The truth behind I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here: Do the contestants just eat rice and beans? Is the jungle a set?

Virgin Radio

16 Jul 2023, 08:55

The BAFTA award-winning show will be returning for its 23rd series this month and fans are feeling the hype!

Every year, millions of people love to watch famous faces take part in revolting challenges on ITV1’s reality show, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, which this year will launch on Sunday 19th November at 9pm.

But how real is it? What is it actually like for the contestants? And are they even in a jungle at all?

What do the celebrities eat?

According to DJ Roman Kemp who went on the show in 2019, each campmate is given a portion of rice and a portion of beans every morning, which has to last them 24 hours.

The contestants reportedly eat around 700 calories a day, which is a staggeringly low amount compared to the general recommended intake of 2,000-2,500 calories per day.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan, TV personality Hugo Taylor revealed the cast of series 12 had to be given electrolytes because they were “wasting away” and “couldn’t move”.

The Made in Chelsea star recalled: “Producers came in with a bag of orange powder which was electrolytes.

“I put some in my drink and it was like taking pure adrenaline. I was running around like a child on Coca-Cola.

“I couldn’t stop moving and then I immediately crashed afterwards”, Taylor added. “But they were like, ‘We have to give them something’."

Is the jungle a set?

Since I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here began in 2002, we have always been told that the contestants are sent into the jungle.

However, this is actually false as the programme is filmed in Springbrook National Park, a subtropical rainforest.

It is rumoured that a retractable roof covers the camp from torrential rain and although it does not stop the beds from getting wet, it does prevent the campfire from going out so the celebrities can stay warm.

How much are the celebrities paid?

According to The Sun, musician Boy George received “more than £800,000” for appearing on I’m A Celebrity in 2022.

This made him the best-paid contestant in the show’s 21-year history.

Before this, Deal or No Deal host, Noel Edmonds, was the highest-paid star on the show.

Despite being the last celebrity to arrive and the first to leave, the 74-year-old still received a £600k paycheck.

What can the celebrities take with them?

Apparently, celebrities are only allowed to take three pairs of underwear and three pieces of swimwear with them.

The contestants are also restricted from taking books and food, which explains why they are always bored and hungry.

The stars of series one were even banned from bringing deodorant, but this rule was quickly scrapped after the crew kept complaining about how bad they smelt.

Can the contestants talk to their families whilst they are in the jungle… or should I say rainforest?

The contestants are not allowed to have any contact with the outside world when they are on the show.

But they have been known to come up with small gestures that communicate secret messages to their loved ones.

During the 2022 series, Hollyoaks star Owen Warner was spotted making a heart shape with his hands for his mum Polly, who was watching at home.

Speaking to The Sun, Warner explained: “I will give her a little one of these [makes a half heart with his hand].

“It is half a love heart and she does the other half.”

Want to find out when I'm A Celebrity will be returning and where it will be set? Here is everything we know so far about the upcoming series.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here will air on ITV1 from Sunday 19th November.