Kerry Katona Reportedly Excluded from I'm A Celebrity All Stars Seasons
Former Atomic Kitten member Kerry Katona, who famously won the 2004 season of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, has reportedly been snubbed from participating in the show's All Stars versions. The latest season, which premiered earlier this month, features returning celebrities competing in South Africa, but Katona's absence has been notably conspicuous.
Controversial Personal Life Impacts Casting Decisions
Despite drawing an estimated 14 million viewers during her victorious 2004 season—a stark contrast to recent seasons that attracted only half that number—Katona has not been invited back for either of the two All Stars series. Sources indicate that her highly publicized personal struggles, including drug admissions, bankruptcies, and divorces, may be affecting her casting chances.
A source close to the production told The Sun: "Everyone at I'm a Celeb loves Kerry and they'll always back her as one of the most popular winners of the show. But times have changed and bosses have such a fine line to tread when it comes to keeping the audience happy. Kerry will tell you herself she's like marmite, you either love her or you hate her!"
Production Concerns Over Unfiltered Personality
The source further explained that Katona's unfiltered personality, while beloved by many, presents a significant risk for producers. "She had a big mouth and won't be filtered, something everyone loves her for. However, they said bosses can't take the risk of not knowing what she'll say after the show is filmed, especially as the series is shot so far in advance."
Katona herself has expressed frustration over the repeated rejections, revealing that she had spoken to producers about returning but never received a response. "I keep getting turned down for some reason," she told The Sun. "I think it'd be amazing. I've been to the interviews for both series. And they said, 'Definitely, Kerry. You were the first queen and had the highest ratings', but then they never came back. I'd do it in a heartbeat, not even to win it. Just for me."
Reality TV Career and Atomic Kitten Legacy
Since her I'm A Celebrity win, Katona has appeared on numerous other reality shows, including Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing on Ice, and Celebs on the Farm. Her last reality TV appearance was in her own ITV2 series, The Next Chapter, which concluded in 2011.
Her tenure with Atomic Kitten has also been marked by turbulence. After reuniting with bandmates Liz McClarnon and Natasha Hamilton in 2013, Katona left the group again following a drunken incident where she hit Hamilton after a performance in Australia. Hamilton recently shut down speculation of another reunion, telling The Mirror, "I wish Kerry all the best. That girl has been out there. She's a hustler. She looks after those kids so well. Fair play to the girl. There's no big thing, but when it comes to work, that isn't going to happen."
Current All Stars Season and Future Prospects
The current All Stars season features celebrities such as Gemma Collins, Scarlett Moffatt, Sinitta, Adam Thomas, and Sir Mo Farah vying for the title of Legend of the Jungle. Despite Katona's expressed desire to return and her status as one of the show's most memorable winners, it appears her chances of ever participating again are slim.
The source concluded, "She was actually considered for the current All Stars series but not everyone was on board. Sadly, it looks like—despite her being synonymous with the show—she'll never get a chance to do it again."
