As the latest series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! returns to our screens, tensions are already brewing in the Australian rainforest. The iconic ITV show has become famous for creating unexpected friendships, but it's the explosive feuds that often dominate headlines and keep viewers glued to their seats.
The combination of meagre rations, intense heat, and strong personalities confined together creates a pressure cooker environment where even the smallest disagreements can escalate into full-blown arguments. From personal jabs to threats of violence, the jungle has witnessed some truly memorable clashes over its two-decade history.
The Most Iconic Jungle Showdowns
Perhaps the most legendary confrontation occurred in 2015 when Lady Colin Campbell unleashed a spectacular verbal assault on Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley. The argument ignited after Tony criticised Lady C for placing a beetle on the fire, prompting an extraordinary response that left campmates stunned.
Lady C told the singer: 'I don't need any input from you. You are a hypocritical pretentious arsehole.' She continued her tirade, describing him as 'a chippy oik with a mouth of diarrhoea' and claiming he didn't even have a good voice. Footballer Kieron Dyer, who had grown close to Lady C, later admitted the outburst was 'bang out of order'.
When Hunger and Tiredness Take Over
In the 2019 series, comedian Andrew Maxwell and former footballer Ian Wright demonstrated how jungle conditions can strain even the strongest relationships. Their confrontation began during dinner preparations and escalated into a tense exchange about shouting and being singled out.
The situation became increasingly uncomfortable before Andrew eventually apologised, blaming tiredness and hunger for the dispute. 'You're my pal and I'm just really sensitive,' Andrew told Ian before they hugged and made up, showing that sometimes the jungle environment itself is the real antagonist.
Feuds That Continued Beyond the Jungle
Some conflicts proved so intense that they spilled over into life after the show. In 2014, former MP Edwina Currie and reality star Kendra Wilkinson developed a mutual dislike that continued to simmer after they left the camp.
Speaking on the eviction show I'm A Celebrity: Coming Out, Kendra didn't hold back: 'She's gross, she's a gross person. To be honest with you I won't even be able to look at Edwina again.' Edwina responded by questioning Kendra's celebrity status, highlighting how jungle resentments can persist long after the cameras stop rolling.
Other notable feuds include cleaning expert Kim Woodburn's 2009 clash with Katie Price, where Kim accused Katie of being a publicity seeker, and the 2007 confrontation between model Janice Dickinson and PR expert Lynne Franks that ended with Janice threatening to fry Lynne's 'big old boobs'.
The show nearly witnessed an actual physical fight in 2002 when boxer Nigel Benn told comedian Rhona Cameron she was 'lucky you're not a man or I'd knock you, sparko' during a heated argument about constant moaning and homophobia allegations.
With the current series already showing signs of tension between Kelly Brook and Jack Osbourne, it seems the tradition of explosive I'm A Celebrity feuds is set to continue. The combination of hunger, heat, and huge personalities ensures that this reality television institution will keep delivering dramatic confrontations for years to come.
