I'm A Celeb 2024 contestant scandals - from Ofcom complaints to collapsed trial

As the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2024 line-up is confirmed, we take a look back at some of the scandals that have hit the contestants over the years

After waiting a year for a new series, a fresh batch of celebrities are set to swap their plush pads for the rustic surroundings of the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! jungle. They'll be facing everything from gruelling Bushtucker Trials to Kiosk Kev's mind-boggling puzzles, all in a bid to snatch the jungle crown from 2023 winner Sam Thompson, reports OK!.

The initial camp line-up has been announced, featuring stars like Coleen Rooney, Danny Jones and Oti Mabuse. However, as per tradition, there could be some surprise late entries into the camp. According to reports, Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles might be joining the jungle crew. So as the 2024 cast prepares for an unforgettable challenge, we delve into some of the controversies that have plagued the contestants...

Tulisa's collapsed trial

In 2013, N Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs, following a sting operation by an undercover journalist known as the Fake Sheikh. The reporter claimed Tulia had brokered a deal to sell him drugs as he posed as an influential film producer. The case made it to court, but the trial collapsed after a judge said they thought the journalist had lied in giving evidence.

The journalist was later tried on related charges and received a 15-month prison sentence. After the charges against her were dropped, Tulisa, who denied the drug charges, said: "Let me be perfectly clear, I have never dealt drugs and I have never been involved in taking or dealing cocaine. This whole case was a horrific and disgusting entrapment by Mazher Mahmood."

Jane Moore's Ofcom complaints

In another TV controversy, Jane Moore faced backlash during a Loose Women segment in March 2021, where the panel discussed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey. Host Charlene White shared her experiences with race, saying she'd been called "aggressive" for discussing it. Jane chimed in, stating that she'd been labelled "aggressive" and that it was "something you have to put up with as a woman".

The episode sparked 341 Ofcom complaints, with a spokesperson for the regulator confirming to the Express: "We received 240 complaints about Jane Moore's comments about casual racism," and an additional 84 complaints were about Charlene's hosting.

Barry McGuigan's legal battle

In 2020, a legal between Barry McGuigan and boxer Carl Frampton, who he previously managed, was settled. In 2017 their partnership broke down and Carl and Cyclone Promotions sued one another. Carl sued Barry and Cyclone Promotions for alleged withheld earnings while Barry claimed against Carl for breach of contract in a counter suit. Both parties denied each other's allegations. Both denied the allegations against them. The dispute was resolved out of court in November that year.

GK Barry's controversial podcast guest

Grace Keeling, who is better known as GK Barry and hosts the popular Saving Grace podcast, recently faced a wave of criticism after an episode featuring OnlyFans sensation Bonnie Blue went viral. The interview drew particular attention for a contentious moment where Bonnie recounted an encounter with a father and son duo, stating: "When the son first saw me with his dad, I thought he was going to tell me off but he wasn't, he was jealous and wanted to join in."

Coleen Rooney's Wagatha Christie saga

In 2022, the Wagatha Christie trial grabbed the headlines when Rebekah Vardy took legal action after Coleen Rooney alleged that Rebekah's Instagram account was linked to stories about her being leaked to the press. When the trial concluded, the judge declared that Coleen's accusation was "substantially true".

Following the verdict, both Rebekah and Coleen issued statements, with mother-of-five Rebekah reiterating her claim that she was unaware of the leaks, and stating that the judge "got it wrong and this is something I cannot accept."

On the other hand, Coleen expressed her satisfaction with the outcome while maintaining that she "never believed [the case] should have gone to court at such expense in times of hardship for so many people when the money could have been far better spent helping others."