Abergele’s Gwrych Castle has seen a huge boost in visitor numbers this year thanks to it being home to the 2020 ‘I’m a Celebrity’ camp mates.

The popular ITV reality series was forced to abandon its usual location in Australia last year due to the pandemic and producers chose to use the iconic castle in North Wales instead.

Last week, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar visited the castle to see progress with the restoration and hear more about the plans for the future of the Castle. He was pleased to be told that ‘I’m a Celebrity’ is continuing to have a positive impact with there being a huge boost to visitors to the historic site.

Darren said:

“It is always a real pleasure to visit Gwrych Castle and with the sun shining during my visit this iconic landmark looked more spectacular that ever.  

“I was told that the association of the site with ‘I’m a Celebrity’ has boosted visitors to the historic site hugely, and a number of improvements to access and works to prevent further deterioration of the structure were undertaken as part of the deal between the Gwrych Castle Trust and ITV to host the programme.

“The popular ITV series, which celebrated its 20th anniversary at Gwrych, has certainly put the castle, and in fact Abergele on the map, and I’m sure with the school summer holidays almost upon on us, we will see even more visitors flocking to see this landmark in the weeks ahead.

“Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust deserve huge praise for all they have achieved over the years. They have slowly brought a dilapidated ruin back to life and it now has a bright future ahead.”