In a bold move revealed exclusively by the Daily Mail, show bosses have introduced a strict new protocol: If a celebrity gets voted into two consecutive Bushtucker Trials, they’re off the hook for the next round. No more endless pile-ons! A TV insider spilled the beans, explaining, “This shake-up is going to breathe new life into the series. When one star gets hammered with votes over and over, it crushes their spirit, bores the audience, and leaves the rest of the camp fuming about their vanishing screen time.”
The decision comes hot on the heels of growing backlash against viewers’ habit of zeroing in on unpopular contestants, turning what should be fun family viewing into a digital witch hunt. Another source close to the production confided that ITV execs are determined to reclaim the show’s wholesome vibe, which has been “eroded” by this kind of negativity. “It’s about protecting the stars and keeping things fair and entertaining for everyone,” they added.
Flash back to last year’s jungle drama for a prime example of why this overhaul was desperately needed. BBC Radio host Dean McCullough, 33, became the unwitting poster boy for viewer vengeance, getting slapped with a staggering seven straight trials. From lying in pitch-black boxes teeming with creepy crawlies to fumbling his way through challenges that netted him a measly few stars, Dean’s ordeal sparked outrage. Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) in droves, demanding reform. “It’s not funny seeing Dean do another trial. Please #ImACeleb start introducing 3 trials strike and let someone else have a go,” one viewer tweeted. Another lamented, “I love Im a Celeb, but it makes the show boring having the same person doing the trials! Too much airtime. Give others a chance.” A third nailed it: “It’s literally killing the show tbh.”
The fallout was so intense that even the show’s iconic hosts got caught in the crossfire. Ant McPartlin admitted to losing his cool during Dean’s third trial, where the star only snagged four stars before throwing in the towel. “If you can’t do it, you can’t do it, but just get on with it—just try it,” Ant snapped on air. He later owned up to the slip, calling it “unprofessional” and apologizing for letting his frustration bleed through. Meanwhile, other campmates like BBC One’s Melvin Odoom and Coronation Street‘s Alan Halsall were sidelined with what fans dubbed a “criminal lack of airtime,” turning the spotlight into a one-man show.
This isn’t the first time the voting system has raised eyebrows. In 2023, Reform leader Nigel Farage cheekily confessed his strategy on the show: “I wanted to be voted for trials because it means 25 percent airtime.” His candid admission highlighted how trials aren’t just about survival—they’re a ticket to stardom (or infamy) in the jungle.
ITV isn’t mincing words about the revamp. A spokesperson declared, “Celebrities all want the opportunity to take on a Bushtucker Trial and bring home stars for camp. Viewers would much prefer to see different celebrities take on the iconic Bushtucker Trials as opposed to the same person every day.”
With this emergency rule kicking in immediately, expect a fresher, fairer I’m A Celebrity where no one dominates the dread—and everyone gets a shot at the glory (or the gross-out). Will it restore the show’s sparkle, or spark even more debate? Tune in to find out—the jungle just got a whole lot wilder!