Is ITV’s I’m A Celebrity South Africa final tonight live and can you vote?

Three years since it last aired, I’m A Celebrity South Africa has been back on our screens for a second season – and there’s been plenty of drama in the jungle.

The ITV series returned on April 6 with a brand new line-up of legendary campmates all hoping for a second chance at being named King or Queen of the Jungle.

This year, the cast has included memorable past contestants, from Gemma Collins, Harry Redknapp and Sir Mo Farah.

We’ve also seen Beverley Collard make an emotional exit, an explosive row between Adam Thomas and Jimmy Bullard and some controversial comments from former boxer David Haye.

It certainly hasn’t been without its moments, but it all concludes tonight on ITV – with many I’m A Celeb fans wondering just how the winner will be picked for the 2026 series.

Here’s everything you need to know about the series finale.

Is I’m A Celebrity South Africa live?

Unlike I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, the South Africa spin-off, is almost completely pre-recorded. However, one element of the show will be shown live for the first time.

The 2026 South Africa series was filmed in September last year, just a couple of months before the main show returned in Australia.

While this is common knowledge, some fans have expressed major confusion online as they didn’t realise that it was pre-recorded.

‘I’m sorry, how are #ImACeleb gonna have a live final when this was all filmed at the end of last year?’ flissfrost82 wrote on X, while tvreality93 added: ‘How many won’t realise I’m a celebrity is not live tonight then.’

Despite production on the all-stars show taking place over six months ago, the grand finale – airing tonight, Friday, April 24 – will be live and hosted by Ant and Dec on ITV1, STV and ITVX.

How can there be a live final if it’s already filmed?

Scarlet looks as confused as we feel (Picture: ITV)

Despite the series being pre-recorded, they didn’t shoot the ending as ITV is planning a live finale where the new King or Queen of the Jungle will be crowned.

While the exact details of what the show will look like are a closely guarded secret at the moment, we do know a few details.

I’m A Celebrity fans have the opportunity to attend the final in person in London, as advertised on the free ticket website Applause Store.

We also know that Ant and Dec are hosting and that all the finalists will be in the studio (although we don’t know if that includes the entire cast).

Do the finalists know they’ve won?

The finalists do not know if they’ve won at this moment. The winner will be chosen by a public vote due to take place during the final episode.

The finalists for this year’s series are:

Scarlett Moffatt Mo Farah Harry Redknapp Adam Thomas Craig Charles

Everyone from the series is expected to appear for the final, except for Beverley Callard, who has confirmed she will not be in attendance due to health reasons, following leaving the jungle early.

Can you vote for the winner?

The fate of the campmates is decided by the celebs (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

You can vote for the winner of I’m A Celebrity South Africa 2026, despite not being able to cast a vote for the finalists across the series.

As we’ve mentioned, ITV decided to pre-record this season, so instead of the public voting on who does the Bushtucker Trials, it’s left up to the celebs and winning comes down to how they perform in the challenges.

However, in tonight’s final broadcast, you will be able to cast a vote for your favourite.

The live final is two episodes, with the first one airing from 7.30pm to 9pm, which will feature the final trials from South Africa, as well as segments from a live broadcast filmed in London.

At the end of that episode, the public will be asked to vote for which campmate they want to win via the I’m A Celeb app. You will have an hour to vote. Then, the winner will be announced in a second episode, which starts at 10pm.

The app is free to download and can be purchased from the Apple or Google Play stores.

Are Ant and Dec actually in South Africa now?

Ant and Dec are not currently in South Africa (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

Despite Ant and Dec’s Instagram feed keeping up the illusion that they are in South Africa, the dynamic duo are (we believe) back in Blighty.

Like the rest of the series, the pair recorded their commentary and clips last year while the celebs endured the ignominy of the jungle.

They will be on live tonight form the segments filmed in London as the votes come in.

‘It’s going to be here in the UK, live on the television. We’re going to get all the cast back, we’ll have the finalists in the studio. It’ll be a live vote like we do in Australia and the public will decide their legend,’ Ant and Dec said.

Where is it filmed?

I’m A Celebrity South Africa is filmed at the world-renowned Kruger National Park.

An elephant pictured at Kruger National Park in February this year (Picture: Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

On the website for South African National Parks, it states: ‘Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, Kruger offers a world-class wildlife experience with unparalleled diversity.

‘It is home to 336 tree species, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals, and leads in environmental management techniques.’

On Lonely Planet, it says that the park is ‘so full of wonders you can’t help but be wrapped up in its magic’.

‘Easy to reach, expertly managed and almost uniquely self-drivable, Kruger National Park is one of the world’s great destinations for wildlife viewing.

‘All the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – are present in the park, together with safari favourites impala, zebra, giraffe, hippos and crocs.’

Who won the last series?

The first series of I’m A Celebrity South Africa aired in 2023, with returning campmates in the cast including Helen Flanagan, Carl Vorderman and Joe Swash.

Who will follow in Myleene’s footsteps to be crowned the next winner? (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The inaugural season was won by Myleene Klass, with Jordan Banjo finishing in second place, and Fatima Whitbread finishing third.

After her win, Myleene said: ‘You can’t do it alone… I am blown away at the friendships I’ve come away with.’

Fans celebrated the musician and TV presenter for being a ‘deserving winner’, while another wrote at the time: ‘You are actually superhuman.’

I’m A Celebrity South Africa final begins tonight at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with the reuslts airing from 10pm.

This article was originally published on April 6, 2026.

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