The jungle is about to get much more competitive as I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! returns to ITV on Sunday night with a fresh batch of famous faces braving the Australian wilderness. This year's lineup features everything from football legends to social media stars, all competing for the crown - and some substantial paychecks.
The Salary Leak: Who's Earning What
According to exclusive information obtained by The Sun, this year's celebrity campmates are set to bank significant sums for their jungle stint, with one unexpected star taking home more than double the lowest-paid participant.
Starting at the bottom of the pay scale, comedian Eddie Kadi is reportedly earning £75,000 for his appearance. Close behind is Loose Women star and former Page 3 model Kelly Brook, who is thought to be receiving £80,000.
In the mid-range, several celebrities are reportedly earning £95,000 each, including Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp, actress and comedian Ruby Wax, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, and EastEnders icon Shona McGarty.
Moving up the scale, football influencer Morgan Burtwhistle (known online as Angry Ginge) and former Lioness footballer Alex Scott are both said to be receiving £100,000 for their participation.
Media personality Jack Osbourne, son of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, is reportedly banking an impressive £200,000 for his jungle adventure.
Topping the earnings chart is rapper Aitch, who is thought to be this year's highest-paid celebrity with a whopping £250,000 fee for his appearance.
Jungle Gets Tougher: New Rules and Challenges
ITV bosses have introduced several changes to make this year's edition the 'toughest' yet, ensuring celebrities 'fight more' and 'earn their keep' rather than 'sitting back in the shadows'.
In a significant departure from tradition, the beloved 'luxury item' feature has been removed. Instead, celebrities can earn a framed picture of someone of their choice during challenges, keeping them 'on their toes'.
Show executive producer Olly Nash told the Daily Mail: 'It's a tough and gruelling show, and there's nothing wrong with driving that home. We need to see more celebrities earning their keep, that's the most important thing.'
Nash emphasised that this year's contestants will face more challenges than ever before, with producers determined to prevent anyone from fading into the background. 'No longer can they be just sitting on the beds in the back, they are going to have to step up to the challenge and face the music,' he warned.
New Features and Safety Measures
The launch show introduces a new element called the Getaway Car, where the first ten celebrities are split into two groups. The first two in each group to complete challenges including wading through fish guts will be rewarded with a seat in the Getaway Car complete with champagne, transporting them to camp where more comfortable beds await.
The remaining contestants from each group will travel in the less desirable 'Coco van'.
In response to viewer feedback from last year, producers have implemented a new rule preventing celebrities from being voted for consecutive trials. If a campmate has faced two trials in a row, they become exempt from the following public vote.
This change comes after last year's situation where Dean McCullough was voted for seven Bushtucker Trials consecutively, prompting viewers to call for a 'trial limit' on social media.
Camp life has also been made more challenging, with basic comforts becoming harder to obtain. For example, if a contestant wants a bath, two campmates must cycle on a tandem bike to pump water.
Adding to the jungle dangers, producers have reported seeing 'more snakes than any other year in the show's history,' with Nash noting he'd encountered 'huge great pythons almost as long as this log' during the build phase.
This year marks a departure from 2024's more tame lineup, which included Coleen Rooney and McFly's Danny Jones following a strict 'no politician' rule. Instead, 2025 promises more drama as celebrities battle not just the elements and creatures, but each other in what could be the most competitive series yet.
