Since its electrifying debut in 2002, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! has been a cornerstone of ITV’s lineup, drawing millions of viewers with its raw, unfiltered glimpse into celebrity survival. At the heart of the show are its iconic hosts, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, whose infectious chemistry and quick wit have made them synonymous with the jungle experience. But a bold claim from 2023 winner Sam Thompson has sparked a fiery debate about the show’s future—and whether it could survive without its legendary duo.
The I’m A Celebrity format is as brutal as it is captivating. Celebrities are thrust into the unforgiving Australian jungle, stripped of luxuries and forced to fend for themselves with minimal amenities. The 2023 season showcased a dynamic mix of stars, including Made In Chelsea’s Sam Thompson, pop heartthrob Marvin Humes, and social media sensation Nella Rose. Sam emerged as the King of the Jungle, charming audiences with his infectious energy and candid vulnerability. Since his victory, he’s kept the spotlight firmly on him, co-hosting the hit Staying Relevant Podcast alongside Strictly Come Dancing’s Pete Wicks.
But it’s Sam’s recent comments about Ant and Dec that have sent shockwaves through the I’m A Celeb fandom. In a candid interview with Daily Star’s Screen Time team, the 33-year-old reality star didn’t hold back, sharing what he called his most “unpopular” TV opinion: “When Ant and Dec leave I’m A Celeb, the show should stop.” His reasoning? The Geordie duo are the show. “I just don’t know how it would work without them,” Sam confessed, emphasizing their irreplaceable role in the series’ DNA.
When pressed on whether other presenters could step into Ant and Dec’s shoes, Sam was resolute. “I wouldn’t want to,” he admitted, even hypothetically rejecting the idea of him and Pete Wicks taking over. The notion of filling the void left by the beloved hosts, he insisted, would be a near-impossible task—a sentiment that’s sure to divide fans. For Sam, Ant and Dec’s unique blend of humor, warmth, and effortless charm is the heartbeat of the jungle, and their departure would signal the end of an era.
Reflecting on his own time in the jungle, Sam painted a vivid picture of the experience’s raw beauty. “You sit around that campsite for four weeks… you don’t speak to producers or anything like that, it’s literally just you and the people you’re with,” he shared. “That’s why it’s so beautiful.” The isolation, the camaraderie, and the unfiltered authenticity of the camp create a magic that’s hard to replicate. But the jungle isn’t without its darker moments, and Sam’s unforgettable encounter with a leech is proof of that.
“I had a leech in my bum,” he recalled with a mix of horror and humor. The parasitic intruder had latched onto him early in the show, only detaching itself after gorging to the point of collapse. “It extracted itself because it had fed so much it unattached. So it was just laying comatose next to me when I woke up,” Sam recounted, painting a grim yet darkly comedic picture of jungle life. His blunt advice for future contestants? “If you don’t like leeches, then you are scr***d.”
Sam’s bold stance on Ant and Dec’s irreplaceable role and his vivid jungle tales have reignited conversations about the show’s legacy. Can I’m A Celebrity survive without its iconic hosts, or is Sam right that their exit would spell the end? One thing’s certain: the jungle has a way of revealing raw truths, and Sam Thompson isn’t afraid to speak his.