TV bosses have reportedly binned off the idea of sending extra stars into the I’m A Celebrity jungle.
It has long been rumoured there would be additional famous faces joining the ten celebs announced in the initial line up, the smallest the show has seen for over a decade.
But now The Sun claims this year’s wage bill has made I’m A Celebrity producers think again about sending in more campmates.
According to reports, Harry Redknapp, Nick Knowles and John Barrowman alone are commanding nearly £1million in fees.
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The newspaper website also indicates plans to involve TV legend Noel Edmonds – believed to be the most expensive show signing ever at £600,000 – as a late entry are still on the table.
And it may be that the expense laid out on his hefty deal lead to another I’m A Celebrity hopeful’s dreams being cancelled.
However, it appears there will be no further ‘secret’ contestants, even though Noel’s inclusion would likely leave the two teams of campmates unbalanced with 11 celebs combined.
Ex TOWIE castmate Megan McKenna had been linked with a spot as a twelfth contender to be crowned King or Queen of the jungle.
Read more: I’m A Celebrity contestant salaries ‘revealed’
But now it seems her involvement with the series may be limited to appearing on ITV2’s spin off show Extra Camp.
An unnamed ITV source is reported to have said: “Bosses for I’m A Celebrity spent so much on signing Noel for the show that there’s only 11 contestants planned this year.
“They have really pushed the boat out and splashed the cash more than ever before – meaning a change to the format had to be made.”
Already in the jungle with Harry, Nick and John are The Chase’s Anne Hegerty, ex EastEnders actress Rita Simon and X Factor singer Fleur East.
They are also joined by Corrie star Sair Khan, The Inbetweeners’ Emily Atack, Hollyoaks Malique Thompson-Dwyer and pop rocker James McVey.
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