Ant McPartlin speaks out after rumors of I’m A Celebrity being rigged following Nella Rose’s camp leader win: ‘It was a fair vote’

Ant McPartlin has spoken out against claims on social media that I’m a Celebrity is ‘fixed’ after an unpopular Nella Rose is voted camp leader by her co-stars.

On Friday night it was revealed the TikTok star, 26, would be taking over as camp leader from the Made in Chelsea’s Sam Thompson after she won a secret ballot by three votes.

Viewers were quick to say the outcome was ‘obvious’ because of previous claims the show was ‘fixed’ in Nella Rose’s favour and producers were ‘aiding’ her throughout the process.

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But long-serving host, Ant, 48, took the unusual step of hitting back at the fix accusations that are engulfing the show, saying: ‘I saw a few people on social media say that it was obvious [that Nella was voted camp leader].

‘No, it wasn’t. It was a complete blind vote which they’ve done down there, it was completely up to the campmates.

Ant McPartlin has spoken out against claims on social media that I’m a Celebrity is ‘fixed’ after an unpopular Nella Rose is voted camp leader by her co-stars

On Friday night it was revealed the TikTok star, 26, would be taking over as camp leader from the Made in Chelsea ’s Sam Thompson after she won a secret ballot by three votes

‘Not up to anybody here in production. They obviously enjoy her in camp and think that she needs to be camp leader and we like it because it’s great for the show.’

His co-host, Declan Donnelly, 48, added: ‘It’s great content.’

It is rare for Ant and Dec to address social media speculation but last night Ant made a point on their Instagram Live of impressing that the producers had played no hand in influencing the celebrities’ votes.

Much to the anger of viewers, Nella has shaken up the camp and made Fred Sirieix, who ‘made her life hell’ in the camp, do the pot washing in her place and tasked Josie Gibson with the cooking.

Camp leader means the YouTube star cannot do chores and delegates to others – she was voted in for the role by Marvin, Tony and one of the other women.

Viewers are convinced her campmates would not have voted her in and one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Anyone else thinking of stopping watching I’m a Celebrity?

‘The whole thing feels fixed. Nella Rose not doing tasks and was made camp leader!’

The announcement of the camp leader came just before it was announced Nella would be exempt from the tonight’s Trial which further annoyed viewers.

But long-serving host, Ant, 48, took the unusual step of hitting back at the fix accusations that are engulfing the show, saying: ‘I saw a few people on social media say that it was obvious [that Nella was voted camp leader]. No, it wasn’t. It was a complete blind vote which they’ve done down there, it was completely up to the campmates’

The YouTube star has quit yet ANOTHER trial on Friday after she was accused by viewers of receiving ‘special treatment’ from producers

For this trial, viewers were given the chance to vote which celebrity would face each critter, setting the stage for some to face their biggest phobias. Each celebrity was then strapped down inside a giant drain 

Discovering which critter had been paired with each celebrity, it was revealed Nella would be joined by cockroaches in the compartment

One person wrote: ‘Of surprise, surprise. Nella Rose is exempt from the next trial. The producers are afraid if she gets voted for another trial she will leave on “medical grounds”.

It comes after an ITV spokesperson debunked claims that Nella was given preferential treatment by producers who allegedly advised the TikTok star to stop having arguments with Nigel Farage.

Viewers have slammed the internet personality on social media over her ‘aggressive’ approach towards the former UKIP and Reform UK leader and it is believed producers are guiding her away from the backlash.

Nella, Tony Bellew, Nick Pickard, Sam Thompson and Nigel took on the Grim Gutter trial in a gruelling challenge on Friday’s episode.

Yet once again the YouTube star was unable to see a trial through as she became the latest celebrity to say ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here’ after Josie Gibson quit her trial during Thursday evening’s episode. 

For this trial, viewers were given the chance to vote which celebrity would face each critter, setting the stage for some to face their biggest phobias. 

Each celebrity was then strapped down inside a giant drain and within each section there were two stars that needed to be unlocked. 

The public could vote between snakes, rats, frogs, spiders and cockroaches to be put in boxes with the celebrities. 

Discovering which critter had been paired with each celebrity, it was revealed Nella would be joined by cockroaches in the compartment. 

Meanwhile Nick and Tony were joined by snakes, Sam was joined by toads and Nigel by rats.   

During the trial, a shaking Nella reminded herself: ‘Don’t panic,’ as she tried to unlock the keys in her box. 

Yet despite Nick’s attempts to keep the team calm, Nella bowed out of the challenge as she exclaimed : ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here’ again. 

Supported by Nick he assured her: ‘Don’t worry Nells, don’t worry.’

Nella said: ‘I’m so sorry guys.’

Dec then confirmed that Nella had decided to quit the trial and Ant confirmed: ‘7 stars you’re playing for now as she left some [keys] in there.’

Boxing champion Tony was also terrified as a snake moved around him, exclaiming: ‘He’s massive!’

While Nick tried to calm him down: ‘Keep steady, keep talking, You’re bigger than him.’

Tony replied: ‘I’m laying down, it’s as big as me!’

At the end of time Nigel didn’t unlock any stars, while Nick, Tony and Sam’s two each resulted in a haul of six stars and six meals for camp. 

Nella was accused by viewers of receiving special treatment from producers of the show after the managed to avoid facing spiders during the challenge. 

After it was announced the voting lines were open, viewers flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to encourage others to vote spiders for the TikTok star because she admitted to her fear of them.

One person wrote: ‘Obviously we’re all voting for Nella Rose to go in with spiders… right everyone?’

But when fans went on the app to pick for Nella, there was no option for spiders but, instead, two buttons with snakes on.

At the end of time Nigel didn’t unlock any stars, while Nick, Tony and Sam’s two each resulted in a haul of six stars and six meals for camp

Special treatment claims for Nella from ITV producers have continued as the voting option for her to face spiders in the Bushtucker Trial was removed

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! producers have also reportedly had a ‘gentle’ word with Nella after her fiery clashes with Nigel Farage