Ian YoungsCulture reporter
James Gourley/ITV/ShutterstockITV has introduced a new rule for this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! meaning individual contestants cannot be voted to do every bushtucker trial for numerous days in a row.
Show bosses said the new rule, which will mean celebrities can do “two in a row and you miss a go”, has been created to “give all campmates the opportunity to shine”.
Viewers voted for DJ Dean McCullough to do trials six times in a row in last year’s series, while ex-Health Secretary Matt Hancock also did six trials in a row in 2022.
The gruesome trials often require celebrities to eat delicacies like kangaroo anus, crocodile penis and sheep semen, or be trapped with creatures such as snakes, cockroaches and rats.
Being repeatedly nominated for trials has taken its toll on some celebrities in the past. Gillian McKeith appeared to faint after she was voted to do her seventh trial in 2010.
ITVITV said all celebrities want a chance to do trials, and viewers don’t want to see the same person doing them day after day.
A spokesperson said: “Show bosses are keen to give all campmates the opportunity to shine in Bushtucker Trials this year and are bringing in a new rule that after a celebrity has been voted for TWO trials in a row, they cannot be voted for one on the next day.
“This new rule means the responsibility for winning food is shared amongst more of the campmates.
“More campmates will have an opportunity to step up and play their part with viewers getting a chance to get to know them more, it’s their chance to shine.”
This year’s series will start on Sunday, with TV personality Jack Osbourne, comedian Ruby Wax and model and presenter Kelly Brook among the celebrities who are heading to the Australian jungle.
Other famous faces include former Lioness Alex Scott, Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley and Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp.
Rapper Aitch, social media personality Morgan Burtwistle, who is known as Angryginge, EastEnders’ actress Shona McCarty and comedian Eddie Kadi round out the list.
