I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2023 Premiere Sees Ratings Dip Amidst Controversy
The eagerly awaited return of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! on Sunday night drew in an average of seven million viewers, a notable drop of over two million from last year's premiere, which boasted 9.1 million viewers.
This year's star-studded cast includes Jamie Lynn Spears, Fred Sirieix and Nigel Farage, who entered the jungle over the weekend to compete against their fellow campmates to take home the title of King or Queen of the Jungle.
Former UKIP leader Farage has stirred controversy from when he was announced, with the politician earning a hefty £1.5 million for his participation, surpassing the payment received by Matt Hancock in the previous series. Farage, who is claiming to reveal his true self in the jungle, stated, "In the jungle, you're going to find the real me." His pink shirt and chinos ensemble didn't deter him from diving headfirst into challenges, including a nerve-wracking encounter with snakes alongside social media sensation Nella Rose in their initial tasks.
Despite hopes that Farage's polarising presence would boost viewership, the show experienced a decline in viewership, with an average of seven million tuning in, according to overnight ratings. This marks a substantial decrease from the 2022 launch, which had an average audience of 9.1 million.
The decision to include Farage, coupled with his significant fee, seems to have backfired for I'm A Celebrity producers. The backlash on social media, with #BoycottImACeleb trending, may have contributed to the drop in numbers. Farage, however, remained defiant, expressing confidence that his participation would attract new viewers. Responding to potential boycotters, he remarked, "Anyone who's a lover of I'm A Celebrity who doesn't watch it just because I'm on it has got to be an incredibly small-minded person."
As the controversy unfolds, the show's producers are banking on contestants like Jamie Lynn Spears, Grace Dent, and others to inject excitement and engage diverse audiences. Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly welcomed viewers to the new series, declaring, "Tonight the talking stops and the adventure begins... strap yourself in for the ride of your lives." The real question remains: Can the eclectic mix of celebrities and daring challenges turn the tide for the struggling ratings of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2023?
