I’m A Celebrity stars are said to be banking a staggering amount for the show but some have come out on top, with one star thought to be taking home more than double the lowest paid celeb
(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
How much would you have to be paid to eat kangaroo testicles or endure being entombed in the Australian wilderness?
The salaries of I’m A Celebrity contestants typically remain shrouded in mystery… but this year certain figures seem to have emerged.
As the hit ITV programme, which airs on Virgin Media in Ireland, returns to our screens this Sunday (16 November), viewers are eagerly anticipating the gruelling series getting underway.
This year’s cast members’ pay packets have allegedly been disclosed to the media, and predictably each famous face is believed to be earning substantial sums for appearing in the popular reality series, reports the Mirror.
Yet a surprising star has emerged as the top earner, pocketing more than twice what the lowest-paid celebrity will receive.
According to a television source speaking to The Sun, these are the reported fees for this year’s I’m A Celeb lineup, arranged from smallest to largest.
Eddie Kadi
Eddie Kadi(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
The stand-up performer and broadcaster is earning the smallest fee of all the famous participants, though it still amounts to a substantial £75,000 (€84,810) for the programme.
The source noted his limited celebrity status meant his compensation wasn’t as generous as his fellow contestants, but added “his worth is set to shoot up as he’ll likely go far in there.”
Prior to his I’m A Celeb appearance, Eddie became the first Black British stand-up to headline London’s O2, and featured on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023.
He spent five weeks on the programme before he and partner Karen Hauer were knocked out.
Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Loose Women presenter Kelly Brook is believed to be earning £5,000 more than Eddie, pocketing £80,000 (€90,465) for her I’m A Celeb appearance.
Despite previously insisting she’d never take part, she explained her change of heart on Elizabeth Day’s How To Fail podcast.
She said: “What changed? Really good question. A friend of mine got asked to have a meeting with the producers of I’m A Celebrity and I said, ‘You have to do it, I love watching it, what an incredible life experience’… I was thinking, why can’t I give myself that advice?
“I realised it was basically out of fear, and I thought, it’s about time that I live my don’t give a da*n era.”
Martin Kemp
Martin Kemp(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Martin Kemp is collecting the third lowest fee, understood to be around £95,000 (€107,428). Whilst modest compared to other salaries this series, it’s still believed to be more than double what his son earned back in 2019.
Roman Kemp received approximately £40,000 (€45,232) for his time on the programme and survived 22 days in the jungle. His profile skyrocketed following the show, leading him to secure £1 million worth of work contracts over the next year.
Ruby Wax
Ruby Wax(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ruby is understood to be receiving £95,000 (€107,428).
The chat show legend is tipped by supporters to reach the final, with the 72 year old having already demonstrated survival credentials on Ruby Wax: Cast Away, where she was ‘marooned’ off the shore of a remote Madagascar island for ten days.
Consequently, she’s already familiar with isolated environments and depending on her own abilities to get by.
Lisa Riley
Lisa Riley(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Emmerdale favourite Lisa is believed to have secured a deal worth £95,000 (€107,428). She’s reportedly turned down the programme for years before finally agreeing to take part this time around.
A television source described her as the “perfect celebrity” for I’m A Celeb. “Lisa is the perfect celebrity for the show because not only is she from a soap watched by millions she’s one of its biggest characters and it’s an ITV show to boot.”
Shona McGarty
Shona McGarty(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
The EastEnders star, who’s engaged to Irish musician David Bracken, is also believed to be pocketing £95,000 (€107,428) for the programme.
Speaking about Shona, Ruby, Lisa and Martin, the insider revealed the quartet earning that sum were “all showbiz favourites” but didn’t attract younger viewers, meaning they wouldn’t be securing the largest fees.
They explained: “While they haven’t netted the biggest paydays because they aren’t the massive social media names that bring in the youth demographic ITV are after, they are still making solid cash.”
Angry Ginge
Angry Ginge(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Morgan Burthwhistle, known as Angry Ginge, is reportedly receiving £100,000 (€113,000) for appearing in the series.
The football influencer boasts several million social media followers and that has boosted his fee, according to the source, particularly as ITV are attempting to attract a younger demographic.
Alex Scott
Alex Scott (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Former Lioness Alex Scott is also understood to be earning £100,000 (€113,000).
The source revealed she was receiving an “impressive amount” as she is a “massive name”.
Insiders revealed that her bond with Jess Glynne, the vocalist behind Jet2’s holiday advert tune ‘Hold My Hand’, has made ITV executives willing to shell out more in hopes she might “spill the beans” about their relationship.
Jack Osbourne
Jack Osbourne(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ozzy Osbourne’s son is reportedly pocketing £200,000 (€226,175). Joining the show just a few months after his rockstar father’s passing, sources have dubbed Jack a “great addition” to the series.
This is not least because they anticipate viewers will be keen to “get his take on his loss” and gain insight into how the rest of the Osbournes are dealing with Ozzy’s death.
Aitch
Aitch(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
The top earner among the celebs is believed to be rapper Aitch, who is reportedly raking in a staggering £250,000 (€282,718).
The 25-year-old is thought to have been recruited to attract younger viewers, and his hefty following of 2.2 million on Instagram is sure to aid in this endeavour.
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