Bosses purposely decided to avoid getting politicians on this year’s I’m A Celebrity, can reveal.
ITV producers are trying to push for a more ‘positive’ series after controversial politicians Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage divided viewership on their stint.
Bosses are hoping the decision to rope in WAG Coleen Rooney, off the back of the Wagatha Christie case, will bring back a ‘positive, happy and funnier camp’.
A source said: ‘ITV producers are pushing for a more ‘positive’ I’m a Celebrity after reviewing previous series which saw the likes of controversial politicians Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage divide its viewership.
‘Changing the show’s fundamental format, producers have added two camp leaders to allow contestants to create bonds.
Bosses purposely decided to avoid getting politicians on this year’s I’m A Celebrity, can reveal (Ant and Dec pictured last year)
ITV producers are trying to push for a more ‘positive’ series after controversial politicians Matt Hancock (right) and Nigel Farage (left) divided viewership on their stint
‘Executive producer Olly Nash said ‘All we want to see is a year of positive, happy, funny camp. This year there’s a stronger chance of becoming a stronger family. We want to recreate the golden years of 2018 and Harry Redknapp.’
have contacted ITV for a comment.
The no-politician policy on the channel’s flagship show is a blow for ex-MPs hoping to remain in the public eye.
Nigel proved a tricky participant for ITV, regularly accusing the broadcaster of foul play during and after his stint on the show in 2023.
He warned the channel’s director Kevin Lygo against going to ‘war’ with him, claiming that his life had been made ‘quite unpleasant’ while on the show.
Nigel said bosses deliberately censored him, reduced his airtime and chose to show him – but no other contestant – naked while showering in the n jungle.
Supporters followed up his accusations online with calls on X for ITV to be ‘held accountable’ for censoring the politician.
In the final week of the show, the controversy prompted I’m A Celebrity’s hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly to declare on their Instagram live channel Jungle Club: ‘I think we do a year without any politicians.’
Bosses are hoping the decision to rope in WAG Coleen Rooney (pictured), off the back of the Wagatha Christie case, will bring back a ‘positive, happy and funnier camp’
The no-politician policy on the channel’s flagship show is a blow for ex-MPs hoping to remain in the public eye
Nigel proved a tricky participant for ITV, regularly accusing the broadcaster of foul play during and after his stint on the show in 2023
When hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were asked if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could be a potential future campmate previously, Dec said: ‘I think we do a year without any politicians.’
Ant added: ‘Agreed, agreed, agreed.’
The order to ditch the politicians has come from ITV bosses after a lot of viewers chose to skip last year’s edition of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
The 2023 final saw viewing figures plummet by 4million with an average of just 6.6million people tuning in compared to 10.1million in 2022.
ITV bosses believe that the slump in viewing figures is due to the recent inclusion of controversial politicians in the line-up of celebrities.
Politicians have become a staple of the I’m a Celeb cast in recent years. Other politicians who have taken part include veteran Tory Edwina Currie, Lib Dem Lembit Öpik and former leader of Scottish Labour Kezia Dugdale.
Nadine Dorries famously took part in the 2012 edition of the show where she was the first to be voted out of the jungle. Then Prime Minister suspended Ms Dorries from the Conservative Party for taking part in the show while she was a sitting MP.
Hoping to bring a fun, exciting and positive swing to the show, Coleen will join the likes of former Strictly pro dancer Oti Mabuse, 34, and McFly singer Danny Jones, 38 (pictured on Tuesday)
The mother-of-four paid tribute to her family by flying out to Brisbane on Monday wearing a gold necklace with her son’s names on it as she prepares to be without them for the next month (pictured)
Coleen finally agreed to sign up following years of being approached by bosses given her 16-year marriage to Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne is in a strong position and their four children Kai, 14, Klay, 11, Kit, eight, and Cass, six, are older
She shared on Instagram a pre-recorded video displaying two white boards filled with plans she has organised in advanced for her children
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‘I have planned and prepped, I have an army of people, family and friends, school friends, all helping out with the kids and they’re probably going to have a great time while I’m away.’
Influencer GK Barry, 25, and Loose Woman Jane Moore, 62, also touched down in on Tuesday ahead of their stint.
Coleen finally agreed to sign up following years of being approached by bosses given her 16-year marriage to Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne is in a strong position and their four children Kai, 14, Klay, 11, Kit, eight, and Cass, six, are older.
The mother-of-four paid tribute to her family by flying out to Brisbane on Monday wearing a gold necklace with her son’s names on it as she prepares to be without them for the next month.
She shared on Instagram a pre-recorded video displaying two white boards filled with plans she has organised in advanced for her children.
She said: ‘I can confirm I am going in the jungle… do you know what they have asked me for so many years now and I have always said no or put it off because the kids have been young and I’ve had a lot on…
‘But this year I thought, do you know what? I quite fancy doing it. I would like to experience something different, do something for myself, meet new people, I am looking forward to doing the trials.
‘Don’t get me wrong, I really anxious about leaving the kids, which is the biggest thing. For weeks and months that has been on my mind but I have come to terms with it.
‘I have planned and prepped, I have an army of people, family and friends, school friends, all helping out with the kids and they’re probably going to have a great time while I’m away.’
I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP
OTI MABUSE
Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt
AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: Professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: McFly singer
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.
GK BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: TikTok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULLOUGH
ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.
Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.
JANE MOORE
Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.
Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.
COLEEN ROONEY
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.