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 Secretary 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 said The mirror: ‘In the past it has been very interesting to see which politicians have been willing to join the show, with some even serving as MPs. But this year, with the elections approaching, it doesn’t feel like the right time for that.

‘After Farage failed to help bring in the punters last year, and Ant and Dec made it clear they want change, this year it’s a case of avoid, avoid, avoid.

“It’s time for a change, so it’s fair to say no one is looking for controversial figures from the political world at this stage.”

However, when MailOnline approached ITV for comment, the show’s spokesperson said: ‘I’m A Celebrity has always had a diverse cast from all areas of public life and has a history of including political figures across its 23 series broadcast.

“There are no plans to change this 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 should do a year without politicians.”

Ant added: “Agree, agree, agree.”

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

The order to ditch the politicians comes from ITV bosses after many viewers opted to watch last year’s edition of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

Viewing figures fell by 4 million during the 2023 final, with an average of just 6.6 million people tuning in, compared to 10.1 million in 2022.

ITV bosses believe the fall in ratings is due to the recent inclusion of controversial politicians in the celebrity line-up.

Politicians have become an important part 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 Scottish Labor Party leader Kezia Dugdale.

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

ITV has been contacted by MailOnline for a response.

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

Holly co-hosted a series of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity with Declan Donnelly in 2018, temporarily taking the place of Dec’s regular co-host Ant McPartlin.

The former This Morning presenter is thought to be wanted by the streaming giant to present 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 are placed in a jungle where they must overcome a series of challenges.’

The series is expected to pit the contestants against Bear.

The source added: “If they lose, they will have to face Bear, who will hunt them.

‘It’s a very exciting concept and Bear is completely behind it. Now they have Holly in their sights to host it.

‘She is very glamorous and an experienced host.

‘Holly is open to offers. She will not rush into anything and will choose her next projects carefully.