Fans Left Stunned as Ruby’s “Rude, Unlikable” Behavior Causes Unexpected Storm – Calls for Removal Mount, but Defenders Insist It’s Her Signature Humor

The Australian jungle was meant to be a haven of Bushtucker trials and campmate camaraderie, but after just one episode of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 2025, comedian Ruby Wax has ignited a firestorm that’s threatening to consume the season. Viewers are reeling in shock, with thousands demanding her immediate removal from the show, accusing the 72-year-old comedy legend of being “rude, unlikable, and flat-out annoying.” The backlash exploded during Sunday’s premiere, when Ruby’s sharp-tongued quips left fellow campmates gasping and social media ablaze with fury. Yet, as petitions to “axe Ruby now” gain traction, a vocal wave of long-time fans is defending her fiercely, insisting the uproar is nothing more than a misunderstanding of her iconic, no-holds-barred humor.

The controversy ignited mere minutes into the launch episode, hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly from the show’s Springbrook set. Ruby entered the jungle alongside YouTuber Angry Ginge (Morgan Cooper), the pair bantering awkwardly as they zipped across the iconic Gold Rush bridge. When interviewer Alex Scott asked Ginge what he’d prefer to be called—”Ginge or Morgan?”—Ruby interjected with her trademark deadpan wit: “We’ll never call you that.” The line, delivered with a mischievous wink, was classic Wax—sarcastic and self-deprecating—but for some viewers, it landed as outright rudeness, kicking off a torrent of complaints. As the duo arrived in camp, Ruby reportedly quipped to Ginge during a group photo, “Move out of my light, you ginger giant,” poking fun at his red hair and stature in a way that had campmates exchanging uneasy glances and the audience murmuring.

The real flashpoint came during the first cooking challenge, where Ruby’s impatience boiled over. Struggling to prepare a slimy eel for dinner, she snapped at Jack Osbourne when he offered assistance: “Do you know what, you do it—you’re elbowing me like a caveman!” Osbourne, visibly taken aback, walked away muttering about her “performative gagging,” while Ruby’s exaggerated retching and complaints dominated the scene. The moment aired raw and unedited, leaving viewers divided. Social media lit up instantly: #RubyWaxOut trended with over 15,000 posts by midnight, fans venting their frustration. “Ruby Wax is already annoying everyone—get her out!” tweeted one viewer, while another fumed, “Rude and unlikeable from minute one. She’s going to p*** everyone off.” Ofcom complaints surged to 1,200 in 24 hours, with many citing her “disrespectful” tone toward Ginge, a 23-year-old newcomer navigating the spotlight for the first time. “It’s bullying disguised as comedy,” one parent wrote, echoing concerns about the impact on younger contestants.

But not everyone is buying the outrage. Ruby’s defenders, many from her Absolutely Fabulous writing era and Ruby Wax Meets fans, flooded replies with context. “All these idiot Gen Z’s not getting Ruby Wax’s humour. She’s a comedy legend,” one user with 10k likes posted. Another: “Ruby’s always been sarcastic 80s female comedy—it’s her brand! Overreacting much?” Ginge himself seemed unfazed, laughing it off in a confessional: “Ruby’s a force—I’m just trying to keep up.” Campmates like Aitch and Shona McGarty have rallied around her, with Shona joking on This Morning: “Ruby’s the mum we all need—tough love!”

ITV insiders say the network anticipated pushback but stands by Ruby, whose pre-show interviews teased “dispelling misconceptions” about her “aggressive” persona. “Ruby’s here to be herself—brash, brilliant, and boundary-pushing,” a producer told The Mirror. The show, now in its 25th season, has weathered controversies before—from Matt Hancock’s 2021 entry to Grace Dent’s 2023 exit—but Ruby’s debut has polarized faster than any in recent memory.

As Episode 2 airs tonight, the jungle tensions simmer. Will Ruby tone it down, or double down on her diva energy? One thing’s certain: after one episode, she’s already the show’s most talked-about star—for better or worse. Fans, buckle up: the Wax effect is just beginning.