Barry McGuigan, 63, sparks concern as ITV I’m A Celebrity star quietly pulls out of trial ahead of public vote
Barry McGuigan, 63, has left I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! fans bemused after failing to appear in a preview clip for tonight’s Bushtucker Trial.
During Thursday’s episode on ITV, McGuigan was keen to nominate himself to take part in the latest trial alongside campmate Oti Mabuse.
Titled Tanks of Torture, McGuigan would’ve been required to have his body submerged in water – along with unwelcome visitors – while his head would’ve been kept above water in its own tank, again with the addition of creepy crawlies.
However, the boxer was nowhere to be seen in the trial area as Melvin Odoom stepped in to replace him in scenes that will air on Friday night.
Joel Dommett, the host of I’m A Celeb spin-off show Unpacked, first confirmed the news on Thursday evening.
He told ITV2 viewers: “News just in people… I can now tell you the camp has managed their minds and now Oti and Melvin will be doing the next trial.
The Campmates have decided, Oti and Melvin will be facing Tanks of Torture in tomorrow night’s show 🤿 #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/3AXhS1evxK
— I’m A Celebrity… (@imacelebrity) November 28, 2024
“They changed from Barry to Melvin. That’s great, we’ll get to see Melvin do a trial!”
On Friday morning, ITV released a first-look clip at Odoom and Mabuse in action during the trial as Ant and Dec watch on while spiders are dumped onto the campmates’ heads.
After learning McGuigan was no longer taking part, social media users soon targeted the show’s X account to voice their concerns.
“What happened to Barry?” one user was quick to ask alongside an angry emoji.
“Barry pulled out? Pretty sure it was him and Oti?” a second concern fan asked before a third hit out: “This is BS, I was excited when Barry volunteered, I finally thought this was his #RedemptionTrial and now I’m angry and disappointed.”
Elsewhere, a fourth theorised: “For people thinking it was Barry not Melvin, if you haven’t watched tonight’s unpacked they revealed Melvin would do it instead, maybe medical reasons.”
And a fifth questioned: “Wait I thought Barry was doing it?”
Luckily for fans, they needn’t be worried for McGuigan as it turns out there was a simple reason for the change.
In Friday’s episode, fans will see how Odoom asks McGuigan if he can take part in the trial as he hasn’t had the opportunity to do one yet.
According to ITV, McGuigan is “happy to oblige” having already taken part in some of the challenges so far in this series.
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While the trial will undoubtedly be a talking point in Friday’s episode, fans will also find out who’ll be the first celeb booted from the camp.
Ant and Dec confirmed on Thursday that the vote was open for fans to pick their favourite contestant via the I’m A Celeb app.
Luckily for McGuigan, his chances of remaining in the jungle look rather promising – although the same can’t be said for Loose Women star Jane Moore.
According to the team at Gambling.com, Moore is currently priced at Evens to be sent home.
However, as betting expert James Leyfield explained: “If Jane survives, then Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom could be doomed instead.
“He is just 6/5 to be booted off the show first, while Barry McGuigan and Tulisa Contostavlos are both 2/1 chances.”