I'm a Celebrity viewing figures drop by 2 million with 2023 launch
This year's launch show was watched by 7 million viewers, according to overnight ratings.
The launch show for I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2023 aired last night (Sunday 19th November), and while it scored an average of 7 million viewers according to overnight ratings, this was a substantial drop-off from last year's launch.
The 2022 launch show was watched by an average of 9.1 million, with that season featuring a cast including Jill Scott, Owen Warner and Matt Hancock. That year's premiere was also up around 2 million from the 2021 season.
This drop in ratings came as some fans threatened to boycott the show, with #BoycottImACeleb trending on Twitter, which has recently been rebranded as X, amid the controversy surrounding the casting of former UKIP and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage.
Before entering the jungle, Farage described himself as "a hero for some people and an absolute villain to millions".
This year's celebrity line-up also includes former EastEnders actress Danielle Harold, JLS star and presenter Marvin Humes and First Dates' Fred Sirieix.
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Sirieix said of entering the jungle: "I knew it was serious when I got the call. I got scared and I don't like to be limited by fear. But then I thought, 'OK, this is a challenge,' and I knew I wanted to do it.
"It's a challenge to be away from my friends, family, comfort, only drinking water, no coffee, no wine, no mustard on my steak and – in fact – no steak!
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"I am seeing this as a wellness retreat. It's an opportunity to get closer to myself inside my head and to see life through a different lens and in a place I feel uncomfortable."
This year has seen two seasons of I'm a Celebrity air, with the first being set in South Africa and seeing a host of memorable former campmates returning, in a bid to be crowned the first ever I'm a Celebrity Legend – with Myleene Klass emerging triumphant.
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! airs at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
