The Australian jungle is heating up once again on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! – and this time, it’s not the Bushtucker trials causing the stir. Veteran comedian and therapist Ruby Wax, 72, has found herself at the centre of a furious backlash after she was caught on camera swiping an entire bag of Liquorice Allsorts and devouring them away from her starving campmates!

The incident – which unfolded after the celebrities triumphed in the “Bugtime Stories” challenge and won a rare midnight feast of children’s sweets – has viewers divided, with many branding Ruby “selfish” and accusing her of not “dốc sức” (pulling her weight) in the gruelling camp environment. Clips of the moment have gone mega-viral, racking up millions of views on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, as fans debate whether Ruby’s “inner animal” moment was harmless fun or downright greedy.

“Ruby Wax stole the whole bag of Liquorice Allsorts and ate them alone – what a selfish move!” one outraged viewer tweeted, summing up the mood for thousands. Another blasted: “She’s not even trying in trials, and now this? Not pulling her weight at all!” Hashtags like #RubyWaxSelfish, #LiquoriceGate and #ImACelebDrama trended worldwide, with some fans calling for her to be “axed” while others defended her as “just being Ruby.”

The Sweet That Sparked the Storm

It all started innocently enough. After correctly guessing six children’s book titles in the clever Bugtime Stories trial – a challenge involving creepy-crawlies and riddles – the camp was rewarded with a stash of nostalgic sweets: chocolate eclairs, fruit pastels, fudge… and a generous bag of Liquorice Allsorts.

The treats were meant to be shared among the hungry celebrities, who have been surviving on meagre rations of rice and beans for days. But as the group excitedly unpacked the goodies, Ruby – known for her dry wit and no-nonsense attitude – spotted the Liquorice Allsorts and made her move.

In footage that has since been dissected frame by frame, Ruby grabbed the bag, scurried off to a quiet corner of camp, and began munching away. When fellow campmate Shona McGarty politely asked for one, Ruby hesitated, holding the bottom of the bag tightly and offering it reluctantly. “I’ll try one… Thank you, Ruby,” Shona said awkwardly on camera, but the damage was done.

Ruby later admitted her “inner animal took over,” confessing she couldn’t resist the sweets she loves. “A girl’s gotta eat,” she quipped in a confessional, but the moment left campmates – including a visibly annoyed Alex Scott – exchanging glances.

Ant and Dec didn’t hold back in their narration, frustratedly calling out the group: “They won the sweets as a team – but someone’s not sharing!” The hosts’ pointed commentary only fuelled viewer outrage.

Fans Divided: Selfish or Just Honest?

Social media reactions have been explosive. On X and Reddit’s r/ImACelebTV, threads exploded with opinions:

• Critics slammed Ruby: “She’s 72, not pulling her weight in trials, and now hoarding sweets? Selfish!” One viral post read: “If it had been anything else, there’d be war – but Liquorice Allsorts are vile anyway, so maybe they let her have them.” Many accused her of not contributing enough to camp life, pointing to earlier episodes where she was seen as “annoying” or “rude” (including a light-blocking incident with Angry Ginge).
• Defenders rushed to her side: “Ruby’s hilarious – it’s just sweets! She’s been through enough in life; let her enjoy.” Others noted Liquorice Allsorts aren’t everyone’s favourite: “No one else wanted them anyway – she saved the drama.” Some praised her honesty: “At least she’s real about it – inner animal indeed!”

The backlash echoes earlier criticism of Ruby in the 2025 series. From day one, some viewers called her “unlikeable” and “rude” after she asked Angry Ginge to move out of her light. Threads titled “Anyone else getting unnecessarily annoyed at Ruby?” on Reddit highlighted her dry humour clashing with younger campmates.

Yet supporters argue her age and background should be considered: “She’s 72, intelligent, funny – and in the jungle! Cut her slack.” Ruby has been open about mental health struggles in the past, and fans say the sweets moment was harmless escapism.

Camp Drama: How It Played Out

The midnight feast was a rare treat in the toughest series yet – extreme weather, brutal trials and constant hunger testing everyone’s limits. Winning the sweets was a morale boost, but Ruby’s solo feast soured it for some.

Shona McGarty later confronted the issue lightly: “I asked Ruby and she held the bottom of the bag like this…” mimicking the tight grip. Alex Scott reportedly looked “livid,” though no major argument erupted – perhaps because Liquorice Allsorts aren’t universally loved.

Ant and Dec weighed in from the studio: “Beware the dunny emptiers – or in this case, the sweet hoarders!” The line drew laughs but underscored the frustration.

Ruby issued a half-apology in camp: “It’s each man for himself sometimes,” she said, admitting fault but standing by her actions.

Ruby’s Journey So Far: Wit, Wisdom and Controversy

Ruby Wax – comedian, actress, therapist and author – entered the jungle as one of the older contestants, bringing sharp intellect and mental health advocacy. She’s faced trials calmly (including cockroach tasks) and offered wisdom to younger stars.

But her blunt style has polarised viewers. Early “rude” accusations gave way to this sweets scandal, with some saying she’s “not dốc sức” – not fully committing to camp hardships.

Producers likely see her as gold: drama drives ratings, and Ruby delivers.

What’s Next? Will the Drama Continue?

As the series pushes toward the final, all eyes are on Ruby. Will campmates address the hoarding? Will she redeem herself in trials? Or will fans’ calls for her exit grow louder?

One thing’s certain: in the jungle, even a bag of Liquorice Allsorts can spark a storm.

Ruby Wax – love her or loathe her – is keeping I’m A Celebrity must-watch TV.