When does I’m A Celebrity 2018 finish? Final date of the reality show revealed

Before Christmas can fully take over the TV schedules, the I’m A Celebrity final has to take place.

Having agreed to leave their life of luxury behind, the celebrities have become accustomed to sleeping in hammocks and eating rice and beans more times than they would probably like to.

However, their al fresco living arrangement won’t last forever. In fact, it won’t even last a month.

When is the final?

For the past four years, I’m A Celebrity has lasted exactly three weeks from the launch date.

And this year, the show is continuing with the same pattern, as viewers will see Dec Donnelly and Holly Willoughby crown the winner as the new King or Queen of the jungle on Sunday 9 December at 9pm on ITV.

However, the neat three week duration of the show hasn’t always been set in stone. In fact, when the show began in 2002, the celebrities were only required to reside in the Australian outback for two whole weeks with the series containing just 15 episodes.

The two week stint continued until the sixth series which lasted for 18 days, which then led to the programme’s length being extended and an episode increase to 22, which has remained for the past two years.

The variation in duration may also have something to do with the TV schedules at the time. In the past, episodes of I’m A Celebrity have had to be condensed into one episode or moved around to cater for a range of football matches.

What’s also happening on TV on 9 December?

The jungle-based reality show final could be going head to head with Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn debating about Brexit on BBC. The prime minister and Labour leader are set to duel it out on screen on the same night.

What does the winner get?

Nothing. No, really. Along with the title of jungle King or Queen, the winner simply receives the fee that they agreed with the show when they signed up.

However, as past series have shown, the title of winner is more important that a lump sum of cash as many of the show’s alumni have seen their careers skyrocket thanks to the crown made out of leaves.

Who is tipped to win?

The latest odds have Harry Redknapp taking the prize, with bookmakers Coral putting him 8/11 to win. Second is Emily Atack at 9/2 and Fleur East third at 4/1.

Where are the winners now?

Many of the winners went on to earn a fortune in lucrative deals and TV presenting roles following their time in the jungle.

After becoming the first Queen of the jungle, Kerry Katona went on to become the face of Iceland and later had a string of her own reality TV shows on MTV.

Joe Swash, who won I’m A Celebrity in 2008, has returned to the show but in the role of presenter on spin-off show I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp, alongside 2016’s champion Scarlett Moffatt.

Since winning in 2017, Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo landed the role of a roving reporter on ITV‘s This Morning.