Despite I’m A Celebrity South Africa being a huge hit, it won’t be returning for another three years. The shocking live finale on Friday night had millions of viewers glued to their screens, with a fiery clash that left fans reeling.
A major fallout between contestants Adam Thomas and Jimmy Bullard led to a string of accusations and heated arguments, resulting in a chaotic conclusion. Actor Adam Thomas emerged victorious, but his win came only after ex-footballer Jimmy accused him of unfair treatment, claiming the show’s editing didn’t reflect the true events. The tension was so intense that security had to step in to protect show host Ant McPartlin, as Jimmy reportedly tried to approach him following the confrontation.
Despite the finale’s sensational ratings, ITV confirmed that the All Stars show, which first aired in 2023, will not return as an annual event. The network’s plan had always been to treat it as a special show, not an ongoing series like the original I’m A Celebrity.
An insider from ITV revealed: “The aim was never for it to be on air in 2027, even though there’s now a clear appetite for more. The idea was to deliver something special, not a yearly revival like the main show.”
The finale was watched by nearly 2.8 million people, making it one of the most-watched programs of the night. When catch-up figures are added, that number is expected to rise even higher. ITV is satisfied with the success of the series, despite the dramatic fallout that overshadowed the closing moments.
For the final voting, Adam Thomas came out on top with 51% of the vote. Mo Farah followed with 32%, while Harry Redknapp earned 9%, and Craig Charles finished with 8%. After being narrowed down to the final three, Adam’s vote share increased to 58%, with Mo Farah securing 32%, and Harry trailing with just 10%.
Although I’m A Celebrity All Stars won’t be returning next year, ITV has confirmed that the regular I’m A Celebrity show is expected to make its return later this year, much to the excitement of fans.
