Whingeing stars force I’m A Celeb bosses to make major change to trials so viewers can’t ‘gang up on’ them
I’M A Celeb stars feeling queasy about being voted for multiple Bushtucker Trials in a row have been let off the hook.
Their moans to ITV chiefs have led to a limit on the number of consecutive tasks they must endure.
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Emmerdale’s Adam Thomas holds the record for highest number of Bushtucker Trials after facing a total of 12 in 2016Credit: Rex Features
Ex-Tory MP Matt Hancock, a controversial star in 2022, faced six trials in successionCredit: Rex
Bosses acted after stars feared they would be “bullied” by viewers into constantly taking on stomach-churning eating tasks, or dizzying height challenges.
Under the new “two in a row and you miss a go” rules, fans will not be able to vote for a celeb who has already taken on two successive trials.
But viewers can start selecting them again after the following trial vote.
Bosses also acted following complaints that some contestants were hogging the limelight.
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They want to give chances to as many campmates as possible to let them show fans what they are made of — and ensure good entertainment.
A show 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 trials as opposed to the same person every day.”
Eating trials have involved scoffing kangaroo anus, bulls’ testicles, and even sheep brains.
And physical tasks demand the celebrities perform challenges suspended in mid-air or by wading through dark tunnels.
In 2010’s series TV nutritionist Gillian McKeith, now 66, was voted to take part in a seventh trial in a row. But she appeared to faint and was replaced.
Ex-Corrie actress Helen Flanagan was also voted for seven consecutive trials in 2021.
Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough, who appeared on last year’s series, and ex-Tory MP Matt Hancock, a controversial star in 2022, both faced six trials in succession.
Viewers accused Dean, 33, of trying to maximise his airtime by being overdramatic in tasks.
Even hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly started to get frustrated — with Ant admitting Dean annoyed him with his “wimpy” efforts.
Ant told spin-off show Unpacked: “I think it’s good to see other faces there.
“It’s not about Dean.
“It’s about us seeing different people down there, and we want to see different people being featured.
“You just get to a point where you go, ‘Who’s still voting for Dean?’ I don’t get it.”
All Saints singer Natalie Appleton, 52, quit in 2004 after viewers voted for her to do a fifth consecutive trial.
The exhausted star said: “You have got to be kidding.
“I have nothing left.”
Emmerdale’s Adam Thomas holds the record after facing a total of 12 trials — not in succession — earning him the nickname “Mr Bushtucker” in 2016.
TV nutritionist Gillian McKeith, 66, was voted to take part in seven trials in a rowCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
All Saints singer Natalie Appleton, 52, quit in 2004 after viewers voted for her to do a fifth consecutive trialCredit: ITV
Ant & Dec previously joked about the trials, saying: ‘Shortly we’ll be going into camp to reveal who’ll be getting 25 per cent of the airtime tomorrow’Credit: Rex
Recently stars have also admitted hoping they get chosen for the tough tasks to maximise their publicity.
In 2023 crafty Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he wanted to keep getting the public vote.
While in camp, he told food critic Grace Dent: “If you do the challenges, it’s 25 per cent of the airtime.
“I’m looking at reaching a whole new audience.”
It led Ant and Dec to joke later in the series: “Shortly we’ll be going into camp to reveal who’ll be getting 25 per cent of the airtime tomorrow.”
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