I’m a Celebrity’s duty of care came under scrutiny in 2023 when Grace Dent and Jamie Lynn Spears both quit the ITV reality show early.
The I’m a Celebrity 2024 line-up looks exciting with stars Coleen Rooney, Maura Higgins and Oti Mabuse tipped to head to the jungle – although all names are speculation at the moment.
Behind the scenes of the ITV series set deep in the Australian bush, producers are working hard to support the stars taking part in the reality show, but after last year’s highly publicized exits the question arises: can they do more?
Former I’m a Celebrity 2022 star Scarlette Douglas told Yahoo UK of her experience: “TV bosses will probably be as aware as possible because they really have that show at their fingertips. That’s the only thing I’ll give them , they’re bloody brilliant at that.”
The A Place in The Sun presenter has shared the guidance the celebrities receive before, during and after the show. This includes direct help from psychiatrists, a secret connection to the outside world, one chosen person to keep producers informed about personal lives and more.
Preparing for the jungle of I’m a Celebrity
Before celebrities appear on the show, they have to undergo a psychological test. Psychological testing has become an important onboarding process for reality shows, including Big Brother and Love Island, to name a few.
“You don’t want anyone to quit,” Douglas said. “You want everyone to enjoy the whole experience for themselves, but also for the show, of course. To a certain extent [quitting] adds to the drama, but there’s so much going into the show. So much goes into getting the celebrities there and making sure everything is okay. I don’t think bosses ever want anyone to stop doing psychological tests and stuff.”
Once in Australia, the celebrities will be kept in isolation to ensure there is an element of surprise when they appear on the reality series. According to Douglas, the TV crew monitors the stars’ well-being all the time.
She said: “We are isolated in the house before we go into the jungle, and they will come and check and see if we are okay, or we will go for a walk once a day and just to make sure our mental health is clear and there is always a psychiatrist available if you need to talk to someone.
The psychiatrists are always available via a secret telephone. Douglas explained that the stars are given a ‘standard’ phone with just two numbers: one for the producer and one for a psychiatrist.
She added: “Before they give you one phone, the simplest phone you’ve ever seen with two numbers: the producer and the psychiatrist. If ever during that week of isolation you feel like you need to talk to someone you have that phone.”
In the jungle
There is a secret connection with the outside world that, according to the former campmate, we do not see on TV. The celebrities will be allowed to choose one person as their point of contact who will relay any important information to the production team, Douglas revealed.
The stars taking part in the show are told small snippets from the outside world in the Bush Telegraph.
She explained: “I have a really good relationship with my family and I probably speak to my mum and dad three or four times a day. What they do is if there’s an important message from here, they pass it on, or every day they give I’ll say we’ve checked in with the person you selected. So that was one of my brothers.
“They say to you, ‘We have contacted your person. Everything is fine at home. Is there anything you would like to report back home?’ At least this way you always have a little connection every day.”
While in the jungle, Douglas’ mother underwent eye surgery. She asked producers to let her know the surgery went well. “Because I know my mom was really worried about it,” she said. “I was obviously nervous about it and I wanted to know if she was okay.”
“If something serious happens at home they will call you for the Bush Telegraph,” she added. “With my mom, I remember the day she got it, and I hadn’t heard anything. I was like, ‘Hey producer, I went to see if my mom is okay?'”
She added: “I’m panicking and scared something has happened and they don’t want to tell me, but they have to tell you clearly if it’s something serious. When they called me, they said, ‘Your mom has an eye appointment. was postponed, but everything is fine.’
“When she had the surgery, they told me that it was done, that it was okay and that she is doing well. I just had to know that.”
What you do see in the show is where the stars receive the letters from home. “That’s great because then you hear what’s happening at home,” she said. “If something important happens, they call you and let you know everything you want to know before you go into the jungle. You can let them know and they will keep you informed.’
Watch as the 2022 I’m a Celebrity campmates get emotional as they receive letters from home
Post-jungle
After the celebrities are evicted or the series ends, the celebrities still have the support of the show.
Douglas said, “As soon as you leave, talk to the psychiatrist. There’s obviously press everywhere. You enter the hotel and everyone tries to talk to you about things. But the team is always there.”
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here returns to ITV on November 17.
