The live trials have returned to I’m A Celebrity after six years, with the results sparking outrage amongst fans
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! witnessed the return of the dreaded live trials, with two beloved stars amongst those now facing the axe after a gut-wrenching challenge.
This year’s series is in full swing, with the likes of Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, Loose Women star Kelly Brook, former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, Martin Kemp, Eddie Kadi and Jack Osbourne tackling the gruelling bushtucker trials.
They’ve been accompanied by Alex Scott, Ruby Wax, Aitch, Angry Ginge and fresh faces Vogue Williams and Tom Read Wilson.
This year has already brought a significant shake-up, after it emerged the campmates cannot be voted in to undertake back-to-back Bushtucker trials, and gain protection from the following viewer vote after completing two consecutively, reports the Express.
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Audiences have also seen a substantial format overhaul, with the camp now split into two sections as the celebrities are set against one another, battling it out in head-to-head contests, with the defeated stars vulnerable to the opening elimination.
And last night, Ant and Dec confirmed another significant shift as the live trials have made their comeback, following a six-year absence.
Speaking on I’m A Celebrity Unpacked, Ant revealed: “I’ve got to mention this, it all comes to a head tomorrow in a live Bushtucker trial, which is back on television after a six-year hiatus.”
“Didn’t you ask for it? You asked for it,” Ant joked to Dec as he quipped back: “I didn’t ask for it.”
Dec then confessed he was “incredibly nervous,” as Ant added: “We don’t like it.”
The live trial, dubbed “Cocktails of Cruelty,” saw the celebrities having to down a horrifying mixture of two ingredients chosen by their rival.
Following Ant & Dec’s instructions, they each gulped down their drinks, with the first to finish winning immunity from the first vote-off.
“Now we are live, so please mind your language,” Ant and Dec cautioned, singling out Aitch and Angry Ginge.
As the trial began, Eddie chose vomit fruit and beechworms for Jack, while The Osbournes star opted for cockroaches and sheepbrain for his rival, with Eddie downing his in seconds, and Jack admitting defeat.
Meanwhile, Alex had to drink sheep brains and goats testicles, while Shona faced mealworms and fermented fish in her mixture, though she could barely keep it down, despite winning immunity.
As the trial continued, Aitch, drinking beech worms and pig snout, went up against Angry Ginge, who drank camel anus and goat testicle combined, and somehow managed to finish his drink after gagging.
However, both competitors spilt several drops of their drink, and despite finishing the horror mixtures, now have to face the live eviction.
“You are both in danger and you have to take your seat on the danger bench,” Dec said, declaring: “Absolute scenes here!” while Ant commented the result came after a “contraversial VAR check”.
Viewers were left furious to know the two favourites are now at risk, with one fuming: “Aitch and Ginge…what a fix. All pairings have had spillage…”
Another seethed: “Ginge and Aitch getting absolutely robbed. Absolute fix.” One fan wrote: “Hahaha not Aitch and Ginge sitting there absolutely seething.”
Another wrote: “If Ginge or Aitch come anywhere close to being first few out I will go back to boycotting the show.”
Someone else wrote: “ik ppl are saying that aitch and ginge got unfair treatment but there’s also no way either will be the first to go home so I think it’s alright.”
The rest of the live trial saw Martin drink fermented fish and fish eyes, while Lisa had to down vomit fruit and fermented duck egg, managing to win before the Spandeau Ballet singer was even halfway through.
Kelly then made Vogue drink fish eyes and fermented fish, while the Loose Women star had to down bull penis mixed with pig vagina. As a result, Vogue was left vomiting live on air, but still managed to win.
Finally, Tom had to drink pig vagina and fermented duck egg, while Ruby drunk sheep brain and camel anus, with Tom crowned victor.
This comes after I’m A Celebrity bosses insisted this will be the “toughest” year yet, with executive producer Olly Nash telling The Daily Mail: “It’s a tough and gruelling show, and there’s nothing wrong with driving that home.
“We need to see more celebrities earning their keep, that’s the most important thing.
“We have more celebrities taking part in the trials than we ever have before, so it’s more of a competition.
“Last year, we had a great positive happy cast that all joined together and had a happy time.
“This year they are going to have to fight more, earn more and play a bigger part in camp.”
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Continues tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
