Ant and Dec admitted they “don’t get it” after they pleaded with I’m A Celebrity viewers to stop voting for the same person to do the Bushtucker trials. Dean McCullough recently caused a stir, having already done six out of eight challenges on the ITV show.
The Geordie duo, both 49, appeared on I’m A Celebrity Unpacked and addressed contestant Dean – who was yet again picked to do another trial as he is set to leave camp to complete the next show challenge.
Ant remarked: “We find this every year when someone gets voted multiple times. You just get to a point where you think, ‘Who is still voting for Dean?’
“I don’t get it.”
Dec interjected: “I think we know how [Dean] is going to react and how he is going to do. I would like to see someone else [do the trial].”
Viewers swiftly flocked to X, formerly Twitter, as Ant and Dec’s comments sparked backlash.
One fumed, “It’s actually getting boring being Dean all the time. They should make a rule that says the same celeb can’t be picked, say, more than twice in a row, just to mix it up a bit…”
Another remarked: Really?? He doesn’t get it??? DEAN = LESS STARS for camp. Less stars = HANGRY CAMP. Hangry camp = MORE CONFLICT.”(sic)
A third said: “They shouldn’t be influencing the vote. Obviously, it’s funny Dean screaming in the tasks. Ant and Dec should know that after all these years, how the show works.”
A fourth wrote: “They’re voting for him as revenge for the way he’s acted since returning to main camp!”
“We know why, weirdly, but just change the rules so that everyone gets a go – it’s simple – it’s been like this for years and spoils it,” a fan professed.
A sixth claimed: “He understands it completely and endorses it. These two have the power to make any changes they choose. Currently there is too much harmony in camp & they don’t want harmony. Maybe they should bring in a rule that if you do a trial you’re exempt from the next, just to mix it up.”
Another added: “If they don’t like it, change the voting rules to exempt the person who did the last trial!”
During Sunday night’s episode, Ant and Dec revealed that Dean had been voted by the public to face another trial in Jack and the Screamstalk, with scenes set to air tonight.