ITV I’m A Celebrity fans furious as Ant and Dec introduce finale format change: ‘Utter woke nonsense!’
Several I’m a Celebrity fans were left outraged to discover a fan-favourite feature was missing from Sunday’s finale.
During the show, McFly singer and guitarist Danny Jones was named King of the Jungle over runners-up Coleen Rooney and Rev Richard Cole.
Viewers were dismayed to learn that an iconic I’m a Celeb Bushtucker Trial would not be undertaken by the three celebs during the final.
The Bushtucker Bonanza has long been a cornerstone of the show, challenging contestants to consume a variety of unusual delicacies.
Hosts Ant and Dec revealed the finalists would instead be taking on challenges together – rather than the individual eating ordeal.
In the past, celebs have forced down a live spider, witchetty grubs and various other unsavoury snacks in their bid for jungle glory.
Earlier this series, Cole as well as other celeb contestants faced the stomach-churning challenge in some format.
The controversial format change prompted an immediate wave of criticism on social media, with longtime fans expressing their disappointment at the break from tradition.
“No eating trial in the final?? What in the woke nonsense is this…” wrote one disgruntled fan on X.
Another viewer questioned: “Wtf where is the traditional eating trial at the end of the series which leads them to feel sick and lose their appetite for their dinner later????”
“No eating trial for the final?! Utter. Woke. Nonsense,” declared a third.
A fourth fumed: “BOOOO! Bring back the classic eating trial!”
One fan joked if I’m a Celeb had finally “run out of bugs to eat”.
“Why was there no eating trial on the final trials? Proper disappointing,” another concluded.
While most reactions were negative, some viewers supported the change to the finale format.
“Having them do the final trial together instead of individually just made sense. Good move I’m a Celeb,” wrote one supportive fan on social media.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Jay-Z denies claims he raped a 13-year-old girl in 2000: ‘Only heartbreak is for my family’Jowita Przystal issues statement after BBC Strictly exit with tribute to ‘special’ Pete WicksGregg Wallace faces fresh ‘inappropriate’ behaviour claims from A Place in the Sun star
Another wrote: “So nice to have the last trial not be an eating trial.” (sic)
After completing their trials, the three finalists were treated to a plush three-course meal – which was traditionally a queasy affair for previous contestants coming off the Bushtucker Bonanza.
Jones had a starter of mozzarella sticks with sweet chilli sauce, a buttermilk chicken burger and chips for his main course, fresh cream profiteroles with warm Nutella sauce for dessert and a cold glass of beer for his drink.
Rooney went for a starter of bruschetta, spaghetti bolognese with flaky parmesan cheese and garlic bread for her main course, fresh cream profiteroles with warm Nutella sauce for dessert and a glass of French pale Provence rose for her drink.
Cole devoured a starter of king prawn cocktail with salad, cottage pie with peas, carrots and gravy for his main course, fruit cake for dessert and Chablis Grand Cru for his drink.