Fans of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! are worried about the show’s future after the announcement of another spin-off.
Coming hot on the heels of its recent all-star edition, I’m A Celebrity South Africa, the ITV reality competition will be back for The Wild Frontier, set in Canada.
In a twist to the usual formula, celebrities will compete in pairs, from famous duos to those with non-showbiz partners and relatives.
And it’s believed to have already found its first contestants, with Irish boyband icons Brian McFadden (Westlife) and Keith Duffy (of Boyzone fame) rumoured to be taking part.
If true, it’s been reported that they’ll earn £10,000 each for their participation.
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However, not everyone is feeling the love, with some social media users fretting that the show might risk diluting its own brand.
Sharing their thoughts on a Reddit thread, commenters have expressed their fears that I’m A Celeb might be spreading itself too thin.
‘These spin-offs are going to ruin and end the show,’ fretted Jenson2025, adding: ‘It’s definitely getting too much.’
TheYorkshireGirpper agreed: ‘They’re really milking this show dry now,’ branding it ‘pointless’ after so many seasons of the main show.
‘ITV are strapped for cash these days, so I’d rather they just focus on the main show,’ commented The-Peel.
And it’s not just the future of I’m A Celeb that fans are worried about – others stressed that this could spell doom for another reality franchise.
‘If they don’t do CBB [Celebrity Big Brother] again because of this I’m gonna be so angry,’ said itsbbplus on X, joining DanielDaleScott, who predicted: ‘No CBB then. Can see this years BBUK being the last on ITV tbh.’
However, voicing a (mostly) positive opinion, Outrageous_Hunt_4182 joked: ‘We don’t need another one… but I’ll be watching 🤣’
The show already courted controversy when the most recent series of I’m A Celebrity South Africa became mired in a bullying scandal.
In increasingly uncomfortable scenes, Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas clashed with boxer David Haye and former professional footballer Jimmy Bullard.
Making an enemy of Jimmy when they argued over his decision to give up on a Bushtucker Trial, Adam then found himself on the receiving end of David’s frustration, who accused him of having ‘soft energy.’
This all came to a head during the live final, which descended into a shouting match and left Adam at ‘the lowest of lows.’
Given the spin-off’s irregular broadcasting pattern, it’s likely that the all-star series will be shelved for several years.
According to The Sun, ITV will kick off its latest spin-off with Brian and Keith as two of its biggest stars.
A source told the tabloid: ‘Bosses are delighted that Keith and Brian will be taking part, they’ll each bring a lot of fun and mischief to the camp.
‘Everyone’s really excited about this new format; the pairs element will get everyone talking. The casting team are hopeful they can cast celebrity duos, but may also include some stars and their non-famous family members or partners.
‘Viewers will see the pairings undertake gruelling trials in the beautiful and unknown Canadian landscape and take on action-packed challenges to win food, all aiming to become the sole victorious pair.’
The publication reports that scouts for the programme have found a base in the Callaghan Valley of Whistler Olympic Park.
I’m A Celeb’s regular version is expected to continue in Australia as usual.
Brian already has strong ties to I’m A Celebrity following his marriage to Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona.
She appeared on the main show in 2004 and became the third contestant to win.
Earlier this year, it was reported that bosses had snubbed the star when it came to sending out invitations to its all-star seasons.
‘Everyone at I’m A Celeb loves Kerry, and they’ll always back her as one of the most popular winners of the show,’ a source told The Sun.
‘But times have changed, and bosses have such a fine line to tread when it comes to keeping the audience happy. Kerry will tell you herself she’s like Marmite – you either love her or you hate her!
‘There are also big hoops to jump through when it comes to who can cope in such an environment.’
They went on to share: ‘She was actually considered for the current All Stars series but not everyone was on board. Sadly, it looks like – despite her being synonymous with the show – she’ll never get a chance to do it again.’
The source said Kerry ‘had a big mouth and won’t be filtered’, a trait that was ‘something everyone loves her for’, but meant she was too high a ‘risk’ for bosses to consider.
ITV has been contacted for comment.