# I'm a Celebrity... South Africa series 2
**I'm a Celebrity... South Africa series 2** is the second season of the ITV all-star spin-off of *I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!*, in which former campmates from earlier series return to compete in trials in the South African wilderness. ITV confirmed the series on 8 September 2025, with [Ant McPartlin](https://www.edgepedia.org/ant-mcpartlin) and [Declan Donnelly](https://www.edgepedia.org/declan-donnelly) returning as hosts, and the season aired in April 2026.[1](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa) Its defining change from the first series was a live grand final, in which viewers rather than the pre-recorded format decided who was crowned the "ultimate legend 2026".[1](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa) [Adam Thomas](https://www.edgepedia.org/adam-thomas) was named the winner.[2](https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/culture/adam-thomas-jimmy-bullard-sinner-b2964700.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Broadcast | ITV1, STV and ITVX; pre-recorded episodes from Monday 6 April 2026, nightly at around 9 pm[3](https://www.itv.com/news/2026-03-09/mo-farah-and-gemma-collins-among-stars-to-return-for-im-a-celeb-south-africa) |
| Hosts | Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly[1](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa) |
| Filming | Kruger National Park, South Africa, in September 2025[4](https://www.tvguide.co.uk/articles/where-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-is-filmed-why-it-isnt-live-and-when-it-was-recorded/) |
| Campmates | Twelve returning celebrities, including Sir Mo Farah, Harry Redknapp, Gemma Collins and Scarlett Moffatt[5](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/presscentre/media-packs/im-celebrity-south-africa) |
| Format change | For the first time in the spin-off, the public crowned the winner in a live grand final from London[1](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa) |
| Final | Live grand final on Friday 24 April 2026, in two parts at 7:30 pm and 10 pm BST[6](https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/how-to-watch-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-2026) |
| Winner | Adam Thomas[2](https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/culture/adam-thomas-jimmy-bullard-sinner-b2964700.html) |
## Confirmation and production
ITV announced the second series on 8 September 2025, describing the show as "the all-star version of the iconic *I'm A Celebrity…* format" that brings back some of the most memorable campmates from earlier series for new trials and challenges in the South African wilderness. Katie Rawcliffe, ITV's Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning, said the first series had been "a true celebration of the show's history" and that the second would have "the audience crown the winner during a live final for the first time".[1](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa)
The series is produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of [ITV Studios](https://www.edgepedia.org/itv-studios), in a co-production with Mitre Studios, and ITV Studios handles distribution.[1](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa) **Filming and setting.** Unlike the main Australian series, which is broadcast live each night across an 11-hour time difference, the South Africa spin-off is pre-recorded. The 2026 series was filmed in September 2025, several months before transmission, at [Kruger National Park](https://www.edgepedia.org/kruger-national-park), one of the largest game reserves in Africa.[4](https://www.tvguide.co.uk/articles/where-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-is-filmed-why-it-isnt-live-and-when-it-was-recorded/) The show had originally been conceived as a backup in case ITV could not film the main series in Australia under Covid restrictions.[4](https://www.tvguide.co.uk/articles/where-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-is-filmed-why-it-isnt-live-and-when-it-was-recorded/)
## Cast
Twelve former campmates returned for the series:[5](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/presscentre/media-packs/im-celebrity-south-africa)
- Adam Thomas, actor and TV presenter
- [Ashley Roberts](https://www.edgepedia.org/ashley-roberts), Heart radio DJ
- [Scarlett Moffatt](https://www.edgepedia.org/scarlett-moffatt), TV presenter
- [David Haye](https://www.edgepedia.org/david-haye), former champion boxer
- Beverley Callard, Coronation Street actor
- Seann Walsh, comedian
- Sinitta, singer
- Sir Mo Farah, retired Olympic distance runner
- Gemma Collins, TV personality
- Craig Charles, actor and DJ
- Jimmy Bullard, former footballer
- Harry Redknapp, football manager
Most had strong histories with the main show. Scarlett Moffatt was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2016 and [Harry Redknapp](https://www.edgepedia.org/harry-redknapp) won the 2018 series; David Haye reached the 2012 final, while [Jimmy Bullard](https://www.edgepedia.org/jimmy-bullard) was the first campmate voted off in 2014.[3](https://www.itv.com/news/2026-03-09/mo-farah-and-gemma-collins-among-stars-to-return-for-im-a-celeb-south-africa) Moffatt and Redknapp were noted as two of the series winners to have returned, with Haye, Roberts and Adam Thomas all having been finalists in their original appearances.[7](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/streaming/watch-im-a-celeb-south-africa-2026-free)
## Format and broadcast
The pre-recorded series began on Monday 6 April 2026, airing nightly at around 9 pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX.[3](https://www.itv.com/news/2026-03-09/mo-farah-and-gemma-collins-among-stars-to-return-for-im-a-celeb-south-africa) • [6](https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/how-to-watch-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-2026) Because the camp footage was recorded in advance, eliminations through most of the run were not decided by viewers at home; instead the campmates had to choose from the weakest two performers in the challenges.[7](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/streaming/watch-im-a-celeb-south-africa-2026-free) In the first series this head-to-head structure, in which the loser of a trial left camp, had been described by Ant McPartlin as "quite brutal".[4](https://www.tvguide.co.uk/articles/where-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-is-filmed-why-it-isnt-live-and-when-it-was-recorded/)
The 2026 run featured split camps, late arrivals and "rival kingdoms", alongside Bushtucker Trials.[8](https://www.techradar.com/how-to-watch/tv-shows/im-a-celebrity-south-africa-s2-free) **The live final.** The decisive change was the grand final on Friday 24 April 2026, broadcast live from London in two parts, at 7:30 pm and 10 pm BST, with the public voting for the winner.[1](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa) • [6](https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/how-to-watch-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-2026) The final four were Sir Mo Farah, Harry Redknapp, Craig Charles, and Adam Thomas; Scarlett Moffatt was the last celebrity eliminated after the "Keep Your Eye on the Ball" survival trial, and [Beverley Callard](https://www.edgepedia.org/beverley-callard)'s earlier withdrawal ruled her out of appearing in person at the final. The final five had completed the Celebrity Cyclone, the franchise's best-known physical challenge, earlier in that episode.[8](https://www.techradar.com/how-to-watch/tv-shows/im-a-celebrity-south-africa-s2-free)
A companion series, *I'm A Celebrity...Unpacked*, returned as a visual podcast hosted by [Sam Thompson](https://www.edgepedia.org/sam-thompson-tv-personality) and Kemi Rodgers, available on ITVX, Spotify and YouTube, with a live show on ITV2 and ITVX immediately after the ITV1 finale.[9](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/sites/default/files/2026-03/I%27m%20a%20Celebrity...%20South%20Africa%20Press%20Pack.pdf)
## Reception
The launch drew mixed reviews. Viewer complaints collected in the British press included the frequency of advertising breaks and a sense that the show "felt staged", with some suggesting the format felt less natural because the returning celebrities already knew how the show worked.[10](https://www.entertainmentdaily.com/tv/all-complaints-as-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-launches-to-mixed-reviews/) The Independent reported the series as controversial, describing Adam Thomas's crowning under the headline "Adam Thomas crowned I'm A Celebrity… South Africa winner in controversial series".[2](https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/culture/adam-thomas-jimmy-bullard-sinner-b2964700.html) On IMDb the series as a whole holds a weighted rating of 6.7/10 from 136 votes.[11](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27498421/ratings/)
**Distribution.** The series is shown only in the UK: it has no US broadcaster, and the UK edition does not air in Australia, which has its own separate local version of *I'm a Celebrity* filmed in South Africa.[6](https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/how-to-watch-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-2026) • [8](https://www.techradar.com/how-to-watch/tv-shows/im-a-celebrity-south-africa-s2-free)
## Context with series 1
The first series aired in 2023, having been filmed in July 2022, and featured returning campmates including Amir Khan, Gillian McKeith, Joe Swash, Carol Vorderman, Fatima Whitbread and [Jordan Banjo](https://www.edgepedia.org/jordan-banjo) competing for the title of the first "I'm A Celebrity... Legend". [Myleene Klass](https://www.edgepedia.org/myleene-klass) won that series; her victory was decided by trials rather than a public vote.[1](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa) • [4](https://www.tvguide.co.uk/articles/where-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-is-filmed-why-it-isnt-live-and-when-it-was-recorded/) • [12](https://www.itv.com/news/2025-09-08/all-star-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-confirmed-for-second-season) Critics of the first series noted the absence of a public vote and public interaction as the main things separating it from the flagship show.[13](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/apr/24/im-a-celebrity-south-africa-review-ant-and-dec-serve-up-a-skeleton) The live public vote introduced in series 2 addressed exactly that gap, moving the spin-off closer to the format of the main series at the final stage.[1](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa)
## References
1. [ITV confirms second series of I'm A Celebrity… South Africa, ITV Press Centre (8 September 2025)](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-confirms-second-series-im-celebrity-south-africa)
2. [Adam Thomas crowned I'm A Celebrity… South Africa winner in controversial series, The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/culture/adam-thomas-jimmy-bullard-sinner-b2964700.html)
3. [Mo Farah and Gemma Collins among stars to return for I'm A Celeb South Africa, ITV News (9 March 2026)](https://www.itv.com/news/2026-03-09/mo-farah-and-gemma-collins-among-stars-to-return-for-im-a-celeb-south-africa)
4. [Where I'm A Celebrity South Africa is filmed, why it isn't live and when it was recorded, TV Guide UK (7 April 2026)](https://www.tvguide.co.uk/articles/where-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-is-filmed-why-it-isnt-live-and-when-it-was-recorded/)
5. [I'm a Celebrity... South Africa media pack, ITV Press Centre (30 March 2026)](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/presscentre/media-packs/im-celebrity-south-africa)
6. [How To Watch I'm a Celebrity... South Africa 2026 Online, CinemaBlend (24 April 2026)](https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/how-to-watch-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-2026)
7. [How to watch 'I'm A Celeb South Africa' 2026 for FREE - season 2 cast, schedule, Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/streaming/watch-im-a-celeb-south-africa-2026-free)
8. [How to watch I'm A Celebrity 2026 online for free - stream the All-stars spin-off FINAL tonight, TechRadar (24 April 2026)](https://www.techradar.com/how-to-watch/tv-shows/im-a-celebrity-south-africa-s2-free)
9. [I'm A Celebrity... South Africa Press Pack (March 2026), ITV Press Centre](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/sites/default/files/2026-03/I%27m%20a%20Celebrity...%20South%20Africa%20Press%20Pack.pdf)
10. [5 complaints as I'm A Celebrity South Africa launches to mixed reviews, Entertainment Daily (7 April 2026)](https://www.entertainmentdaily.com/tv/all-complaints-as-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-launches-to-mixed-reviews/)
11. [I'm a Celebrity... South Africa (TV Series 2023– ) - Ratings, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27498421/ratings/)
12. [All-star I'm A Celebrity… South Africa confirmed for second season, ITV News (8 September 2025)](https://www.itv.com/news/2025-09-08/all-star-im-a-celebrity-south-africa-confirmed-for-second-season)
13. [I'm a Celebrity ... South Africa review - Ant and Dec serve up a skeleton, The Guardian (24 April 2023)](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/apr/24/im-a-celebrity-south-africa-review-ant-and-dec-serve-up-a-skeleton)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Seasons, episodes, and installments › Screen seasons › Culinary, physical, and other skill competition seasons › Racing and adventure competition seasons*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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