When Does Im A Celebrity Start 2026

Right, let’s cut through the jungle vines and get to the point. You’re here because you’ve already started planning your 2026 pyjama schedule, and you need the exact date for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! I get it—life is chaos, but at least the jungle is predictable (except for the spiders).

When Does the Jungle Fever Start?

ITV hasn’t officially stamped the 2026 calendar yet, but we can be 99% certain it will land in mid-to-late November 2026. The show has started on a Sunday in November every year since 2015 (except for that one pandemic hiccup). So, mark your diaries for Sunday, 15th or 22nd November 2026—just don’t blame me if your boss catches you crying over a Bushtucker Trial.

The Real Science of Anticipation

Here’s a shocking fact: I’m a Celebrity actually started in 2002, which means by 2026 it will be 24 years old. That’s old enough to rent a car, get a mortgage, and have a mid-life crisis—just like the contestants. The show runs for about three weeks, so if it starts in November, you’ll be watching the winner eat a kangaroo anus in a gold jacket right around early December.

The Contestants (Or: Who’s Ready to Eat a Testicle?)

The rumour mill is already churning, and I’ve heard absolutely nothing official, but that won’t stop me from guessing. Expect a mix of: a washed-up soap star, a reality TV villain we all love to hate, a comedian who swears too much, and a retired athlete who thinks "surviving" means winning Wimbledon. Mark my words: one of them will cry on Day 1 because a leaf touched them.

Why You Should Care About the Date—Even Now

Because booking your annual leave to watch a celebrity shriek at a cockroach is a legitimate life goal. Also, if you’re a betting person, the odds on "first contestant to quit" are released in October. Pro tip: don’t bet on the tough guy. He always breaks first.

One I’m A Celebrity 2026 Star’s Rumoured Contract Has Leaked

A Surprising Historical Fact

Did you know that in the 2017 series, a contestant actually ate a live spider and then said it tasted like “a bad egg mixed with regret”? The show has a dedicated medical team on standby for food poisoning and emotional breakdowns. So yes, you are watching grown adults suffer for a crown made of twigs.

The Bottom Line (And a Joke)

Until ITV stops playing hide-and-seek with the 2026 schedule, your best bet is to set a reminder for October 2026 when they finally announce it. In the meantime, practise your survival skills: learn how to open a packet of crisps without using your hands. Trust me, it’s harder than you think. And remember: I’m a Celebrity isn’t just a show—it’s a national event where we all pretend we’re not jealous of people who get to flee from snakes.