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JUNGLE ENCORE?
ITV reveals future of I’m A Celebrity South Africa days after finale
WHEN jungle titans Myleene Klass, Joe Swash and Phil Tufnel returned to I’m A Celebrity this month, it was touted as a one-off special to celebrate the ITV show.
But I can reveal that, following strong ratings, the all-stars edition will be back again in the future.
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The channel has moved to trademark the title I’m A Celebrity South Africa with the intention of returning to the format “periodically” in years to come.
A TV insider told me: “Show chiefs feel that there is plenty of scope to do more.
“They have more than 200 ex-campmates to choose from — there could even be certain themes such as all-male, villains, or jungle shower legends.
“It was very much commissioned as a one off so talks about how and when it could return are only just beginning, but ITV wanted to preserve the format for the future.
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“It definitely wouldn’t be a yearly occurrence, but a format to revisit periodically.
“It’s very good news for fans of I’m A Celebrity who will be hoping to see some more of their favourites appear.”
The recent series averaged around five million viewers each episode and it was the most-watched programme on TV each night.
It featured a number of big names from previous series — but there are plenty remaining who could receive a call-up.
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Harry Rednap, Scarlett Moffatt and Vicky Pattison would surely be in the mix, plus stars including Emily Atack, Joey Essex, David Haye and Darren Day, who appeared in the first ever series back in 2002.
After South Africa winner Myleene revealed sales of a replica of her famous white bikini are up 75 per cent since she appeared on the show, I’m sure there’s a catwalk of shower queens just waiting to strip off.
Taking a swipe
And if ITV wanted to guarantee a surefire ratings winner, they could also tempt 2004 series lovebirds Peter Andre and Katie Price to return.
Speaking about the all-stars series, and taking a swipe at the cast, Katie said: “A lot of people are saying, am I doing I’m A Celeb? No, but I’m interested in this show.
“Apparently they’re already out there filming with ‘the legends.’
“I don’t think they’re legends.
“Imagine, if they had me and Pete on it. Imagine.”
It will be worth it just to hear him sing Insania again.
Martin's Smarting
TENSE auctions on Homes Under The Hammer can sometimes come down to the wire.
But I’ve never seen its presenter Martin Roberts look quite so stressed as this.
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The host is subjected to a stiff bout of spanking therapy in the name of tension relief on tonight’s episode of The Big Celebrity Detox.
It’s just one of the wacky treatments Martin, Karry Katona, MMA fighter Michael “Venom” Page and other stars were subjected to on the hilarious E4 programme, which airs at 9pm every night this week.
Martin told me: “We had this woman from Scandinavia saying, ‘This is spanking therapy and it’s important for release and it’s a very important therapy.’
“So we’re saying, ‘OK, fine. Is it sexual?’ She goes, ‘No, it’s not sexual at all. It’s a therapy and it’s very different and it’s not sexual.’”
We’ll take her word for it, Martin.
Brothers in Mars
JOHN Simm will be joined by the brother of his Life On Mars co-star Philip Glenister in the new series of ITV crime drama Grace.
Sherwood actor Robert Glenister will appear in the upcoming fourth season, which is filming in Brighton.
Simm plays the title role of DS Roy Grace.
Auntie's 'such a foodie'
THE Fast Show star Simon Day reckons the BBC fixation cooking shows is no joke.
Alhough a number of food series have recently been axed, the comic believes Auntie would still rather invest in making new ones, rather than fresh comedy shows.
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He said: “The BBC don’t spend on sketch shows any more. They’d rather do a cookery programme . . . or some guy that keeps pigs”
The Fast Show, also starring Paul Whitehouse, was a Nineties comedy sensation.
Simon added: “We were lucky, we had the four channels so it was easier – there’s so much content now, it’s hard to get anything that crosses over.”
One lad who has done that is Big Zuu who told me at Sunday’s Bafta awards that his cooking show Big Eats will soon return for a fourth run.
He said: “Different people on the show, different cultures, ethnicities, a lot of love – that’s why it’s popular.”
Steffan gets in the way
GAVIN & Stacey’s Steffan Rhodri has landed a lead role in Michael Sheen's new BBC drama The Way.
The actor – who played Dave Coaches in the hit BBC sitcom – joins It’s A Sin star Callum Scott Howells in the three-parter, set in Wales.
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It tells the story of a family caught up in an extraordinary chain of events that ripple out from their home town.
The Damned United star Michael directs the drama, which he co-created.
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The Pembrokshire Murders’ Luke Evans also appears in the show, which uses top Welsh talent.
Michael says: “We’ve always had so much acting talent here in Wales and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to tell this extraordinary story with the very best at work today.”
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