I’m A Celebrity 2025 Launch Sparks Viewer Complaints Within Minutes as Fans Call for Major Format Change

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! returned to ITV screens on Sunday night (November 16), marking the start of its highly anticipated 25th anniversary series. But despite the excitement surrounding the milestone season — and its star-studded lineup — viewers were already voicing frustrations within minutes of the first episode airing (ITV).

ITV unveiled this year’s cast earlier in the week, confirming big names such as Martin Kemp, Kelly Brook, Lisa Riley, social-media personality Angry Ginge, and several other well-known TV favourites. Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly resumed their long-running hosting duties, kicking off what ITV has called one of its “most ambitious seasons yet” (ITV press release; BBC Entertainment).

A Familiar Opening That Viewers Say Has Become “Predictable”

True to tradition, the launch episode opened with each celebrity being flown high above the Australian jungle in a helicopter before being instructed to parachute into the camp area. The high-altitude jump has been a signature part of I’m A Celebrity openings for more than a decade, designed to test nerves and set the tone for the challenges ahead (The Guardian, TV Review Archive).

But when Ant and Dec told the cast they would be jumping mid-flight, several contestants reacted with shock — some gasping, some screaming, and others expressing disbelief. Their reactions, however, did not land well with many viewers at home.

The criticism began almost instantly on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), where users argued the celebrities should have expected the stunt.

One viewer wrote:

“#ImACeleb Why are they screaming? They always parachute out, ffs.”

Another said:

“Did they really think they could just casually step out of the helicopter though?”

A third added:

“There’s no way they’re shocked — this literally happens every launch episode.”

Others echoed the same sentiment, calling the reactions “forced,” “over-the-top,” or “impossible to believe after 25 years of the same format.”

Digital Spy also noted that many fans online expressed “fatigue with the parachute routine,” calling it one of the show’s only elements that has never been altered in decades (Digital Spy, viewer reaction roundup).

Ant and Dec returned as hosts (Credit: ITV)

Fans Say It’s Time for ITV to “Refresh the Formula”

Not all complaints were about the celebrities’ reactions — many viewers argued that the show itself needs a shake-up.

One X user insisted:

“Can they change the formula a bit? They jump out of a helicopter every year.”

Another wrote:

“Really, helicopter jumps again?? Surely you can think of something better after all these years.”

A third commented:

“After 25 seasons, it’s about time they changed the launch show to something that doesn’t involve jumping out of a helicopter.”

Several viewers pointed out that the show has evolved in some areas — introducing new Bushtucker trials, changing camp locations, and featuring more diverse lineups — but the opening sequence remains unchanged.

Media reviewers from The Guardian and Metro UK similarly noted that the helicopter jump, while iconic, has begun to feel “formulaic,” with some calling it a “relic of early 2000s reality TV” (The Guardian TV review; Metro Entertainment).

The celebs jumped out of a helicopter (Credit: ITV)

Extended Launch Episode Adds to Mixed Reactions

Tonight’s premiere ran 35 minutes longer than a standard episode, stretching well past the one-hour mark. ITV confirmed the extended runtime was part of the channel’s “anniversary programming” to celebrate the show’s 25th year (ITV).

Some fans welcomed the extra footage, relishing the chance to see more celebrity interactions, behind-the-scenes moments, and Ant and Dec’s signature comedy.

But others felt the expanded episode dragged:

• “Too long for the first night,”

• “Feels padded,”

• “Could’ve been shorter — not much actually happened,”

were among comments posted across social media and reported by Radio Times, which also highlighted the mixed audience response (Radio Times).

---

What to Expect Next in the 2025 Season

ITV has teased that this year’s series will include:

• Several brand-new Bushtucker Trials,

• A return of some “fan-favourite” endurance challenges,

• A redesigned main camp,

• And special anniversary surprises set to be unveiled later in the season (ITV press office; BBC Entertainment report).

Despite the early criticism, the show remains one of ITV’s biggest annual ratings successes, often topping weekly charts and drawing millions of viewers during peak episodes.