I’m A Celeb announces major rule change for campmates days before show starts

The 2025 series kicks off this Sunday with a fresh batch of celebrities

I’m A Celeb bosses are keen for more celebrities to take part in the Bushtucker trials(Image: ITV)

I’m a Celebrity has announced a major rule change ahead of this year’s series. Excitement is building ahead of the start of the new season this weekend. The full line-up has been confirmed after weeks of rumours, with everyone from soap stars, rappers and music legends.

Ant and Dec will return to front the next edition of TV’s toughest entertainment challenge, which gets underway this Sunday (November 16). The first episode will be broadcast on ITV1 at 9pm and will last 95 mins.

Viewers can dive straight into the 2025 series this weekend, as a fresh batch of famous faces will make their way into the infamous camp. The series will once again feature the infamous Bushtucker Trials, including those notorious eating challenges.

The full-line up for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! has been announced(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

But fans can expect a huge change to the rules as I’m A Celeb bosses are clamping down on celebrities doing repeated trials. This year, contestants will no longer be able to do more than two Bushtucker trials in a row.

It gives the opportunity for more celebrities to have a go at the trials. Last year’s series saw Dean McCullough voted to do seven Bushtucker Trials, two of which he ended early.

Ant McPartlin expressed his frustration at the time, as Dean was repeatedly being put up for trial. The TV presenter said: “Who’s still voting for Dean? I don’t get it.”

Nigel Farage, who took part in 2023, has previously said those doing challenges got “25 percent of the airtime”. The rule change will allow different celebrities to get air time.

Stars such as Helen Flanagan and Gilliam McKeith were repeatedly voted for trials during their season.

This year, viewers will be unable to vote for that person for a third consecutive day, but then the system will be “reset” allowing that person to be voted for again.

Dean McCullough was voted to do seven Bushtucker Trials last year(Image: ITV)

A source said: “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.”

Bosses are keen for more contestants to shine in the camp, and have taken feedback from previous celebrities on the show who want the trials to be spread more evenly.

A source added: “This is a great move for fans of the show so we don’t see the same faces doing the trials, as well as uncovering new favourites. Plus it’s a win-win for the celebs too, who are keen for more chances to get their personalities across.”

Several contestants have done multiple trials over the years. Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas performed 12 trials when he took part back in 2016, while Scarlett Moffat undertook 10 in 2016 and Janice Dickinson in 2007. Jacqueline Jossa did 10 Trials in 2019, while Helen Flanagan did seven trials in 2012.

Celebs flying Down Under include Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, YouTuber Morgan Burtwistle, known as Angry Ginge, EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, comedian Ruby Wax, TV presenter Alex Scott and Jack Osbourne.

Ant and Dec are returning to host the hit series, which is in its 25th year. A source close to the show said: “Producers are expected to pull out the stops to ensure the 25th series is the most memorable yet.”

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! airs Sunday at 9pm on ITVV1