I’m A Celebrity hosts Ant and Dec have confessed their ‘disappointment’ with campmate Dean McCullough after Tuesday’s episode (November 19).
The Radio 1 presenter was selected by public vote to undertake the latest Bushtucker Trial, known as The Sinister Sarcophagus.
Dean became the first participant of the series to utter the phrase “I’m a celebrity get me out of here” to stop the task, despite managing to secure maximum stars, each representing a meal for the camp.
Ant and Dec have now expressed their disappointment over Dean’s inability to complete what was also labelled as the ‘easiest task’ of the show.
The former SM:TV Live hosts made these remarks while featuring on the newly revamped companion show on ITV, I’m A Celebrity Unpacked, reports OK!.
They were discussing the events of the latest episode with Joel Dommett, Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers, admitting they wished viewers at home could have seen the full trial.
Dec commented: ‘We are genuinely disappointed because you are prepared to do the whole trial and you want to see the whole thing. There’s a lot of time gone into the trials so when it’s called early your like, ‘oh.’.
“But on the other side were like oh bit of an early finish, lets get out and get a suntan.”
Ant added: “That’s why we continued to ask him some questions after because we were really enjoying it. ‘.
The hosts were asked about the crew’s reaction, who put in extensive preparation and sometimes even test the trials themselves, and if they find it frustrating when things don’t go as planned.
Ant said: “Yeah there are loads of people that have built the trial and come up with it, they just want to see it done properly.”
“Even in the past when we’ve had people not go through with it we’ve sometime bought the trials back because we want them to be seen.”
Dean’s trial got off to a shaky start before it even began; upon learning he was chosen for the challenge, he queried what a Sarcophagus was. His anxiety wasn’t eased when it was described to him as a big coffin, leading him to admit to his campmates: “That was the one thing I said I didn’t want to do.”
Upon arrival at the Trial area, Dean was faced with a mummy figurine into which he would be locked for the duration of the trial, answering Egypt-themed questions.
For every correct answer, a star would descend, which he had to release using only his mouth within 30 seconds. Dean couldn’t hide his feelings, remarking to Ant and Dec: “You’re so extra this series, so extra! ” He also mentioned: “I went to Egypt years ago, but I wasn’t paying attention.”
As he stepped into the sarcophagus, Dean confessed: “This is my worst nightmare because I can’t get out.”
Once the trial commenced, sand began filling the body compartment, and mealworms and crickets were dumped into the head compartment.
After acing two questions and securing his stars, it all became too much for Dean. Overwhelmed by the pressure, he burst out with the legendary line: “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! “.
Viewers were quick to react to Dean’s abrupt end to the trial, with many airing their thoughts on social channels, foreseeing a challenging time ahead for him.
On X, one viewer remarked: “Dean the weasel. More voting for him”, while another mentioned: “Oh Dean get ready for a few more trials.”
Another chimed in: “Probably the easiest trial in I’m a celeb history! Dean is definitely going to be up for every trial now! “.
True to their word, predictions about Dean’s fate on the show have been spot on, as he finds himself set to face yet another task alongside fellow contestant GK Barry in an upcoming trial ominously named Drown in the Dumps.
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.