Due to the Covid restrictions, I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will be hosted at Gwrych Castle for a second year running.

But just as the Welsh castle was about to be handed over to ITV it was announced that the building's walls had been vandalised.

Filming was originally hoped to be back in Australia but due to the pandemic programme planners were forced to abandon plans and to film in Wales instead.

Talking about the awful incident, one member of staff told PA that they witnessed three children "demolishing the battlements."

He said he was "astonished" and said: "Thankfully nobody was injured, but part of the Grade-I listed building was damaged."

The incident that took place on Sunday resulted in one of the castle's restored battlements on the east lawn being left damaged.

A message posted on the castle's official Twitter account read: "Our final day reminded us how far we've come, but also how much we have left to do over the coming years.

"It was a huge shame to see that somebody damaged one of the restored battlements on the east lawn on our last day.

"This goes to show the huge task we have ahead of us!"

Many fans took to Twitter to comment on the shocking revelation and to share their concerns for the castle.

One said: "Why would they do that"

A second tweeted: "Why ??! Mindless idiots"

While a third asked: "That’s a real shame, can funding stretch to cctv installation?"

And a fourth commented: "Unbelievable"

The trust also said the castle has previously experienced attacks on its building, including arson, vandalism and theft.

A representative for the trust added: "We believe that it's important that people are aware that even in the 21st century, historical landmarks are still being damaged and left to deteriorate."

The castle announced it had closed to the public on Sunday due to the ITV crew coming to work on the new series, and would not be reopening until 2022.

The move from Australia to the Welsh location will help the ongoing restoration of the castle, said the chair of the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, Mark Bake.

The nation's fave double act will also return to host the show, with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly being confirmed once more for the upcoming series.

Ant has previously commented on the return to the Welsh countryside and state he would be "very happy" for the programme to be held there again.

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