On 10 December 2023, Sam Thompson was declared the winner of the series, and ultimately the new "King of the Jungle", with Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage finishing in second and third place respectively.[2]
Production
Following the conclusion of the twenty-second series, ITV confirmed an "All-Stars" series I'm a Celebrity...South Africa featuring previous contestants, which aired earlier in 2023 and was won by Myleene Klass.[3][4] The first trailer for the twenty-third series aired in October 2023, which featured a ten-second clip of presenters Ant & Dec working at a luxury "Jungle Retreat" and with an added voiceover speaking the words "Come away with us [to the Jungle Retreat]".[5]
A further extended trailer was released a week later, teasing the series as a peaceful and relaxing setting fit for a celebrity with Ant & Dec undertaking jobs such as pouring mealworms into a bath.[6][7] It also included a voiceover describing the eating trials as "exotic cuisine" and enticing celebrities to join the "ultimate jungle experience".[8] The trailer also features a five-star "Jungle Retreat" sign as well as an aerial view of the beach overseeing Ant & Dec writing the words "Get Me Out of He[re]" in the sand.[9][10][11]
^Note 1: The public voted for who they wanted to win, rather than save.
Bushtucker trials
The contestants take part in daily trials to earn food. These trials aim to test both physical and mental abilities. The winner is usually determined by the number of stars collected during the trial, with each star representing a meal earned by the winning contestant for their fellow campmates.[19]
The public voted for who they wanted to face the trial
The contestants decided who would face the trial
The trial was compulsory and neither the public nor celebrities decided who took part
^Note 1: Nella and Nigel were excluded from this trial on medical grounds.
^Note 2: Celebrities are competing against each other. The first five celebrities to complete the trial, would return to Main Camp.
^Note 3: Celebrities are competing head-to-head in order to "coach" the winning team, the winners of the previous trial, and go to Main Camp.
^Note 4: Frankie and Tony were excluded from this trial on the basis of being coaches.
^Note 5: The coaches chose an additional campmate to compete alongside those chosen by the public.
^Note 6: Danielle, Frankie, Fred, Jamie Lynn, Nella and Sam were excluded from this trial as they were in the winning Play-offs team.
^Note 7: Nella, Nigel and Tony were excluded from this trial on medical grounds.
^Note 8: As Grace was unable to participate in the trial for medical reasons, Danielle, who received the third highest number of votes, took part instead.
^Note 9: Instead of competing for stars, the celebrities competed for coins.
^Note 10: Due to already participating in the Misery Motel, Marvin, Sam and Tony were excluded from this trial.
^Note 11: Although eligible to be voted for the trial, at the time of the reveal, Nella was being seen by a medic and was therefore unable to take part and votes cast for her were subsequently voided.
^Note 12: Nella was excluded from this trial on medical grounds.
^Note 13: Nigel was excluded from this trial on medical grounds.
^Note 14: For this Trial, each celebrity were competing for starters, main courses, desserts, drinks, and treats of their choice.
As well as competing in the Bushtucker trials, celebrities have to complete in "Deals on Wheels challenges" in order to earn treats for the camp. At least two celebrities are chosen to compete in the challenge. These are often mental challenges, rather than challenges including critters. They must complete the challenge they have been given in order to win 'Dingo Dollars'.[20]
After completion of the challenge, the celebrities will take the Dingo Dollars and purchase a snack from Kiosk Kev, who for this series was located in an ice cream van, "Kev's Wallaby Whips". Before they are allowed to take the prize, the other celebrities back at the living quarters must answer a trivia question. If they get the question right, they will earn the treat, but if they get it wrong, the celebrities will go back empty-handed.[21][22]
The celebrities got the question correct
The celebrities got the question wrong
No question was given, as the celebrities failed to complete the challenge in time.
No question was asked
Episode
Air date
Celebrities
Prize
Notes
2
20 November
Josie Nick
Popcorn
—
8
26 November
Frankie Nick
Milk bottles
11
29 November
Danielle Fred
Crisps
12
30 November
Sam Tony
Tim Tams
14
2 December
Frankie Josie
Crumpets & butter
18
6 December
Josie Nigel
Chocolate biscuits
21
9 December
Josie Nigel Sam Tony
Ice cream
Camp Leaders
Celebrity
Original Run
No. of days
Leader
Deputy
First day
Last day
1
Sam
Marvin
9
13
5
2
Nella
Danielle
13
16
4
3
Danielle
Josie
16
19
4
Play-offs
On 23 November, following the campmates' entrance to The Scarena and their subsequent participation in "Locker Shocker", the campmates were separated in to two teams with the winning five forming the "Home" team and the losing five forming the "Away" team. New arrivals Frankie and Tony entered camp and competed in a trial to determine who would coach each team. Once separated into two camps, the teams went head-to-head in play-offs to win points. At the end of the three play-offs, the "Home" team amassed the most points and were therefore awarded with a breakfast.[23]
The Away team won the play-off
The Home team won the play-off
Teams
Home
Away
404
383
Frankie Danielle Fred Jamie Lynn Nella Sam
Tony Grace Josie Marvin Nick Nigel
Play off number
Air date
Name of play-off
Celebrity participation
Notes
Home
Away
1
23 November
Slam Dunk'd
Fred Nella
41
36
Marvin Nick
—
2
24 November
Power Shower
Danielle Jamie Lynn
137
216
Josie Marvin
—
3
24 November
Hand Ball
Frankie Fred
404
383
Nick Tony
—
Ratings
Official ratings are taken from BARB, utilising the four-screen dashboard which includes viewers who watched the programme on laptops, smartphones and tablets within 7 days of the original broadcast.[24]
