Ant McPartlin breaks his silence amid speculation I’m A Celebrity is fixed after ‘unpopular’ Nella Rose was voted camp leader: ‘It was a blind vote’

Ant McPartlin has spoken out against social media claims that I'm a Celebrity has been 'fixed' after an unpopular Nella Rose was voted camp leader by her co-stars.

On Friday night it was revealed that the TikTok star, 26, would take over as camp leader from Made in Chelsea's Sam Thompson after winning a secret ballot by three votes.

Viewers were quick to say the outcome was 'obvious' due to previous claims that the show was 'fixed' in Nella Rose's favor and that producers 'helped' her throughout the process.

But presenter Ant, 48, took the unusual step of backtracking on the allegations sweeping the show, saying: 'I saw a few people on social media saying it was clear (that Nella was voted camp leader). ).

'No, it wasn't. It was a completely blind vote that they did there, it was completely up to the campmates.

'Not to anyone here in production. They obviously enjoy her at camp and think she should be a camp leader and we like it because it's great for the show.”

His co-host, Declan Donnelly, 48, added: 'It's great content.'

It's rare for Ant and Dec to address speculation on social media, but last night Ant took to their Instagram Live to suggest that the producers had not played a hand in influencing the celebrities' votes.

To the anger of viewers, Nella has shaken up the camp and had Fred Sirieix, who 'made her life hell' at the camp, wash the pots in her place and task Josie Gibson to cook.

Camp leader means the YouTube star can't do chores and delegate to others – she was voted for the role by Marvin, Tony and one of the other women.

Viewers are convinced her campmates wouldn't have voted her in, with one person writing on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'Anyone else thinking about stopping watching I'm a Celebrity?

'The whole thing feels solid. Nella Rose did no chores and became a camp leader!'

The camp leader's announcement came just before it was announced that Nella would be excused from tonight's trial, further irritating viewers.

One person wrote: 'Surprise, surprise. Nella Rose has been excused from the next trial. The producers fear that if she is voted in for a new trial, she will leave on “medical grounds.”

It comes after an ITV spokesperson debunked claims that Nella was given preferential treatment by producers who reportedly advised the TikTok star to stop feuding with Nigel Farage.

Viewers have criticized the internet personality on social media for her 'aggressive' approach to the former UKIP and Reform UK leader, and it is believed producers are steering her away from the backlash.

Nella, Tony Bellew, Nick Pickard, Sam Thompson and Nigel took on the Grim Gutter Trial in a grueling challenge in Friday's episode.

But once again the YouTube star couldn't survive a lawsuit as she became the latest celebrity to say, “I'm a celebrity, get me out of here” after Josie Gibson dropped her lawsuit during Thursday night's episode.

For this trial, viewers were given the chance to vote on which celebrity each critter would interact with, paving the way for some to face their biggest phobias.

Each celebrity was then tied into a giant drain and in each section there were two stars to unlock.

The public could vote between snakes, rats, frogs, spiders and cockroaches to be placed in boxes with the celebrities.

When they discovered which critter was linked to each celebrity, it was revealed that Nella would be joined by cockroaches in the compartment.

Meanwhile, Nick and Tony were joined by snakes, Sam was joined by toads and Nigel by rats.

During the trial, a shaking Nella reminded herself, “Don't panic,” as she tried to unlock the keys in her locker.

But despite Nick's attempts to keep the team calm, Nella wasn't up to the challenge as she exclaimed: 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here'.

Supported by Nick, he assured her, “Don't worry Nells, don't worry.”

Nella said, “I'm so sorry guys.”

Dec then confirmed that Nella had decided to end the trial and Ant confirmed: 'You are now playing 7 stars because she left a few (keys) in it.'

Boxing champion Tony was also terrified when a snake moved around him and exclaimed: 'He's huge!'

As Nick tried to calm him down, “Keep calm, keep talking, you're bigger than him.”

Tony replied, “I'm lying down, he's as big as me!”

At the end of the time, Nigel did not unlock a single star, while Nick, Tony and Sam's two each resulted in a return of six stars and six meals for the camp.

Nella was accused by viewers of receiving special treatment from the show's producers after managing to avoid confronting spiders during the challenge.

After it was announced that the voting lines were open, viewers flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to encourage others to vote for the TikTok star as she admitted she was afraid of them.

One person wrote: 'Clearly we're all voting for Nella Rose to get into spinning… right?

But when fans started choosing Nella through the app, there was no option for spiders, but instead two buttons with snakes on them.