Ant and Dec are ready to welcome this year’s celebrity cohort to the I’m a Celeb jungle, in the first trailer for the show’s forthcoming season.
On Friday (20 October), ITV released a one-minute clip announcing the return of the long-running British survival reality TV series this autumn.
The satiricial trailer shared on ITV’s YouTube channel follows the show’s presenters Ant and Dec – real names Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly – dressed as employees of a luxury resort they prepare “The Jungle Retreat” for the arrival of this season’s star participants.
“Come away with us, far, far away, into the heart of a tropical jungle. Dream beneath the stars. Savour exotic cuisine – unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before,” a voiceover intones, over visuals of Ant and Dec preparing the different jungle “treats” that participants will have to stomach during the bushtucker trials.
In the past, these dishes have included the genitals of various animals, along with crickets, cockroaches, and several other varieties of creepy-crawlies consumed live or specially prepared.
“Surrender yourself to the ultimate jungle experience,” the narrator continues, as the show’s beloved hosts dump live worms into bathtubs and burn sage around the “hotel” premises in anticipation of its guests.
“You deserve this,” the voiceover ominously teases. “We’ll give you the full celebrity treatment.”
As of the show’s 22nd season which aired last year, 254 celebrities have participated on the show, including English presenter Joe Swash, former couple Peter Andre and Katie Price, Christopher Biggins, former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona, Coronation Street actor Helen Flanagan, English footballer Jill Scott, and, perhaps most controversially, former health secretary Matt Hancock.
Hancock entered the competition as a late contestant in the 2022 season, months after he resigned when he was caught breaking Covid social distancing rules laid out by his department, by having an affair with his former aide Gina Coladangelo.
His participation prompted criticism from notable politicians, including the prime minister, as well as families of those who died during the pandemic – with several people urging viewers to boycott his appearance on the show.
The 45-year-old MP ended up coming third in the finale, behind Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner and 2022 winner Scott.
“I knew going in it would be controversial but I also know millions of people have voted for me,” Hancock previously said, reflecting on his decision to be part of the show.
