There’s a special tingle in the air for the 2026 season, and it’s not just from the Australian humidity. This year marks a huge milestone: the show’s 25th anniversary in the UK. That’s a quarter of a century of creepy crawlies and Ant & Dec’s cheeky smiles!
Producers are definitely cooking up something big. Imagine a birthday party, but with more spiders and fewer balloons. We might see a special “All Stars” twist, or a challenge that makes the old ones look like a picnic in the park.
Another reason to get excited? The rumour mill is already spinning like a washing machine full of gossip. Names like Stacey Solomon, Joe Swash, and even a few surprise Love Island stars are being thrown into the virtual jungle campfire. Who wouldn’t want to see that chaos?
So, When Exactly Should You Mark Your Calendar?
If we look at the last few years, the pattern is as predictable as a crocodile’s smile. The 2026 series started on November 17th. So, for 2026, you can almost guarantee the first episode will land right around that same weekend. Think Sunday, November 16th or Monday, November 17th.
I'm A Celebrity 2026 Start Date | Naked Grapefruit
ITV usually makes the official announcement about four weeks before, which means we’ll probably get a solid date in late October. Until then, we’re left guessing, which is honestly half the fun. Isn’t it exciting to have a little mystery in our lives?
Compare it to waiting for a new season of your favourite series on Netflix. You know it’s coming, but the anticipation makes the first episode taste ten times better. The jungle is basically our annual summer blockbuster, but for winter.
