Gwrych Castle explains reason behind crane pictured at rumoured I’m A Celebrity camp site

The trust responsible for running a North Wales castle which is reportedly set to host this year’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! has clarified the reason why a crane has been seen at the site over the last few days.

Yesterday the Reach-owned North Wales Live website ran a story which speculated that the crane could be at the estate near Abergele in preparation for the production of the hit ITV reality show.

The Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust has remained tight lipped on the rumours linking it to the programme when contacted by North.Wales.

However, it has made clear that work currently taking place at the Grade I listed country house has nothing to do with TV production.

In a post on Twitter, representatives said: “Day one of our planned emergency works to conserve the central keep at the castle. This area is a mix of medieval timbers and Georgian masonry.”

Day one of our planned emergency works to conserve the central keep at the castle. This area is a mix of medieval timbers and Georgian masonry. #gwrychcastle #abergele #conwy #northwales pic.twitter.com/HYPnMHDHXJ

— Gwrych Castle (@GwrychTrust) August 10, 2020

One wag replied asking: “Are you Ant and Dec(orating)?”

The trust was originally set up in the 1990s by local schoolboy Mark Baker, who was concerned about the deteriorating condition of the castle.

The building has changed hands on a number of occasions since then, but two separate applications to convert it into a hotel fell by the wayside.

In 2018, the trust took on the site itself with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Richard Broyd Charitable Trust.

One of its main aims is to raise funds to restore the property and it has been suggested that the money from ITV could provide a big boost.

The broadcaster announced on Friday that the 20th series of the popular show hosted by Ant and Dec would be filmed in the UK.

It said the programme would be broadcast live every night from a ruined castle in the countryside.

Initial reports from Mail Online indicated it could be recorded at Ewloe Castle in Flintshire – however as reported locally that does not appear to be true.

The Sun said the show’s producers have paid “a king’s ransom” to secure the 200-year-old Gwrych Castle instead.

When we asked whether the article was accurate, a spokesman for the trust which runs the castle said: “We will decline to comment at this time.”