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New South Wales to Salford: ITV to create £26million I’m a Celebrity inspired theme park

Ever wondered what it’s like to do a Bushtucker trial? Well, you will soon wonder no more because ITV’s I’m a Celebrity is coming to Manchester next summer.

Base Camp, Croc Creek and Snake Rock will all be a part of ITV’s new indoor theme park where visitors will have the chance to collect stars in an attempt to be crowned king or queen of the Jungle.

Featuring zip wires, parachute drops, climbing walls and mazes, the new 2,500 square-metre attraction offers a ‘Jungle Experience’ lasting 90 minutes, recreating the experiences celebrities encounter Down Under.

The theme park will be part of The Watergardens development at The Lowry Centre.

Jason Pullen, managing director of Lifestyle Outlets who are developing the Watergardens complex, believes the ground-breaking construction will attract tourists from across the globe.

“I am delighted to reveal that the I’m A Celebrity Jungle Challenge will be the first of its kind in the UK,” he said.

“I am confident that the experience will be a huge draw for people across the North West and beyond as they look to get closer to the action of this iconic TV show.

“Our partnership with ITV is an exciting development in our goal to create a new generation of outlets by creating unique leisure and shopping destinations with entertainment at their heart.”

Manchester already offers experiences such as Coronation Street and The Crystal Maze, but next year’s new unique experience will top the lot with the £26million investment being the first I’m A Celebrity tourist attraction in the UK.

Plans to develop the attraction will get underway in early 2020.

James Penfold, controller of partnerships at ITV, said: “The I’m A Celebrity Jungle Challenge is a one of a kind, multi-sensory adrenaline adventure.

“It brings together the heart and soul of the hugely celebrated series, and ITV’s expertise in curating fantastic, memorable live brand experiences as a great example of our More than TV strategy.”

Coronation Street’s Helen Flanagan, actor Christopher Biggins, Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder and former Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington are amongst past Manchester-born contestants to feature on I’m a Celebrity.

The first tickets will be released later this year. Visit imacelebrityjunglechallenge.co.uk to register for news, exclusive previews and ticket information.

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