I’m A Celeb bosses ‘ban politicians from appearing on the ITV show’ following controversial signings including Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! bosses have reportedly banned politicians from the ITV show.

After a number of controversial signings including former Health Minister Matt Hancock and ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage, show bosses are said to be keen to avoid including any more politicians in the line-up.

A source told The Mirror: ‘In the past it’s been really interesting to see which politicians are willing to join the show, with some even serving MPs. But this year, with an election looming, it doesn’t feel like the right moment for that. 

‘Coming on top of Farage not helping to pull in the punters last year, and Ant and Dec making it clear they want a change, this year it’s a case of avoid, avoid, avoid. 

‘It’s time for something different so it’s fair to say no one is seeking any controversial figures from the world of politics at this stage.’

However, when MailOnline approached ITV for comment, the shows spokesperson said: ‘I’m A Celebrity has always featured a diverse cast from all areas of public life and has a history of featuring political figures throughout its 23 series on air. 

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! bosses have reportedly banned politicians from the ITV show

After a number of controversial signings including former Health Minister Matt Hancock and ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage (pictured), show bosses are said to be keen to avoid including any more politicians in the line-up

‘There are no plans for this to change when the series returns to screens this year.’

When hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were asked if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could be a potential future campmate, Dec said: ‘I think we do a year without any politicians.’

Ant added: ‘Agreed, agreed, agreed.’ 

I’m a Celeb bookers have been told to ‘avoid political figures’ after the hit show saw a ratings slump during Nigel’s stint in the Jungle.

The order to ditch the politicians has come from ITV bosses after a lot of viewers chose to skip last year’s edition of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 

The 2023 final saw viewing figures plummet by 4million with an average of just 6.6million people tuning in compared to 10.1million in 2022.

ITV bosses believe that the slump in viewing figures is due to the recent inclusion of controversial politicians in the line-up of celebrities.

When hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were asked if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could be a potential future campmate, Dec said: ‘I think we do a year without any politicians.’

Politicians have become a staple of the I’m a Celeb cast in recent years. Other politicians who have taken part include veteran Tory Edwina Currie, Lib Dem Lembit Öpik and former leader of Scottish Labour Kezia Dugdale.

Nadine Dorries famously took part in the 2012 edition of the show where she was the first to be voted out of the jungle. Then Prime Minister suspended Ms Dorries from the Conservative Party for taking part in the show while she was a sitting MP.

ITV have been approached by MailOnline for a comment.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that former I’m A Celebrity host Holly Willoughby has been approached by Netflix for a new jungle-based series.

Holly previously co-hosted one series of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity in 2018 alongside Declan Donnelly, temporarily taking the place of Dec’s regular co-presenter Ant McPartlin.

The former This Morning presenter is thought to be wanted by the streaming giant to front a new show, which will star explorer Bear Grylls.

A source told The Sun newspaper: ‘Bear is working with a production company for Netflix. They want Holly to host.

‘A group of celebrities will be put into a jungle where they will have to tackle a series of challenges.’

In the series, contestants are expected to be pitted against Bear.

The source added: ‘If they lose, they’ll have to pit their wits against Bear, who will be hunting them down.

‘It’s a really exciting concept and Bear is totally on board. Now they have Holly in their sights to host it.

‘She is very glamorous and an accomplished host.

‘Holly is open to offers. She won’t be rushing into anything and will be carefully cherry-picking her next projects.