I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! viewers have made up their minds on who they want to be booted out of the jungle first, and it seems a case of too much screen time has led to this backlash.
The 2024 series of ITV‘s hit reality show saw audiences quickly warm to the lively and cheerful radio personality Dean McCullough.
The 33-year-old immediately captured attention with his reactions during tasks, with his terrified yelps providing huge entertainment and resulting in him being chosen for nearly every trial.
But Dean’s constant selection for trials has unintentionally caused other stars to be pushed into the background, receiving far less exposure.
This has prompted viewers to suggest that Dean should be the first to leave, allowing others to step into the spotlight.
Social media has been abuzz with calls for the Northern Irish presenter to be the first evicted from the camp, with one viewer writing: “Can we all collectively agree that dean must leave the jungle first #ImACeleb #imacelebrity.”
Another agreed: “Sick sore and tired of people voting Dean. Vote him out yes when the time comes but I’m sick of the sight of him, give someone else a go.”
A third added: “How long until Dean can be voted out? He’s making an entertaining show unbearable every time he’s on screen.”
There’s also been a shift in sentiment towards Dean after he had a confrontation with Coronation Street‘s Alan Halsall. Alan riled Dean with a request to help Jane Moore gather wood.
The radio host sharply retorted: “Listen to me. If you’re gonna wake me up, you need to give me a minute, alright?
“It takes a couple of minutes for my contact lenses to get back working again, alright, so you don’t need to turn around to me and say ‘Do you not fancy it? OK?’ And then turn around and walk away.”
Speaking on I’m A Celebrity Unpacked, Ant McPartlin also admitted he would like to see another celebrity take on the trial.
“This is not a personal thing. It’s not about Dean,” Ant insisted. “It’s about us, just seeing different people down there.”
He continued: “I think we want to see different people on the show doing [trials]. Some people are, unfortunately, aren’t getting… I’d like to see Barry do a trial. I’d like to see Melvin down there. Or Oti… Who is still voting for Dean? I don’t get it.”
Ant’s relationship with Dean has been frosty since the show began, with the Britain’s Got Talent presenter admitting to acting “unprofessional” during a trial.
However, Ant seems to be softening towards the Radio 1 DJ as he congratulated Dean and shook his hand after he successfully won nine stars in Absolute Carnage with Coleen Rooney.