ITV I’m A Celebrity’s Lisa Riley ‘exempt’ from stomach-churning trials

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star Lisa Riley will be taking part in the ITV show, but she may be exempt from some of the most gruesome Bushtucker Trials

The latest series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! is nearly upon us, with a brand new line-up of celebrities preparing to enter the Australian jungle and face Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly’s notorious Bushtucker Trials.

This year’s confirmed contestants include Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, Loose Women panellist Kelly Brook, Martin Kemp, Eddie Kadi, Alex Scott, Shona McGarty, and Jack Osbourne, according to ITV.

But it’s emerged that Lisa will likely dodge some of the show’s most revolting challenges.

The programme typically puts campmates through their paces – whether that’s swimming alongside crocodiles, being suspended at terrifying heights, getting locked in containers with creepy crawlies, or searching for stars amongst serpents to secure grub for the group, reports OK!.

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Contestants also endure disgusting food trials, which might involve consuming everything from “vomit fruit” to arachnids, fish eyeballs, or even animal genitalia.

But Lisa is unlikely to face these particular ordeals, given her vegetarian lifestyle means she’d probably receive an exemption.

Speaking about her upcoming jungle adventure, she revealed: “It’s going to be ace! I will be there for everyone but I don’t suffer fools gladly. My inner Mandy Dingle will come out if someone is mean!”

Back in 2019, the show underwent significant modifications to its trials following backlash over contestants being forced to consume live insects.

Wildlife campaigner Chris Packham has praised the shift, calling it “a first step”, as he revealed on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I hope this is the start of some significant change, what’s long concerned me about the programme is that is portrays animals in the wrong way.

“There was never any ambiguity that eating live invertebrates was abuse and also exploitation for entertainment.”

This comes after I’m A Celebrity bosses insisted this will be the “toughest” year yet, with executive producer Olly Nash telling The Daily Mail: “It’s a tough and gruelling show, and there’s nothing wrong with driving that home.

“We need to see more celebrities earning their keep, that’s the most important thing. We have more celebrities taking part in the trials than we ever have before, so it’s more of a competition.

“Last year, we had a great positive happy cast that all joined together and had a happy time. This year they are going to have to fight more, earn more and play a bigger part in camp.”

Meanwhile, the programme has undergone another shake-up this year to ensure the contestants don’t face repeated Bushtucker Trials, as a new rule states they can only do two challenges in a row and can’t be voted in for a third.

A source said: “This is a great move for fans of the show so we don’t see the same faces doing the trials, as well as uncovering new favourites. Plus it’s a win-win for the celebs too, who are keen for more chances to get their personalities across.”

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! returns on Sunday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX