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SWUNG THE VOTE
I’m A Celebrity set for major shake-up after TV watchdog warned ‘we will come down on them like a ton of bricks’
I’m A Celebrity was the most-watched entertainment programme last year, ahead of Strictly Come Dancing
I’M A Celebrity bosses have ditched plans to cast another politician after rules around airtime during a General Election made the stunt virtually impossible.
ITV execs had already felt sending another MP into Ant and Dec’s jungle was “highly doubtful” after backlash to Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage’s appearances.
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But new guidance issued by TV regulator Ofcom ahead of the official polls has swung the vote for good.
Last year show chiefs failed in tempting former Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a big money fee after Matt Hancock’s surprising second place run in 2021, but ended up signing Nigel Farage.
A source said: “It was already highly doubtful that another political type would be cast for I’m A Celeb after the backlash last time, particularly to Farage but also the kickback to Hancock.
“They also change up the playbook every year to keep things fresh.
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“The timings of the General Election are just too much of a headache and it was the final straw.
“Of course, casting is in its early stages and never say never, but they are extremely unlikely to go down that road.”
I’m A Celebrity was the most-watched entertainment programme last year, ahead of Strictly Come Dancing.
Some viewers vowed to turn off over Brexiteer Nigel Farage’s place on the cast.
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Hancock had the Tory whip suspended after joining the ITV series.
Political names including Liz Truss had remained in the frame for 2024, but regulations mean PM Rishi Sunak must dissolve Parliament for an election by December 17.
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ITV usually sends its A-listers Down Under in mid-November.
Ofcom has warned TV and radio stations could face fines if they break impartiality rules during election campaigning.
Cristina Nicolotti Squires of the watchdog said: “If broadcasters want to take the risk of having a high-profile politician, who’s not standing for a seat hosting a programme, they’re going to have to work bloody hard to make sure that those programmes are duly impartial.
“And we will come down on them like a ton of bricks [if they aren’t].”
The source added: “Any Westminster-type will find it impossible not to stray into politics under questioning from fellow campmates and it would be nigh-on impossible to stay neutral on air.
“It’s a headache they don’t need to risk, especially as there are loads of celebrities who are not MPs that want to be on the show.
“Producers are really excited this year by some of the big names that have already shown interest.”
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So far Coronation Street star Alan Halsall has been linked to this year’s series.
A spokesman for ITV said: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity are speculation.”