The cast of this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is reportedly expressing significant frustration over the recent elimination challenges. Following the conclusion of filming in late December 2026, insiders indicate that a private group chat among contestants has become a platform for anger and resentment regarding the new format of the show.
Claims of Manipulation and Controversial Challenges
According to sources, several cast members are calling the elimination challenges “pathetic” and argue that the changes unfairly impacted their chances in the competition. Insiders have shared that some contestants believe the challenges were “rigged,” a claim that Network 10 has categorically denied. A spokesperson for the network stated, “Claims that eliminations on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! are rigged are simply not true.” The network emphasized that this season’s format included campmates voting on challenges, removing any producer manipulation.
The spokesperson further explained, “What unfolds in the jungle is driven by real decisions, real dynamics, and the unpredictable nature of camp life.” Despite this reassurance, discontent among the cast has reportedly reached a boiling point.
Post-Season Meltdown in the Group Chat
The group chat has transformed into a post-season debrief, with some celebrities expressing genuine anger over what they perceive as unfair eliminations. One insider noted, “The group chat has basically turned into a post-season debrief, and some people are genuinely angry.” This frustration appears to stem from a shift in the challenges, which this season emphasized quirky performance tasks rather than traditional endurance trials.
Contestants have voiced concerns that the new challenges could eliminate participants for minor mistakes rather than showcasing their physical endurance or social gameplay. An insider described the backlash as stemming from a specific recall-based challenge, where a contestant was reportedly eliminated for failing to remember a previous conversation. This incident has been described as a pivotal moment that ignited the unrest among the cast members.
Sources claim that the eliminated celebrity felt humiliated and argued that the challenge was not a fair representation of their abilities. The insider quoted the contestant, saying, “He pointed out that plenty of the biggest names, including past winners, would’ve failed too.” This sentiment reflects broader concerns about the fairness of the new elimination format.
As the show airs, contestants are experiencing the unfolding drama in real-time alongside viewers, exacerbating feelings of frustration. “Normally, the celebs are in the jungle live and not taking notes of the way everything went down,” explained a source. “They’re reliving it week by week, bringing up feelings all over again.” This delayed broadcast has intensified scrutiny over how exits were framed and perceived by the audience.
Producers maintain that the new elimination format was designed to be entertaining, with an emphasis on compelling and surprising outcomes. However, some cast members believe that the changes have altered the season’s trajectory significantly, potentially influencing who might emerge as the winner.
While the network continues to assert that no manipulation occurred, the debate over whether the new elimination format is entertaining or unfair is likely to engage viewers as the season unfolds. With no public statements yet from cast members about their frustrations, the private group chat remains a point of intrigue and speculation.
As the season progresses, the divide among fans may intensify, as some appreciate the unpredictability while others may feel that the essence of “jungle survival” has been compromised. Only time will tell how these developments will impact the show’s reception and the contestants’ legacies.