Angry Ginge To Avoid Controversial I’m a Celeb Trial After Bosses Ban It
Angry Ginge is set to avoid a controversial Bushtucker Trial as he prepares to enter the jungle.
The social media star, whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle, is one of 12 celebrities taking part in this year's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
Following the success of GK Barry's appearance on last year's show, ITV were reportedly keen to include another social media star in this year's line-up, according to The Sun.
However, Angry Ginge will not have to take part in one of the show's most infamous Bushtucker Trials after ITV bosses banned it in 2019.
Advert
They decided to stop campmates from consuming live insects during challenges, following criticism from wildlife experts and animal charities.
Instead, celebrities are only served dead insects as part of the gag-worthy challenges.
Last year, a source told BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat: “I’m A Celebrity producers have taken a look at the trials and decided that no live critters would be eaten in the trials this year.
“They have been planning this for some time and actually last year beach worms were the only critters eaten live but this time around they’ve decided to implement the change fully and permanently.”
BBC nature presenter Chris Packham, who has hosted Springwatch since 2009, was among the most vocal critics of the challenge.
He said: “What’s long concerned me about the programme is that it portrays animals in the wrong way.
"There was never any ambiguity that eating live invertebrates was abuse and also exploitation for entertainment.”
Angry Ginge has already emerged as the early bookmakers' favourite to win the show, thanks in part to his huge followings on YouTube and Twitch.
Despite that, he appears to have already broken one of the show's biggest rules before arriving at the camp, by speaking to three of his fellow contestants.
Speaking after he arrived at Brisbane Airport, he said: "I got a random phone call last night from Kelly Brook saying she’s 'coming to visit her auntie Sheila, do I want to join her?'
"So, I said, ‘I might as well’.
"Then Lisa Riley rings me and says she’s doing Dingles Down Under, do I want to join her? I said, 'I might as well'.
"Then Aitch said he’s going on tour so I said I’ll join him as well.
"And then Aitch’s mum rings me and says, 'I’ve got two weeks in Australia I’ve just won on the Postcode Lottery, do I want to join her?'
"I said, 'I might as well!'"
The new series, which runs for three weeks, kicks off on Sunday, November 16.
Topics: Im a Celebrity, Angry Ginge
James Taylor