In a shocking twist that’s set the I’m A Celebrity jungle ablaze with controversy, fans are up in arms over what they perceive as a cruel and insensitive jab aimed at beloved Emmerdale star Lisa Riley. The 49-year-old actress, who has bravely shared her past battles with emotional eating and food addiction—issues that once saw her swap one extreme for another in a grueling weight loss journey—found herself at the center of a heated camp confrontation. Viewers are now demanding accountability, labeling the remark as downright “nasty” and potentially triggering for someone with Riley’s history of body image struggles.
I’m A Celeb fans have called out one campmate for an apparent nasty comment to Lisa RileyCredit: ITV
It came after Ruby Wax took over camp leadershipCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Lisa became her deputy and instilled a rule of welcome dancesCredit: ITV
Eddie is looking annoyed.
The drama unfolded shortly after comedy legend Ruby Wax, 72, was crowned the new camp leader, appointing Lisa as her trusty deputy. But not everyone was thrilled with the power shift. Online streamer AngryGinge, 24, rallied allies including rapper Aitch, 25, and reality TV heir Jack Osbourne, 40, to challenge the regime. AngryGinge wasted no time airing his grievances, accusing Lisa of mocking him during a recent camp relocation.
“I’ve got a bone to pick with you for taking the mic out of me last night when I was moving out,” he fumed, demanding an apology and insisting the camp’s quirky “welcome dances”—a fun ritual Lisa and Ruby had introduced, complete with Aitch’s raps—be scrapped immediately.
Lisa stood her ground with trademark sass: “No, the welcome dances have got to stay.” When AngryGinge threatened a dishwashing boycott in retaliation, she doubled down: “Well, the welcome dances will stay—that’s the only thing I put forward as deputy.”
That’s when comedian Eddie Kadi, 42, jumped in with the comment that’s ignited the scandal. “Hold on, hold on, things have changed though. The regime has changed. You are lucky to be in that position,” he declared, his words hanging heavy in the humid air.
Lisa’s reaction was instantaneous—a piercing glare followed by a stunned “What?” She planted her hands on her hips, her body language screaming discomfort as the awkward exchange dragged on. Fans, quick to dissect every moment on social media, zeroed in on the perceived slight, especially in light of Lisa’s well-documented history. The actress, who dramatically shed 12 stone from a size 28 to a size 12 in just 18 months, has openly discussed her emotional eating roots and how she once replaced food addiction with an obsession over minimizing intake and over-exercising—a precarious path that echoes the hallmarks of disordered eating behaviors.
“Did I mishear, or did Eddie say to Lisa she shouldn’t be deputy anyway—or words to that effect? She looked very hurt,” one outraged viewer posted online. Another chimed in: “Yes, I thought it was quite nasty what he said to her. Considering her past with weight and food issues, that’s low.”
The backlash has snowballed, with many speculating that Eddie’s “lucky” quip could be interpreted as dismissive of Lisa’s hard-earned resilience, potentially reopening old wounds from her transformative journey. “This isn’t just camp banter—it’s insensitive at best, harmful at worst,” a third fan raged. “Hunt down the culprit? Eddie better explain himself!”
Ironically, Eddie’s own jungle stint came to an abrupt end soon after. On Sunday’s episode, the funnyman became the second celebrity evicted, narrowly edging out model Vogue Williams in the public vote. Social media erupted in disbelief: “So shocked about Eddie leaving—I thought he’d stay for longer!” one wrote, while another exclaimed, “EDDIE??????? HOW.”
Eddie later became the second star eliminated from the jungleCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
He was nominated alongside Vogue WilliamsCredit: ITV
Eddie Kadi, wearing a hat and camo bandana, evicted from I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
Reflecting on his exit with hosts Ant and Dec, Eddie waxed poetic about his Congolese roots and the humbling experience of jungle life. “I feel like I’ve been in there for a year. It’s literally changed my life,” he shared. “Coming from Congo—we have a massive rainforest that I’ve never visited—I feel like I’ve had a taste of how my great grandparents and grandparents would’ve grown up. It explains why they were so humble and handled the bare minimum. They made the best out of life and were joyful in any situation. Things will never be the same now.”
Eddie’s departure follows footballer Alex Scott’s exit as the first evictee after 14 days in the wild. The ex-England Lioness bid farewell to her campmates, reuniting with a friend on the iconic bridge—while girlfriend Jess Glynne cheered from afar.
As the camp scandal simmers, one thing’s clear: I’m A Celebrity viewers aren’t letting this slide. With Lisa’s vulnerability in the spotlight, the hunt for answers—and perhaps an apology—continues. Will the jungle heal these rifts, or is more drama on the horizon? Stay tuned!