In a dramatic shake-up that’s already dividing fans, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! producers have rolled out a bold new rule for the 2025 series: no celebrity can be voted to face more than two Bushtucker Trials in a row – meaning after two consecutive days of facing the jungle’s nastiest challenges, they’re automatically exempt from the next one!

The change – officially confirmed by ITV ahead of the November launch – comes after years of viewer complaints that certain stars (like last year’s DJ Dean McCullough, who endured a staggering six trials in succession, or Matt Hancock‘s six-trial marathon in 2022) were hogging the spotlight, dominating airtime and carrying the food-winning burden almost single-handedly.

“Show bosses are keen to give all campmates the opportunity to shine in Bushtucker Trials this year,” an ITV spokesperson declared in a statement splashed across BBC News and other outlets. “We’re bringing in a new rule that after a celebrity has been voted for TWO trials in a row, they cannot be voted for one on the next day. This means ‘two in a row and you miss a go’ – ensuring the responsibility for winning food is shared amongst more of the campmates.”

The rule reset allows the same celebrity to be voted for again after their mandatory break, but it prevents the public from repeatedly targeting one “favourite” (or scapegoat) for endless punishment. Producers hope it will create a more balanced, fairer and entertaining dynamic – letting viewers get to know quieter campmates better while stopping any one star from becoming the “trial king” or “trial queen.”

Why the Change Was Needed: Past Controversies

The decision follows mounting criticism over recent series where public voting patterns led to lopsided participation. In 2024, Dean McCullough was voted for seven trials overall (with six consecutive at one point), abandoning two early due to sheer terror. Fans and fellow campmates alike felt it skewed airtime – Nigel Farage famously moaned in 2023 that trial participants grabbed “25% of the airtime,” while non-participants faded into the background.

Similar gripes dated back years: Adam Thomas tackled 12 trials in 2016, Scarlett Moffatt and Janice Dickinson each hit 10. Viewers argued it made the show predictable – either one brave soul saves the day repeatedly, or one unlucky celeb suffers non-stop.

“It’s about fairness and variety,” a production source told reporters. “We want every celebrity to have their moment – whether that’s conquering fear or showing resilience. This rule forces the camp to spread the load and gives everyone a shot at stardom.”

How the New Rule Works in Practice

The mechanics are straightforward but clever:

• Public votes as usual for who faces the next day’s trial.
• If a celebrity is selected two days running, they’re automatically removed from voting options for day three.
• After the break, they’re eligible again – the “reset” button.
• No overall cap on total trials – just no endless streaks.

Early episodes of the 2025 series (which launched in mid-November) have already shown the impact. Stars like rapper Aitch and content creator Angry Ginge have racked up multiple trials, but the rule has forced rotation – with some campmates (like Lisa Riley) yet to face one at all by certain points, sparking separate debates about “loopholes” where fans alternate votes between two favourites.

“The new rule shakes things up,” one fan noted on Reddit’s r/ImACelebTV. “But people are just alternating between Aitch and Angry Ginge – it’s not stopping the favourites dominating!”

Others praised it: “Finally! No more one person doing everything. More chances for everyone to shine – or crash spectacularly.”

Mixed Reactions from Fans and Insiders

Social media has been a battlefield since the announcement:

• Supporters hailed it as overdue justice: “About time! Poor Dean last year was exhausted – this gives everyone a fair go.” Many celebrated the chance for under-the-radar stars to step up.
• Critics called it a “dull loophole”: “Fans will just vote alternate days for their two faves – Aitch and Ginge have done the most anyway!” Some argued it dilutes drama: “The tension of someone facing endless trials was part of the fun.”
• Camp dynamics have shifted too – Reddit threads suggest the rule is “hurting camp morale” in some ways, as stars feel less pressure to volunteer, leading to more strategic voting and occasional tension over who “should” step up.

Ant and Dec – earning their reported £3 million each this series – have navigated the change seamlessly, with their trademark banter highlighting the new fairness. “No more trial marathons, folks – everyone’s getting a turn!” Dec quipped in one episode.

Broader Impact on the Show’s Future

The tweak is part of ITV’s ongoing efforts to evolve the format after 25 years. With the 2025 cast (including Aitch, Jack Osbourne, Alex Scott, Ruby Wax and more) facing the “toughest yet” challenges – extreme weather, sleep deprivation and stomach-churning eats – the rule aims to keep energy high and prevent burnout.

Producers insist it’s not about diluting drama but enhancing it: “More campmates stepping up means more stories, more surprises and more chances to see different personalities under pressure.”

As the series barrels toward its finale, the change has already delivered variety – from Aitch’s fearless attitude to quieter stars finally facing the music. Whether it fully solves the “one-star monopoly” issue remains debated, but one thing’s clear: I’m A Celebrity is adapting to keep the jungle unpredictable.

Fans may grumble about loopholes, but the new rule ensures no one suffers (or shines) alone for too long. In the brutal outback, fairness – and a bit of forced rotation – might just be the secret ingredient for another unforgettable series.