The highly anticipated launch of the new I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! series on Sunday night was overshadowed by a major technical failure that left a legion of fans frustrated and unable to participate.
Viewer Voting Chaos
Shortly after the programme began on Sunday 17 November 2024, viewers across the UK encountered significant problems with the official voting application. The issue, which sparked a wave of complaints on social media, prevented audiences from casting their votes for the first Bushtucker trial of the series.
Many users reported specific difficulties with the phone number verification process, a crucial step required to confirm their votes. This widespread glitch meant that a substantial portion of the audience was silenced for the debut episode's key interactive element.
Jungle Drama Unfolds
Despite the technical difficulties behind the scenes, the show went on within the jungle. The ten new celebrity campmates were officially introduced, and the first challenge participants were announced.
Comedian Ruby Wax and YouTuber Angry Ginge were selected to face the inaugural eating challenge, with Wax also being shown grappling with snakes in her first jungle task. The camp's initial dynamics began to unfold, providing the traditional mix of humour and apprehension that fans expect.
Additional Fan Discontent
The voting app failure was not the only point of contention for loyal viewers of the ITV reality show. Some fans also voiced their dissatisfaction with the programme's revamped title sequence.
The new introduction has done away with the classic, familiar letters that traditionally spelled out the show's name, opting instead for a new design featuring stars. This change was met with a mixed reaction from the audience, adding to the sense of a rocky start for the new series.
While the production team has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the app malfunction or the title sequence feedback, the debut episode has certainly generated significant conversation online, albeit for reasons beyond the jungle antics themselves.
