I’m A Celeb fans defend harsh criticism over ‘a cast of nobodies’

Fans of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me out of Here have defended the show as ITV faces criticism for having an ‘unknown’ lineup.

On November 11, the celebrity cast of the ITV reality show was announced and fans were delighted to learn which famous faces would be taking part in the bushtucker trials.

It was revealed that the cast would include the likes of NDubz’s Tulisa Contostavlos, Coleen Rooney, Barry McGuigan, Danny Jones, Melvin O’Doom, Oti Mabuse, Alan Halsall, Jane Moore, GK Barry and Dean McCullough.

While the names may be familiar to UK viewers, some fans on Twitter suggested they had no idea who the castmembers were.

‘Do they mean that they will become celebrities AFTER the show? I don’t know any of them,’ said PetrAnto12 on X.

‘Celebrity? who are these people,’ asked Heavenslt.

‘Now, I understand I’m not from the UK but why do I recognize literally nobody,’ commented 106th.

‘A cast of nobodies,’ PaulCastlePCA added.

While not everyone might have been impressed by the cast, British viewers were quick to defend the show and suggest that the lineup was ‘the best they’d seen in a while.’

‘The non brits going ‘where’s the celebs’ is so funny😭 it’s a british show, ofc you’re not going to know the guy from corrie, a strictly dancer and the dude from mcfly like😭😭,’ LMIXTEARS commented.

‘One of the best line ups I’ve seen in a while tbh,’ xxixvi added.

‘That line up for I’m a celeb is serious, I will be sat! #ImACeleb,’ said Gloglo_xo.

‘Like we have little celebs here bc our population is about 1/4 of america’s 😭 this line up is probably one of the most famous in a while. and gk barry will carry 🩷 i don’t normally watch i’m a celeb coz idk anyone but we will be tuned in for GK,’ said AddiSpotify.

It has been reported that securing 38-year-old Coleen on the show cost ITV £5 million, beating the £1.5million sum Nigel Farage asked for to appear in the show.

Coleen explained why she wanted to take part in the show: ‘Over the years, there have been different things going on in my life and also, my children have been really young. But they are at an age now where I can go away for this length of time.

‘I also feel it’s time to have a challenge for me and do something different. It has taken many, many years but I’m finally doing it. And I have always said if I was going to do one – then it would be this show. I think it will be good for me.’

Coleen also recently shut down claims that she wouldn’t be able to properly participate because of a chronic illness.

On her Instagram Stories, Coleen said: ‘There’s been a lot of news saying I can’t do trials because of certain illnesses, but I can confirm I can do every trial so I’m not excluded for any. That was just a load of rubbish.’