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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

I'm A Celebrity's biggest earners ever as Matt Hancock 'pockets £400k' for jungle stint

Some stars need an awful lot of cash to be tempted away from their pampered lives and hang out with creepy crawlies and snakes in an Australian jungle while the I'm a Celebrity cameras roll.

However, some big names get far more dough than others, with ITV bosses clearly hoping their star power and entertainment value will pull in viewers.

This year's most controversial contestant- Conservative MP and former health secretary Matt Hancock, is reportedly being paid around £400,000 for the gig, which is said to make him one of highest paid campmates in history.

A political ally close to Hancock, who had to quit his Government position after his affair with an aide was exposed, said the MP will be will be making a donation to charity from his earnings.

Matt Hancock has landed in Australia for I'm a Celeb (Credit / Daily Star)
The MP is reportedly being paid around £400,000 for going on the show (Credit / Daily Star)

Following the news of the MP's huge fee, we've taken a look at some of the biggest earners in the history of the show.

Noel Edmonds

ITV thought they'd struck gold when they managed to sign up former Deal or No Deal host Noel for I'm A Celeb in 2018. However, they had to shell out a pretty hefty amount for the pleasure, with the presenter said to be paid £600,000 to enter the show.

Noel is covered in creepy crawlies during a challenge (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Noel was parachuted in a few days after the main group of celebs, appearing as a grand emperor during his first appearance on TV screens. However, things didn't last for Noel and he was voted out after just nine days on the programme.

Admitting that he was shocked to be out so early, Noel explained after his exit: "When it happened I was surprised but then it dawned on me that I was going to be with [wife] Liz."

Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner with her I'm a Celeb campmates (ITV/REX)

Olympian and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner scored a £500,000 fee when she starred in the 2019 season.

Caitlyn, whose offspring includes Kylie and Kendall Jenner, went far in the competition, and broke down in tears as she spoke to hosts Ant & Dec in the studio after her exit.

She said: "I can't believe I've made it all the way to three weeks and I hate to leave them with just a day and a half to go."

Richard Madeley

Richard had to leave I'm a Celebrity early (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

TV presenter Richard was reportedly paid a whopping £200,000 for I'm a Celeb last year and bosses predicted he would be a "nailed-on fan favourite".

His signing was hailed as a "fantastic coup" but all did not to go plan, as Richard had to leave the show early.

After feeling briefly unwell in the camp, the star was taken to hospital as a precaution but as a result his Covid bubble was broken and he couldn't return to the series, which was filmed in North Wales due to the pandemic.

In a statement on Instagram, Richard said he was "gutted" to be leaving as he thanked everyone for their support during his brief journey on the show.

Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp, pictured with Fleur East, won over the nation on I'm A Celeb (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

King of the Jungle Harry Redknapp was offered a sizeable £500,000 to enter the jungle. Harry eventually was crowed the winner of the ITV show in 2018, so bosses definitely got their money's worth with the former football manager.

It is believed he shelled out his hefty pay cheque on spoiling his family, including beloved wife Sandra. The pair had one of the most heartwarming moments of the series when Sandra entered the jungle to see Harry, just days before the final.

"As a football family, Christmas has always had to play second fiddle for Harry and Sandra," a source explained at the time, "Family is important but football is their living. Now Harry is retired he is desperate to make up for lost time."

Katie Price

Katie on I'm a Celeb in 2009, since years on from her first appearance (ITV / Rex Features)

Model Katie Price has been the only person so far to enter the jungle twice. She appeared in 2004, where she met and fell in love with her now ex-husband Peter Andre. She also returned to the jungle five years later in 2009.

But ITV did have to pay for the privilege, with Katie earning a whopping £450,000 for her time in the show.

She is believed to have out-earned every other celebrity that year, and by quite a lot - as the others were on just £65,000 each in comparison.

Amir Khan

There was outrage when Amir Khan and Iain Lee ate all the strawberries intended for their campmates in the 2017 series (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Boxer Amir Khan was said to be paid £400,00 for his jungle stint in 2017, in which he was the seventh celeb to be eliminated.

The sportsman has spoken fondly of his time on I'm a Celeb, saying previously: “I enjoyed it, It’s of the best thing I ever did, going in the jungle, being away from everyone, being focused, focusing on you and what you want to do in life.

"I didn’t have other voices telling me what to do. I was thinking for myself. I loved it, honestly.

"The team I had around me was amazing. Dennis Wise and Rebekah Vardy and Jamie Lomas.

"They were all amazing. Everyone was great and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had - apart from seeing spiders and snakes and s***.”

Amir's time on the show was not without controversy and will be remembered mostly for when he and fellow campmate Iain Lee ate all the strawberries they had won for the contestants in a challenge.

Although it was Amir's idea, he later through Iain under the bus for it, later apologising to him in an awkward appearance on Good Morning Britain.

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