EXCLUSIVE: Express.co.uk columnist Gillian McKeith knows exactly what it’s like to be in the ITV jungle – and how to avoid being kicked out.
Gillian McKeith has had her say on the first eviction from I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in a blistering takedown of Loose Women star Jane Moore.
Jane became the first celebrity to be booted off the 2024 series of the ITV reality show, closely followed by BBC radio DJ Dean McCullough on Sunday night (December 1).
But for jungle pro Gillian – who first appeared in the 2010 series of the show before returning for I’m A Celeb All Stars – it’s no wonder Jane was voted out first.
Writing for her Express.co.uk column, the nutritionist admitted: “Not exactly a plot twist so no surprises that Jane went out first. Being a hard worker in the camp will not save you from the public as the public don’t get to see much of that effort. It is simply not shown.
“Jane might have called herself a ‘quiet hard worker’ but the lesson here is that you don’t win the jungle on chores alone. ‘Quiet hard work’ might keep the camp ticking over but it does not win the title and crown. Let’s call a spade a spade: This is ‘I’M A Celebrity’ not ‘Camp Maintenance Weekly’.
Jane Moore was the first casualty of the I’m A Celeb jungle (Image: ITV)
“You have to captivate the audience, not just keep the camp tidy. The public crave personality, flair and somebody who lights up the screen not just the campfire. It does not reward wallflowers and in spite of a fabulously impressive effort in her underwater trial, Jane did not make the cut and was sent home.
“Remember Jane is a journalist used to blending into the background, not being an entertainer. A couple of the campmates were nervous about her being in there at first, especially Coleen Rooney but I do believe she did win them over inspite of her constant questioning.
Gillian McKeith is a jungle pro (Image: ITV)
“Truth be told, nobody wants a journalist in the camp. I hear this time and time again, year in year out when the producers put one in there.”
Gillian added: “Dean should have been in longer. He is entertaining to watch. And keeps the camp on their toes with his antics. But I think the telling off he gave to our favourite Corrie star was the beginning of the end for the viewers. He definitely added viewing value to the jungle dynamics.”
