The jungle is whispering once again — and this time, the rumours are sending chills down spines across Australia and beyond.

According to several unverified insider accounts circulating on social media and fan forums, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia is poised to bring back one of its most notorious and feared challenges for the 2026 season: the infamous “Deadth” trial — a gruelling, heart-stopping “death challenge” that has left past celebrities screaming, shaking, and begging for mercy in some of the show’s most unforgettable moments.

The leaks, which have exploded across Vietnamese fan pages, Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and TikTok discussions, claim that producers are resurrecting the extreme trial — known for its combination of claustrophobia, live creatures, heights, water, or psychological terror — to amp up the drama in the South African jungle. But despite the buzz, Network Ten has remained tight-lipped, offering no official confirmation and leaving fans in a frenzy of speculation, dread, and anticipation.

“These insider accounts are dropping hints that the ‘tử thần’ is coming back — bigger, scarier, and deadlier than ever,” one popular Vietnamese-language I’m A Celebrity fan page posted, racking up thousands of shares and comments within hours. “Are you ready for the screams?”

The term “Death” — literally “grim reaper” or “death god” in Vietnamese — has become shorthand among dedicated fans for the show’s most extreme Bushtucker Trials. These are the ones that push celebrities to their absolute limits: enclosed spaces crawling with snakes, spiders, rats, or cockroaches; underwater challenges where stars struggle for air while critters swarm; or high-wire stunts involving heights and live animals. Past versions have been branded “death challenges” by viewers due to the sheer terror they induce, often resulting in iconic meltdowns, voluntary exits, or tearful confessions around the campfire.

If the rumours hold true, the return of such a challenge could mark a deliberate shift back to the show’s roots after recent seasons experimented with format tweaks, pre-recorded elements, and varying levels of intensity. The 2026 season, currently airing (season 12), has already delivered its share of shocks — but insiders suggest producers want to crank the fear factor to new heights for maximum viewer engagement and ratings gold.

Fans are divided — some thrilled at the prospect of edge-of-your-seat drama, others horrified at the thought of celebrities facing what one called “pure psychological and physical torture.”

“Bring back the death challenge! That’s what makes I’m A Celeb addictive,” one excited commenter wrote. “The screams, the tears, the breakdowns — it’s reality TV at its rawest.” Others countered: “No way. Those trials are too much. Celebrities are humans, not lab rats. Think of their mental health!”

The lack of official confirmation from Network Ten or the production team has only fuelled the fire. Searches across major news outlets, the show’s social channels, and press releases show no mention of a revived “tử thần” trial. Instead, the focus remains on the current season’s stars — including supermodel Rachel Hunter, content creator Mia Fevola, former NRL player Luke Bateman, AFL’s Dyson Heppell, and others — tackling a mix of gruelling but varied challenges designed to test endurance, teamwork, and star power.

Yet the insider whispers persist. Multiple accounts (described as “nguồn nội bộ” or internal sources) claim that planning for 2026 (or potentially a confirmed 2027 return, as previously reported) includes reinstating the challenge amid calls for “classic I’m A Celeb terror.” Some speculate it could involve a new twist: perhaps an all-in-one mega-trial combining multiple fears, or a themed “Grim Reaper” edition with dark lighting, eerie sound design, and escalating stakes.

This isn’t the first time extreme trials have dominated headlines. Remember the infamous “Hellhole” or snake-filled coffins that reduced tough stars to tears? Or the underwater “celebrity cyclone” where participants fought currents and creatures? Those moments became legendary, driving viewership spikes and endless replays. Fans argue that without the truly terrifying trials, the show loses its edge — especially as competition from other reality formats grows fiercer.

Hosts Julia Morris and Robert Irwin have always emphasised the balance between fun, fear, and fundraising for charity. Julia’s quick wit softens the blows, while Robert’s wildlife expertise adds authenticity to the animal-heavy trials. If “tử thần” returns, expect their reactions to be priceless — Julia’s sarcastic one-liners and Robert’s calm encouragement amid the chaos.

The rumours come at a pivotal time for the franchise. The 2026 season has performed strongly despite format changes (pre-recording, celebrity-led eliminations), becoming one of the highest-rated in years. Network Ten’s decision to axe The Amazing Race Australia freed up budget, reportedly allowing for more ambitious challenges — including potentially the return of fan-favourites like the death trial.

Social media is ablaze. Vietnamese fan communities, in particular, have latched onto the “thử thách tử thần” narrative, with detailed breakdowns, mock-ups of potential setups, and polls asking “Who would crack first in the death challenge?” Hashtags like #DeadthTrial and #IACDeathChallenge are trending in niche circles, while English-speaking fans join in with memes of past meltdowns and predictions for 2026 celebs.

One viral post speculated on potential victims: “Imagine Rachel Hunter in a coffin full of spiders — or Luke Bateman facing heights again. Tử thần doesn’t play!”

Critics of the rumours warn that such extreme challenges raise ethical questions. Mental health advocates have previously called out the show for pushing stars too far, citing panic attacks, long-term anxiety, and the pressure of live (or near-live) humiliation. Producers have defended the trials, noting extensive safety measures, medical teams on standby, and the option to quit at any time with the famous cry: “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!”

No matter the outcome, the speculation alone has reignited passion for the show. Fans are rewatching classic death trial clips, debating past winners who conquered (or failed) them, and campaigning for transparency from Network Ten.

As the current season builds to its finale, all eyes are on whether these insider leaks will prove prophetic. Will the “Deadth” rise again in 2026, delivering screams that echo across the jungle? Or is it clever fan hype to keep engagement high?

One thing is certain: in the world of I’m A Celebrity, the line between rumour and reality is as thin as a spider’s web — and twice as sticky.

Australia holds its breath. The celebrities? They might want to start practising their screams now.