I’M A Celebrity stars have got a fresh foe to fear after deadly fire ants were detected near a mansion being used for filming.
A warning has been put in place near the £21million Diamond Head estate after the insects swarmed the area in Queensland, Australia.
Waning signs have been put up close to the luxury mansion that will host this weekend’s I’m A Celeb launch show ITVThis year’s celebs will face all manner of nasty critters in the jungle[/caption]Five nests were also discovered in Murwillumbah, New South Wales – where the jungle camp is.
Fire ant bites cause a human’s skin feeling like it is burning and cause blisters.
In severe cases, their bite can cause potentially fatal anaphylaxis.
Fire ants are recorded to have caused 85 deaths in the US.
Down Under, authorities have pledged $593million (£303million) into a national fire ant eradication programme.
The invasive species damage crops and kill livestock.
A source said: “This is just another one of the horrible things that the celebs are going to have to get used to during their time in Australia.
“But health and safety remains the top priority for bosses and they are always in the best hands if an emergency does ever occur.”
A sign erected near Diamond Head shows pictures of huge mountains of the insects, and states: “WARNING. Fire ants have been detected in this area.”
It is believed the sprawling mansion will be used for filming scenes to feature in this Sunday’s opening episode, as revealed by The Sun last month.
It was previously owned by MotoGP champ Mick Doohan and sold for £21million in 2022.
It has a private runway, helipad and boat jetty and boasts a cinema and wine cellar with 2,000 bottles.
Celebs who have enjoyed its luxury include actors Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp, who severed his finger during a heated row there with then wife Amber Heard in 2015.
A TV source previously told us: “Diamond Head is one of Australia’s priciest properties so will suit Coleen down to the ground.
“The new location will bring showbiz sparkle to the series and the I’m A Celebrity team are finalising details about how exactly the property will be used and for how long.”
Amir PrestigeThe Diamond Head estate is a new addition to the show[/caption] AlamyA huge sum has been spent to eradicate the pests[/caption]I'm A Celebrity 2024
As the hit ITV show enters into its 24th series, a brand new batch of famous faces look set to enter the Aussie jungle once again to face terrifying Bushtucker Trials and living amongst the critters in camp in order to come out on top and be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars heading Down Under this year...