I’m A Celebrity ‘set for major shake-up after strict warning’ from TV watchdog-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

I’m A Celebrity is undergoing a huge change after immense backlash (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! is reportedly set for a huge change after facing immense backlash in recent years.

Bosses for the ITV programme, fronted by Ant and Dec, are said to have ditched plans to include another politician in the jungle.

The likes of Jamie Lynn Spears, Sam Thompson, Boy George and Lioness Jill Scott have all taken part in bushtucker trials in recent years, as have Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage, who was reportedly the highest-paid campmate ever.

But, after viewers threatened to boycott, there may be no more politicians in the jungle.

A source said: ‘It was already highly doubtful that another political type would be cast for I’m A Celeb after the backlash last time, particularly to Farage but also the kickback to Hancock.

‘They also change up the playbook every year to keep things fresh.’

It had previously been claimed that bosses were vowing this huge change, with politicians including Edwina Currie and Stanley Johnson having starred on the reality programme in this past too.

Viewers threatened to boycott I’m A Celebrity over Nigel Farage’s inclusion (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

Matt Hancock also came third after his stint in the jungle (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

However, it’s now been claimed that decision is final after new guidance issued by TV regulator Ofcom, considering I’m A Celebrity may air around the time during of a General Election.

The insider continued to The Sun: ‘The timings of the General Election are just too much of a headache and it was the final straw.

‘Of course, casting is in its early stages and never say never, but they are extremely unlikely to go down that road.’

The publication notes that Ofcom has also sent a warning to TV and radio stations over breaking impartiality rules during election campaigning.

‘If broadcasters want to take the risk of having a high-profile politician, who’s not standing for a seat hosting a programme, they’re going to have to work bloody hard to make sure that those programmes are duly impartial,’ Ofcom’s Broadcasting and Media Group Director, Cristina Nicolotti Squires, said.

Casting for the new series is still in the early stages (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

She added: ‘And we will come down on them like a ton of bricks [if they aren’t].’

A spokesperson for ITV previously said: ‘Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity are speculation.’

While Hancock finished in third and Farage followed in his footsteps in the same position, Ant and Dec were among those calling for ‘a year without any politicians’.

Dec said last year: ‘I think we do a year without any politicians,’ with Ant replying: ‘Agreed, agreed, agreed.’

Metro.co.uk has reached out to ITV for comment.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! is available to watch on ITVX.

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