This year's series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! is delivering its usual mix of Ant and Dec's quick wit, campmate banter, and terrifying Bushtucker Trials. However, a brewing controversy over screen time distribution has left a portion of the audience frustrated and vocal on social media.
Jungle Screen Time Sparks Viewer Backlash
Fans of the hit ITV show have taken to platforms like Reddit to express their dissatisfaction, arguing that the editing favours certain celebrities. The primary focus of their criticism is Loose Women star Kelly Brook, 46, who many feel is appearing on screen significantly more than her fellow campmates.
One viewer questioned on Reddit, 'But why are the editors so obsessed with her?' They added, 'Catching up on Saturday's show, and oh my GOD it's like nobody else is there. Kelly is in almost every shot it feels like.' The sentiment echoes a wider call for someone to officially tally the screentime, with a suspicion that the results would be highly disproportionate.
Overlooked Campmates and Camp Dynamics
This perceived imbalance has led to concerns that other celebrities are being sidelined. Many viewers feel that EastEnders star Shona McGarty, 34, is not getting a fair opportunity to showcase her personality away from her famous character, Whitney Dean.
A supporter of Shona commented, 'I couldn't believe how little Shona was shown last night... It's gutting -- I REALLY like her, I would love to be given chance to actually learn anything about her.' While some speculate her quiet nature might limit footage, others countered, 'The thing is, she's actually funny and entertaining when she actually gets air time.'
Kelly's airtime has also been amplified by a minor 'feud' with Jack Osbourne, 40, which included clashes over food preparation. Furthermore, some viewers have accused Kelly of not being a 'girls-girl,' suggesting she focuses her attention on the male campmates. A specific instance cited was when she appeared to ignore football pundit Alex Scott, 41, while trying to discuss the off-side rule with Angry Ginge.
Defence and Divided Opinions
Not all feedback has been negative. A significant number of viewers have rushed to Kelly's defence, praising her as a great campmate and compelling television. 'I like her think she’s coming across well,' one fan stated.
Others have pointed the finger at the show's editors rather than the star herself. One social media user noted, 'Keep in mind the editing crew smash to bits hours and hours to bring click-bait worthy content.' This perspective reminds audiences that the final broadcast is a curated product, representing only a tiny fraction of the round-the-clock jungle life.
The star-studded line-up also includes Martin Kemp, 64, Ruby Wax, 72, Lisa Riley, 49, Eddie Kadi, 42, Aitch, 25, Angry Ginge, 24, Vogue Williams, 40, and Tom Read Wilson, 39. As the series continues, it remains to be seen if the editing balance will shift. I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues Tuesday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
