Why I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! is must-watch television – Helen Martin

For the first time in years, I have been following every episode of I’m A Celebrity….Get Me Out of Here!

Shops and businesses in Abergele, Wales, decorated their windows to welcome the cast of ITV's reality show "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here" (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

It is being praised for having viewing ratings of 13.8 million – which is the second-highest in its 18 years and the best rating for any show apart from news programmes this year.

The fact that, because of Covid-19, it is taking place in Wales might have had something to do with it, but I doubt Welsh viewers are boosting it to almost 14 million.

Loads of people have Netflix and other zingy, accessible channels, but like another load of people, apart from Sky’s wide range, things like STV player and Freeview, we don’t. And, generally speaking, thanks to the pandemic, most of the stuff on our limited TV is boring or repeated.

With the first long lockdown, some programmes have restarted with a subtle use of social distancing. I’m A Celeb is the one with no distancing at all. And this time it’s full of well-known British folk, most of whom we recognise.

We haven’t eaten out or been in pubs since March so television is more important than ever and most channels are doing their best not just to entertain us but to maintain their advertising income.

Covid-19 has changed everyone’s habits, their lifestyles and telly views. What will not change after this is that Ant and Dec are probably guaranteed to win their National Television’s Best Presenter Award for their 20th year in a row in January.

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