For years, sharp-eyed viewers of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! have noticed a peculiar detail about the show's beloved hosts, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. Their watch faces are consistently covered with tape, sparking widespread curiosity and numerous fan theories.
The Truth Behind the Taped Watches
While some speculated it was to prevent camera glare, the actual reason is far more strategic. The official I'm A Celebrity X account has confirmed that the tape is a deliberate tactic to keep the celebrity contestants completely in the dark about the time. This practice is a key part of the jungle experience, designed to disorient the campmates and sever their connection to the outside world.
As the show's account explained, "Ant & Dec's watches are covered to stop the celebs finding out what time it is. They have no idea, as no clocks in camp." This sensory deprivation leads to more raw, unfiltered reactions from the celebrities, which is pure gold for reality television producers.
A Rule For Everyone
This time-hiding protocol isn't just for Ant and Dec. Former contestants Scarlett Moffatt and Joel Dommett revealed on I'm A Celebrity: Extra Camp back in 2017 that the rule applies to all crew members who interact with the campmates.
Scarlett Moffatt stated, "It's so the campmates don't know the time, so all the watches are covered for the people that see the campmates all the time, like Ant, Dec and Medic Bob." This ensures no one accidentally reveals the time, maintaining the illusion of timelessness within the camp.
More Jungle Secrets Unveiled
The covered watches are just one of many behind-the-scenes secrets that shape the I'm A Celebrity experience. The camp's sleeping area is equipped with a canopy to offer some protection from storms, though hosts Ant and Dec have confirmed that contestants still endure significant discomfort from sideways rain, receiving no special treatment.
Furthermore, the celebrities are under constant surveillance, with a crew always on standby for emergencies or unexpected wildlife encounters. Former campmate Dean McCullough once recalled a vigilant staff member pulling him away from a fire while he was half-asleep.
Kemi Rodgers, who is back for her second series of the companion show I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked, recently shared insights into what the iconic hosts are like off-camera. She told the Mirror that Ant and Dec are exactly as they appear on screen: "They are as nice, as jokey, as funny with each other and everyone else as they are on TV." She described the experience of working with them as a "dream come true," praising their consistent humour and authenticity.
