’t just roll in at 9:30 PM and expect to catch the first Bushtucker Trial. The launch show is always extended, usually starting around 9:00 PM on ITV and ITVX. But here’s a pro tip from someone who’s been burned: set a reminder for 8:45 PM. Why? Because Ant and Dec will do a cheeky little pre-show bit, and you don’t want to miss their banter while you’re fetching snacks.

Trust me, I learned the hard way. I once tuned in two minutes late and missed the first celebrity walking across the bridge. My group chat did not let me forget it. “You missed the woman who cried over a spider before she even entered camp,” they said. Rude, but fair.

The lineup countdown: our favourite guessing game

Before the launch, the internet goes feral with speculation. Who’s the washed-up soap star? Which reality TV villain is seeking redemption? And, most importantly, which contestant will be a secret absolute legend? That’s the magic of I’m a Celeb—you never know who’ll surprise you. (Remember when the tennis umpire became a national treasure?)

This year, I’m already seeing whispers of a few footballers and a comedian who’s too loud on Twitter. But honestly, half the fun is being wrong about everyone. So, keep refreshing the gossip pages, but take it all with a grain of salt—or a bucket of rice, since that’s all they eat in camp.

How to not miss the announcement

If you’re a chaos gremlin like me, you’ll want to mute every spoiler account on October 31st. The official lineup drop usually happens about a week before the launch, but ITV loves a slow roll-out. One day it’s a silhouette, the next it’s a pair of trainers. It’s agony. My advice? Follow the I’m a Celebrity Instagram page and turn on notifications. You’ll thank me when you see the first face reveal before your mates do.

Also, set a calendar alert for the third Sunday of November—that’s the sweet spot. Write it in Sharpie, tattoo it on your forehead, whatever works. Because the moment that helicopter lands and some celebrity takes a deep breath, you want to be there, ready to judge their footwear choices.

What to prepare for the big day

Alright, let’s get tactical. The launch show is two hours long—minimum. That means you need supplies: snacks, a blanket, and a fully charged phone for group chat reactions. I also recommend a whiteboard to track which campmate you’ll be stanning and which one you’ll hate by episode three. (Spoiler: you’ll flip on at least two of them.)

Oh, and be prepared for the inevitable emotional manipulation. ITV knows how to tug your heartstrings. One minute you’re laughing at a celebrity gagging on a fish eye, the next you’re tearing up over a letter from home. It’s a rollercoaster, and you can’t get off. So grab a tissue box, pour a stiff drink, and settle in.

Final thought: the countdown is real

So, when does I’m a Celeb start? Soon, my friend. Very soon. Check ITV’s official site for the exact date, but mark your calendar for mid-November and start warming up your sarcasm muscles. Because in a few weeks, we’ll all be shouting “Get it down ya!” at our TV screens, pretending we’d last longer than five minutes in that jungle ourselves. (We wouldn’t. We’d be crying in the first trial.)

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to practice my disgusted face for the inevitable bug-eating montage. See you in the camp—I mean, on the sofa.