Secrets of I’m A Celeb contracts as star claims bosses have ‘absolute control’
The fallout of the latest series of I'm A Celebrity all-stars series continues to rumble on, almost a week after Emmerdale star Adam Thomas was crowned winner, and now more secrets of contracts are starting to emerge
Adam Thomas won the latest series of I’m A Celebrity…South Africa but the fallout from the dramatic series continues to rumble on(Image: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock)
The latest series of I’m A Celebrity…South Africa was nothing short of eventful – and almost a week after ex Emmerdale star Adam Thomas emerged victorious from the all-stars edition of Ant and Dec’s reality survival show, still the fallout continues following that explosive final.
The whole series was pre-recorded, so by the time the celebs reached the live final, they had seen the drama play out between Adam and boxer David Haye, who accused the soap star of using his arthritis condition to get out of doing Bushtucker Trials and then publicly declared him a “professional victim.” Adam was also at the centre of another row in which footballer Jimmy Bullard opted to leave the programme completely when they were paired up together for a challenge.
During the final, Jimmy was insistent that Adam was “aggressive” and “intimidating”, and blasted ITV for not showing the full clip, leading to a clash with Ant as Gemma Collins and Sinitta stormed off stage. Despite Jimmy’s claims, ITV have said that what was shown on air was a “fair and accurate” depiction of what happened.
Gemma Collins and Sinitta stormed off during the explosive piece of television(Image: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock)
Following the on-screen drama a source close to one of the campmates has told The Sun: “This star felt they were being reminded about what is included in their contracts. They said it felt like a rap over the knuckles.”
Giving insight into the watertight contracts the famous faces sign, they went on: “[Contestants] shall not at any time (without the specific prior consent of the ITV press and publicity team) knowingly divulge, publish any information in connection with this Agreement, the Programme, its production and exploitation, the Services, the other participants in the Programme, or trade secrets etc.”
The outlet’s source said the former campmate insisted the show has “absolute discretion and control” over the output.
All this comes amid claims that David is set to sue the broadcaster for up to £10 million, claiming that the edit has caused “irreparable damage to his brand.” This was only the second time that the all-stars format was aired, and came three years after former contestant Myleene Klass was named the first Jungle Legend, but there was no public vote at that point as it was all filmed in advance.
Jimmy spoke about the specifics of his contract(Image: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock)
The I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! franchise all began in 2002 and, since then, the programme has seen stars like Kerry Katona, Katie Price, and Helen Flanagan all live in less-than-luxurious conditions in the Australian outback.
Over the years, little has been known about the ins and outs of contracts that contestants sign, although various details about record-breaking salaries have emerged.
In 2024, it was rumoured that Coleen Rooney had been paid £1.5 million for her jungle stint following the infamous Wagatha Christie trial, whilst Nigel Farage was reportedly paid a seven-figure sum the year before. Last year, it was reported that rapper Aitch was walking away with a £250,000 fee, supposedly making him the highest-paid star of the series.
But what has long since been said to be a major part of the contract is what is known as the 72-hour rule, meaning that all contestants must remain in the jungle for at least three days in order to receive their fee, otherwise they could walk away with nothing.
This time around, new details of the contract emerged as Jimmy Bullard claimed when he quit the trial, he had to leave the programme there and then in order to avoid losing out on the majority of his fee. Explaining it all during the live final, he said: “If I go home and call Adam back with me., I get full pay.
“Now, it’s all a job for us. It’s a job for me. And that money is big for me and my family. If I, stay in, and go back [to camp] and pull the plug, I get a small percentage of that. I made my mind up in that light bulb moment. I’m going home. I have to go home for personal reasons. That’s why I took Adam then all hell breaks.”
