Insider reveals I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! was almost axed – but one Aussie star saved the series

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia is said to have been on the chopping block until one ratings-saving addition was made to the jungle series.

Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal the show, which sees celebrities living in the jungle with few creature comforts, wasn’t expected to return this year.

According to an inside source, host Julia Morris told a close friend she was not confident the show would run again until Robert Irwin was introduced to the series.

The Wildlife Warrior’s addition to the reality TV show after former co-host Dr Chris Brown jumped ship to Channel Seven reinvigorated the series.  

‘I think if Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris were still hosting “celeb” it might have been done, but the show’s addition of Robert Irwin has given the show new life. The youngest Irwin has really saved the show,’ the source said.

‘There are also a lot of established fans that have supported this show over the years and I think being back in January is the right decision for the show and there are some great people behind the show’s production.

‘It helps when you have a solid team that believes in the show and the “celeb family” behind the scenes were not going without a fight.’

The insider went on to say that ITV Australia, the company that produces I’m A Celeb, rallied for the show to stay in the line-up, citing Robert, 20, among the show’s strengths.   

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia is said to have been on the chopping block until one ratings-saving addition was made to the jungle series. Pictured: Julia Morris, 56, and former co-host Dr Chris Brown, 46

‘Robert being a star was obviously a part of that pitch,’ they said.

A part of the push to keep I’m A Celeb on the air was also the failure of the Gladiators reboot, produced by Warner Bros.

After I’m A Celeb suffered a major ratings decline in 2022, Channel Ten moved it from it’s primetime January slot to April.

They replaced it with the Australian Gladiators reboot, which launched with high hopes but failed to sustain its initial viewership.  

Hosted by Beau Ryan and Liz Ellis, the show drew a substantial summer audience of 395,000 metro viewers for its premiere.

According to an inside source, host Julia Morris told a close friend she was not confident the show would run again until Robert Irwin, 20, (left) was introduced to the series

Unfortunately, the numbers plummeted to just 196,000 for the second episode.   

‘When [I’m A Celeb] was in January it really worked and set up the year for Network Ten,’ the source said.

They added: ‘Network Ten really felt the pain of launching with Gladiators at the wrong time and they quickly realised that “the jungle” is a better summer series. It belongs in January.

‘Gladiators failed because it was too similar to a sports program. The January series needs to be something completely different to the Australian Open. To offer an alternative to young families.

‘It’s the only format that has worked in that January [slot] for Network Ten and it sets up a strong year – to be ahead of the eight ball. That lead into the ratings year is very important.’

The Wildlife Warrior’s addition to the reality TV show, as former co-host Dr Chris Brown jumped ship to Channel Seven, reinvigorated the series

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Ten for comment.

Robert was immediately a huge hit with fans when he made his debut on I’m A Celeb in March.  

Social media users went wild over him when he appeared alongside long-time host Julia, 56. 

‘Robert Irwin, what an absolute natural. They could not have found a better replacement if they tried. Looking forward to this season,’ wrote one person on X. 

‘I like Robert Irwin as a host; he’s a smooth transition from Brownie,’ said another thrilled fan. 

Robert was immediately a huge hit with fans when he made his debut on I’m A Celeb in March

‘Look, not gonna lie, I was highly skeptical Robert would be able to fill the Dr Chris void, but he did a great job. Think he’s going to fit in very well,’ someone else said. 

Robert performed so well on the show he landed himself a nomination for the Gold Logie, and was quickly crowned as Australia’s most popular TV talent amid his impressive rise to success as a top presenter. 

Despite being a relative newcomer to Aussie screens, he impressively toppled comedic veteran Hamish Blake from the number one spot on the Australian Talent Index’s 2024 Top Talent Report.

In his first ever appearance on the list, he also beat household names including Andy Lee, Dr Chris Brown, Sunrise’s Natalie Barr and Sophie Monk in a landslide victory.