This year’s I’m A Celebrity has delivered its usual mix of chaos, comedy and classic jungle tension — but a new storm is brewing among viewers, and it has nothing to do with Bushtucker Trials. Despite a star-studded cast featuring Kelly Brook, Shona McGarty, Martin Kemp, Ruby Wax, Lisa Riley, Eddie Kadi, Jack Osbourne, Alex Scott, Aitch, Angry Ginge, Vogue Williams and Tom Read Wilson, fans are convinced one contestant is dominating the spotlight far more than the rest.
I’m A Celeb fans blast ITV for ‘giving Kelly Brook too much airtime’ – and have accused the former glamour model of ‘trying to impress the boys by objectifying herself while snubbing female co-stars’
And they’re not happy about it.
Over the past week, some have pointed out that they think that Loose Women star Kelly has been on our screens more than some of her other campmates
A growing number of viewers have taken to social media to claim ITV is “over-editing” Kelly Brook, giving her significantly more screentime than other campmates — particularly compared to the quieter, more reserved Shona McGarty. Some fans say it feels as though producers are “pushing favourites,” while others argue Kelly is “trying too hard to impress the boys” at the expense of her relationships with the women in camp.
Fans of the ITV show are upset that there hasn’t been a fair distribution of airtime and some claim that they are giving into their favourites
One fan on Reddit wrote: “Why are the editors so obsessed with her? She’s in almost every shot. Meanwhile Shona, who actually did the trial, barely appeared.” They added they would be “very interested” in a breakdown of screentime, suspecting the imbalance is far larger than it seems.
Others echoed the complaint, saying the EastEnders star barely has the chance to show who she is away from her longtime role as Whitney Dean. “It’s gutting — she’s funny, she’s warm, but we hardly see any of it,” another viewer wrote.
Many think that the likes of EastEnders star Shona is getting overlooked and is not getting a fair shot at showing the public away from her alter-ego Whitney Dean
Some have also suggested that Kelly’s interactions in camp lean heavily toward the men. When she boasted to AngryGinge about learning the offside rule, fans pointed out that football expert Alex Scott was standing right beside her — and was completely ignored — despite giving her the correct explanation moments earlier. As one critic put it: “Kelly positions herself in a way where she dumbs herself down for validation from the lads. She didn’t care what the women said.”
Kelly’s past as a glamour model and Page Three star has also been brought into the conversation. Several viewers accused her of “sexualising herself for attention,” particularly after scenes of her “moaning and sucking her thumb while eating marshmallows” aired. One commenter added: “It’s so obvious what she’s doing. The saddest part is that she thinks she has to.”
Meanwhile others wish that Kelly would make a bit more of an effort with the rest of the women in camp (pictured with Aitch and AngryGinge)
But not everyone agrees with the backlash. Many fans rushed to defend Kelly, praising her natural charisma and strong presence on screen. “We only see minutes from 24 hours of footage,” one viewer argued. “If this is the worst she’s done, they all seem like a great bunch.”
One said on Reddit that it’s ‘time to stop sexualising herself at every opportunity’
Others suggested that ITV is deliberately crafting an edit to get people talking — something the show has long been known for. “Remember, producers smash hours of footage into click-bait-worthy content,” another wrote. “You don’t see the full picture.”
Kelly’s recent “mini-feud” with Jack Osbourne over food prep — first potatoes, then fish — may have also contributed to her visibility, with editors often spotlighting camp clashes. And as one viewer pointed out, “ITV was always going to edit her in a certain way. They know she gets a reaction.”
Meanwhile, supporters on Instagram praised the star’s warmth and relatability: “I love her. She’s my favourite!” one wrote. “So down-to-earth and normal,” said another.
Still, the debate shows no signs of slowing down — and with every episode, the question looms larger:
