The iconic khaki-and-red wardrobe of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returned to screens on Sunday (16 November) as a fresh group of celebrities ventured into the Australian jungle — but there’s a rather grim purpose behind part of their outfit. While the clothing may look coordinated for TV, the show’s former medic has revealed that the red socks worn by contestants serve a very practical, and slightly unsettling, function.
Viewers watched as ten new campmates — including Jack Osbourne, Kelly Brook, Aitch, and Ruby Wax — touched down in the jungle for the series premiere. Although they arrived wearing their own clothes, each star eventually changed into the familiar jungle uniform: khaki hats and shirts, blue vests or tees, and the trademark red trousers, shorts, or gilets. Completing the outfit is a sturdy pair of walking boots paired with bright red socks — and those socks aren’t just for style points.
Bob McCarron, the show’s beloved former medic known to fans as “Medic Bob,” previously explained that the choice of red socks was made to hide bloodstains. Life in the jungle means sharing the environment with a variety of insects, including leeches and other blood-sucking critters. Tiny bites can leave small red marks that would be highly visible on white or light-coloured socks. Red socks, on the other hand, help disguise these specks and keep contestants from constantly worrying about every little nip.
McCarron told Woman’s Own that given the number of insects in camp, it was inevitable that the stars would suffer a few bites during their stay. The costume department therefore opted for red socks as a way to reduce distress — and save viewers from unnecessarily grim visuals. A practical solution, even if it adds a slightly eerie twist to the show’s otherwise cheerful colour palette.
Stars such as Kelly Brook are wearing the brightly coloured socks we're used to seeing for their jungle stint (ITV)
Though McCarron became a fan favourite thanks to his calm demeanour and extensive jungle knowledge, he stepped down from the series in 2022 after more than 20 years in the role. Reports suggested that he had become “too busy” to commit full-time to the series, although he continues to work in wildlife and emergency services in Australia. ITV wished him well at the time, noting, “Bob will always be a friend to the show. We thank him for his hard work.”
Despite the new season being only one day old, viewers already have plenty to talk about. The premiere included an “awkward” on-screen reunion between Kelly Brook and presenters Ant and Dec, decades after Brook’s famously brief stint as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. Piers Morgan even weighed in on the interaction, suggesting there may still be tension lingering beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, US comedian Ruby Wax made an unforgettable entrance by telling audiences an anecdote about being kicked off former President Donald Trump’s plane — a story that instantly grabbed viewers’ attention.
And if all of that unfolded in just the first 24 hours, fans can expect an eventful, drama-filled season ahead as the adventures, challenges, and inevitable campfire conversations continue to unfold deep in the jungle.
(Sources: ITV, Woman’s Own, BBC, The Independent)
