Entertainment
I’m A Celebrity 2021: Friends and family reunion axed over Covid fears
Fans are will miss this popular segment for a second year (Picture: PA)
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! bosses have scrapped the friends and family reunion again this year over Covid fears.
The heart-warming segment, which shows the semi-finalists getting a surprise visit from their loved ones, has been axed for a second year.
The brief embrace usually happens as the series draws to a close and remains popular with viewers, especially after fans were left teary-eyed when Harry Redknapp reunited with his wife Sandra in 2018.
Producers were desperate to have a friend or family member enter Gwrych Castle, however they’ve decided against it this year due to the ongoing pandemic.
A source told The Sun: ‘Filming a TV show of this size in a pandemic is a nightmare, so ITV have had to trim the fat where possible.
‘Sadly, despite it being really popular, they’ve decided that the friends and family segment just had to go.’
Harry reuniting with Sandra melted viewer hearts (Picture: Rex Features)
Queen of the jungle Jacqueline Jossa celebrated her win with husband Dan Osborne (Picture: Rex Features)
A spokesperson for ITV, confirmed the news to Metro.co.uk but thankfully the 10 remaining celebs don’t have much longer to go before the programme ends – with the finale taking place next Sunday.
There’s still a week left to go and a lot can happen in that time, but, as it stands, Ladbrokes have footballer David Ginola as the favourite to win.
He is closely followed by Emmerdale’s Danny Miller and former Saturdays singer and TV personality Frankie Bridge who are joint second.
More: I’m A Celebrity
From Richard Madeley’s surprise exit from the show after a mystery illness to Storm Arwen forcing the show to cut the live show, it’s safe to say this year’s series has had viewers on their toes for the first time in its history.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Arlene Phillips was the latest celebrity to leave the castle, after receiving the least public votes.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues on Monday at 9pm on ITV.
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