IIn a year of chaos and confusion, there is another surprise: the year 2022 I’m a celebrity, get me out of here! The cast is actually famous. Not only can I do Boy George, Mike Tindall, Chris Moyles and – in the name of Covid! – Matt Hancock, but I actually know something about their backstories and, in Hancock’s case, probably too much. Apparently the former health minister and private adviser jumped at this opportunity as if it were an imaginative squabble, and I’m not that surprised.
I met him once, many years ago. He was the doorman of then Chancellor George Osborne and he seemed friendly and nice on the surface, but ultimately somehow unreliable. This has actually worked for his country, his party and his family. Maybe soon for his new friends in Australia too. Difficult, but you know the law of the jungle.
I’m also old enough to have grown up with Boy George (not literally, of course). The Culture Club singer is said to have received the largest sum of money in the 20-year history of the ITV show. In April he performed Ant & Dec Saturday Night Snack and after performing his song “Karma Chameleon”, he was asked by the conductors what success meant to him. He replied, “It means I never have to say, ‘I’m a celebrity … get me out of here.'” His words aren’t the only thing he’ll eat in the jungle.
I get half the votes each for recognizing but not knowing the names of the lioness Jill Scott and actress Sue Cleaver (who plays Eileen Grimshaw). Via dell’Incoronazione). I would also be short on spotting Olivia Attwood and Babatunde Aleshe, although I hope they are a bright and courageous company, the winning qualities of any king or queen on the show.
The rest is even more mysterious, and will probably remain so, even if I am obliged to review any episodes of this classic artifact of contemporary civilization. I would just like to point out for now that stardom Antiques Roadshow that ITV appears to be offering this year may very well be a sign that producers are giving up on children and aiming their “flagship” evening entertainment package at a more reliable and mature demographic.
Many can’t wait to see love rats Seann Walsh and Hancock share their sleazy advice. And I guess Owen Warner (Romeo Nightingale from Hollyoaks), Scarlette Douglas (A Place in the Sun) and Charlene White (Permissive women) will discuss media intrusion without any irony. Etc.
Especially with Hancock’s delightful prospect feeding on wriggling worms this year i am a celebrity It certainly features a more promising lineup than we’ve seen since the heyday of those classy veterans Tony Blackburn, Christopher Biggins, and Jennie Bond – but it’s still, well, a load of old kangaroo cocks.
“I’m a Celebrity” opens Sunday, November 6 at 9pm on ITV.
