There’s a specific kind of TV anticipation that only a jungle-themed reality show can deliver. If you’ve been searching for the exact start date of the all-stars edition, here’s what you need to know: I’m a Celebrity… South Africa Series 2 premieres on Monday 6 April 2026 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with the launch episode running for a full 90 minutes.

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Show Title: I’m a Celebrity… South Africa (Series 2) ·
Network: ITV1 and ITVX ·
Start Date: April 6, 2026 ·
Start Time: 9pm (UK time) ·
Episode Duration: 60–90 minutes ·
Format: All-stars showdown

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact full prize details for the 2026 all-stars winner
  • Daily elimination results (not yet aired as of February 2026)
  • Precise finale date (ITV News cites 24 April 2026, Freely cites 25 April 2026)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Eight key facts, one pattern: the 2026 all-stars edition is a pre-recorded competition filmed months before broadcast, with only the finale going live. Here’s the breakdown:

Fact Value Source
Show Title I’m a Celebrity… South Africa Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)
Series 2 (All-Stars) Freely (TV guide)
Network ITV1 Radio Times (TV listings authority)
Start Date April 6, 2026 Radio Times (TV listings authority)
Time 9pm Express (UK showbiz coverage)
Streaming ITVX TechRadar (streaming guide)
Hosts Ant & Dec (likely) ITV News (official broadcaster)
Filmed Yes, pre-recorded in South Africa The Sun Ireland (entertainment news)
The upshot

Viewers in the UK get a three-week run of jungle drama that’s already locked and loaded. The trade-off: no live daily eliminations means the producers control the narrative, not the audience.

Is there going to be an I’m a Celebrity in 2026?

Official announcement from ITV

Yes — the show is confirmed for 2026. ITV News (official broadcaster) announced on 8 September 2025 that the second season of I’m a Celebrity… South Africa would air on ITV1, STV and ITVX. The series is a spin-off, not the main UK jungle show, and brings back former celebrities from previous UK seasons.

All-stars theme confirmed

The 2026 edition is an all-stars format. ITV News (official broadcaster) confirmed that campmates are drawn from past I’m a Celebrity series, making it a reunion-style competition rather than a fresh cast.

The paradox

The show is called “South Africa” but the live finale happens in London — meaning the audience votes on elimination order without seeing any real-time jungle action.

The implication: this isn’t the regular November jungle series. It’s a separate event designed to capitalise on fan nostalgia.

Has I’m a Celebrity South Africa 2026 already been filmed?

Filming timeline

Filming for the second chapter of I’m a Celebrity… South Africa took place in September 2025 at Kruger National Park in South Africa. The Sun Ireland (entertainment news) reported that production was completed months before the broadcast window.

Pre-recorded nature of the series

The series is pre-recorded, typical for I’m a Celebrity specials. TechRadar (streaming guide) confirmed that no live episodes are scheduled for the jungle portion — the only live broadcast is the grand finale from London.

Bottom line: The series is already in the can. Camp experiences and eliminations are fixed before the first episode airs. Viewers watching the launch: don’t expect live drama. Viewers following elimination results: treat the leaks as plausible.

The pattern: pre-recorded series reduce audience engagement but allow producers to craft a polished narrative.

When does I’m A Celebrity start 2026?

Exact start date and time

The series premieres on Monday 6 April 2026 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Radio Times (TV listings authority) confirmed the launch date, and TechRadar (streaming guide) reported that the launch episode runs from 9pm to 10.30pm — a 90-minute bumper start.

Episode schedule

Subsequent episodes are expected to air nightly at 9pm on weeknights. Radio Times (TV listings authority) said episodes air weeknights at the same time unless otherwise stated. The series runs for three weeks, consistent with the 2025 season pattern.

What to watch

ITV has a history of moving the schedule for live sports clashes. UK viewers should check local ITV1 listings or ITVX schedules on the day of broadcast to catch any time changes.

The catch: the series is pre-recorded, so there’s no reason for schedule disruption — but the live finale date is where things get murky.

Who are the contestants on I’m a Celebrity 2026?

Full lineup

The contestants are former I’m a Celebrity participants from the UK series. Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference) lists 12 returning celebrities, and Entertainment Daily (UK showbiz coverage) published the full lineup at launch.

Notable returning celebrities

Each contestant is a past celebrity who has previously appeared on the show. ITV Watch (official broadcaster) maintains an episode page listing participants as they are eliminated.

Bottom line: ITV chose a nostalgia play. UK viewers who watched previous series will recognise faces from past seasons. New viewers: the cast is handpicked for drama history, not fresh personalities.

The implication: ITV’s nostalgia play may appeal to long-time fans but risks alienating viewers seeking fresh faces.

Where can I watch I’m a Celebrity… South Africa 2026?

Broadcast channels

The series airs live on ITV1 in the UK. Express (UK showbiz coverage) confirmed the 9pm broadcast slot on ITV1.

Streaming options

Streaming is available on ITVX. TechRadar (streaming guide) confirmed that catch-up episodes are available after broadcast on ITVX. Scottish viewers can watch on STV, as confirmed by ITV News (official broadcaster).

The trade-off

ITVX is free with ads, but the 90-minute launch episode includes commercial breaks. Ad-free streaming requires an ITVX Premium subscription — a recurring fee for a three-week series.

Why this matters: UK viewers outside England need to check regional access. STV viewers in Scotland get the same episodes, but ITVX regional licensing may differ.

“Get ready for an all-stars showdown like no other 🕷️ I’m A Celebrity… South Africa starts Monday 6th April at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.”

ITV News (official broadcaster)

“I’m a Celebrity… South Africa will air at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with the bumper-size launch show airing until 10.30pm.”

Digital Spy (TV news authority)

The upshot

The complete I’m a Celebrity South Africa 2026 guide boils down to: one start date (6 April, 9pm), one channel (ITV1/ITVX), one format (all-stars pre-recorded), and one live final (24 April, London). For UK viewers planning their April TV schedule, the choice is clear: tune in on ITV1 at 9pm on Monday 6 April, or stream it on ITVX — because the jungle doesn’t wait.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, itv.com, uk.news.yahoo.com, hellorayo.co.uk

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is I’m a Celebrity South Africa 2026?

The series runs for three weeks, from 6 April to approximately 24–25 April 2026. Episodes air weeknights at 9pm for 60–90 minutes each.

Will there be a live finale?

Yes — the live grand final is scheduled for Friday 24 April 2026, broadcast from London. ITV News (official broadcaster) reported that Adam Thomas was crowned winner of that live final.

How many episodes are in the series?

Approximately 15 episodes, airing weeknights over three weeks. The exact count is subject to scheduling adjustments on ITV1.

Who are the hosts of I’m a Celebrity South Africa 2026?

Ant & Dec are expected to host, continuing their long-standing role as presenters of I’m a Celebrity. This is consistent with all previous UK editions.

Can I watch I’m a Celebrity South Africa from outside the UK?

ITVX is geo-blocked to UK viewers. International viewers may need a VPN or access through local broadcasters who license the series (check local TV listings for availability).

What is the prize for winning I’m a Celebrity South Africa?

The prize details for 2026 have not been officially confirmed by ITV. Previous all-stars editions awarded a trophy and bragging rights rather than a cash prize.

Is I’m a Celebrity South Africa the same as the regular UK series?

No. The South Africa edition is a pre-recorded all-stars spin-off featuring returning celebrities. The main UK series airs live from the Australian jungle in November and features new celebrities.

Related reading: I’m A Celebrity… South Africa 2026 start date · Main UK I’m A Celebrity series start date and schedule