I’m a celebrity… Get me out of here! Australia would have been on the chopping block until a ratings-saving addition was made to the jungle series.
Ny Breaking Australia can exclusively reveal the show, which sees celebrities living in the jungle with little comfort, is not expected to return this year.
According to an inside source, host Julia Morris told a close friend that she wasn’t sure the show would happen again until Robert Irwin was introduced to the series.
The addition of The Wildlife Warrior to the reality TV show after former co-host Dr. Chris Brown had jumped to Channel Seven, giving the series new impetus.
“I think if Dr. Chris Brown and Julia Morris were still hosting ‘celeb’ it might be over, but the addition of Robert Irwin to the show has breathed new life into the show. The youngest Irwin really saved the show,” the source said.
‘There are also many established fans who have supported this show over the years and I think being back in January is the right decision for the show and there are some great people behind the production of the show.
“It helps if you have a solid team that believes in the show and the ‘celeb family’ behind the scenes doesn’t go without a fight.”
The insider went on to say that ITV Australia, the company that produces I’m A Celeb, had been committed to keeping the show on the line-up, citing 20-year-old Robert as one of the show’s strengths show.
I’m a celebrity… Get me out of here! Australia would have been on the chopping block until a ratings-saving addition was made to the jungle series. Pictured: Julia Morris, 56, and former co-host Dr. Chris Brown, 46
“The fact that Robert was a star was clearly part of that pitch,” they said.
Part of the push to keep I’m A Celeb on the air was also the failure of the Gladiators reboot, produced by Warner Bros.
After I’m A Celeb suffered a major ratings drop in 2022, Channel Ten moved it from its January primetime to April.
They replaced it with the Australian Gladiators reboot, which launched with high expectations but failed to maintain initial viewership.
The show, hosted by Beau Ryan and Liz Ellis, attracted a sizable summer audience of 395,000 metro viewers during its premiere.
According to an inside source, host Julia Morris told a close friend that she wasn’t sure the show would happen again until Robert Irwin, 20, (left) was introduced to the series.
Unfortunately, the numbers for the second episode plummeted to just 196,000.
‘When [I’m A Celeb] “It really worked in January and it was the start of the year for Network Ten,” the source said.
They added: ‘Network Ten really felt the pain of launching with Gladiators at the wrong time and they quickly realized that ‘The Jungle’ is a better summer series. It should be in January.
‘Gladiators failed because it was too much like a sports programme. January’s series should be something completely different from the Australian Open. Providing an alternative for young families.
‘It’s the only format that worked in January [slot] for Network Ten and it puts in a strong year – to get ahead of the eight ball. That head start in the viewing year is very important.’
The addition of The Wildlife Warrior to the reality TV show, as former co-host Dr. Chris Brown jumped to Channel Seven, giving the series new impetus.
Ny Breaking Australia has approached Channel Ten for comment.
Robert was an instant hit with fans when he made his debut on I’m A Celeb in March.
Social media users went wild for him when he appeared alongside longtime host Julia, 56.
‘Robert Irwin, what an absolute natural talent. If they had tried, they couldn’t have found a better replacement. Looking forward to this season,” someone wrote on X.
“I like Robert Irwin as a host; he is a smooth transition from Brownie,” said another excited fan.
Robert was an instant hit with fans when he made his debut on I’m A Celeb in March
“Look, I’m not going to lie, I was very skeptical that Robert would fill the void of Dr. Chris could fill in, but he did a great job. I think he’ll fit in really well,” said another.
Robert performed so well on the show that it earned him a nomination for the Gold Logie, and was quickly crowned Australia’s hottest TV talent, amid his impressive success as a top presenter.
Despite being a relative newcomer to Australian screens, he impressively knocked comedy veteran Hamish Blake from the number one spot in the Australian Talent Index’s 2024 Top Talent Report.
In his very first appearance on the list, he also defeated household names such as Andy Lee, Dr Chris Brown, Sunrise’s Natalie Barr and Sophie Monk in a landslide win.