jungle snub 

The heartbreaking reason I’m a Celebrity will NEVER sign Kerry Katona for All Stars

KERRY Katona was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2004 with an estimated 14 million viewers tuning in to watch her win I’m a Celebrity.

In stark contrast, YouTuber Angry Ginge became the latest King of the Jungle last year – with the final pulling in half of that figure.

Kerry was the first Queen of the Jungle and has become synonymous with I’m a CelebrityCredit: Cameron Laird / Rex Features
 

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She pulled in double the viewers of most recent winner Angry GingeCredit: Shutterstock
 

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But Kerry herself has confessed she’s been snubbed by bosses when it comes to the ‘All Stars’ seriesCredit: Getty Images
So you might be wondering why Kerry, 45, was snubbed for both the first ‘All Stars’ series in South Africa in 2023 and the current spin-off, which features the likes of Gemma Collins (who lasted 72 hours in the jungle in 2014) and Sinitta, who was the second campmate axed in 2013.

We’re told that it’s not a simple answer, with jungle casting producers being consistently torn over whether or not to add Kerry to the line-up.

From drugs to bankruptcies and divorces, the former Atomic Kitten singer has always been refreshingly honest when it comes to her life – the good and the bad.

And maybe that’s the problem here.

A well-placed source said: “Everyone at I’m a Celeb loves Kerry and they’ll always back her as one of the most popular winners of the show.

“But times have changed and bosses have such a fine line to tread when it comes to keeping the audience happy. Kerry will tell you herself she’s like marmite, you either love her or you hate her!

“There are also big hoops to jump through when it comes to who can cope in such an environment.

“She was actually considered for the current ‘All Stars’ series but not everyone was on board. Sadly, it looks like – despite her being synonymous with the show – she’ll never get a chance to do it again.”

Kerry recently confessed she’s spoken to producers about doing the show on multiple occasions but they never come back to her.

She told The Sun: “I keep getting turned down for some reason.

“I think it’d be f**king amazing. I’ve been to the interviews for both series.

“And they said, ‘Definitely, Kerry. You were the first queen and had the highest ratings,’ but then they never came back. I’d do it in a heartbeat, not even to win it. Just for me.”

Not many celebrities would admit they’ve been snubbed by such a huge show but it’s another example of Kerry’s blunt honesty.

And we’re told that’s a big part of what’s holding I’m a Celeb back from signing the mum-of-five.

Our insider continued: “Kerry has a big mouth and she won’t be filtered, again something everyone loves her for.

“But bosses can’t take the risk of not knowing what she’ll say after the show is filmed, especially as the series is shot so far in advance.”

But Kerry fans shouldn’t fear as The Sun understands she’s recently held exciting meetings with telly bosses about making a big return to mainstream, after her ITV2 reality show The Next Chapter finished in 2011.

An insider said: “Kerry will be back on TV very soon. She’s in talks for her own prime time show with one of the big networks – watch this space.”

The Sun has reached out to representatives for Kerry Katona and ITV.

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Kerry’s series with pal Katie Price is one of the most iconic in the show’s historyCredit: ITV/Shutterstock
 

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She was known as a squeaky clean former member of girl group Atomic Kitten at the timeCredit: Rex
 

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Kerry is famous for her blunt honesty – never holding back when it comes to sharing the highs and lows in her lifeCredit: Channel 4