While other shows such as X Factor struggle to maintain ratings, ITV’s I’m a Celebrity is having no such problems.
Indeed, despite being on our televisions virtually every night – and for at least an hour to boot – viewers continue to tune in.
And, while you might not have always heard of all the ‘celebrities’ taking part, the ratings success has been the same in previous years too. So what is the appeal?
Undoubtedly it has become the ultimate real-life TV show – managing to tap into that not so nice side of human beings – the laughter of watching others suffer.
So, despite finding the bug eating challenges make us squirm in our armchairs, we can’t help but watch them. And find it entertaining when someone literally finds the going tough.
But surely the show’s real appeal goes much deeper than that. The fact is it reveals a side of celebrities we often don’t see.
So while past contestant nutritionist Gillian McKeith was more than happy to examine the poo of her clients for evidence of healthy eating (or not), she became surprisingly squirmish about taking part in any insect bushtucker trials at all.
In 2013 I’m a Celebrity we now have the public’s focus on Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington for a different reason. Firstly, having achieved so much, you would expect her to be brimming with confidence – a sort of jolly hockeysticks type of person who has no problems saying it as it is. But no – instead she seems to be insecure about her own athletic figure, breaking down in tears over her insecurities.
Then, inexplicably, despite presumably being fit as a fiddle from all that competitive swimming, she is exempt from taking part in any trials on ‘medical grounds.’ What those medical grounds are exactly no-one seems to know prompting much debate on social media and in the press about whether she should be there at all if she is not going to fully take part.
But then this is the beauty – and the attraction of I’m a Celebrity. As the celebs continue living in the jungle, their food rationed and with no contact with the outside world, their true personalities are revealed and often in the most astonishing ways.
Truly it is one of those rare programmes these days which doesn’t feel manipulated. There are no judges making the choices and no-one hoping one competitor will beat another (because they will make a more saleable recording artist…). Anything can happen – rows, falling in love, anger, frustration – and it does.
Put simply, some people thrive – they become leaders, cooks, the agony aunt of the group, the provider or the joker… And, then just as in real life, some people don’t. And frankly it is a lot of fun watching the whole thing unfold…
Do you watch I’m a Celebrity? Why do you like it? Let us know below…