Ant McPartlin triggered a wave of concern from I’m A Celebrity viewers on Sunday night after fans noticed something unusual about him just minutes into the episode — prompting many to beg ITV bosses to intervene.
During the latest instalment, Ant, 50, and co-host Declan Donnelly, also 50, returned to screens with their usual sharp humour and energetic banter. But very early on, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to say that Ant seemed noticeably different.
The Geordie presenter’s voice sounded unusually husky as he hosted a segment ahead of Emmerdale star Lisa Riley’s trial. Declan playfully patted him on the back in an attempt to clear his throat, joking: “Cough it up, son!”
A surprised Ant responded in jest: “I’ll shove you over there in a minute!” as he pretended to push Dec over the banister.
But viewers were less amused, quickly flocking to social media with messages such as:
“Poor Ant’s voice.”
“Oh dear, Ant doesn’t sound very well at all.”
“Someone get him a lemsip.”
“Awwww poor Ant has lost his voice.”
“Can someone please get some honey and lemon into the jungle?”
Many worried fans even asked whether the presenter needed a throat lozenge.
The flurry of comments came shortly after the show delivered another emotional moment: the eviction of comedian Eddie Kadi. The 42-year-old became the second contestant eliminated from the jungle on Sunday evening, after landing in the bottom two with Vogue Williams. Ant and Dec announced that Eddie had received the fewest viewer votes.
Fans were left “devastated,” insisting Eddie was one of the camp’s most underrated stars and arguing that Vogue or Kelly Brook should have been the ones to go. Eddie, who followed Lioness Alex Scott in the elimination lineup, said heartfelt farewells before sitting down for his exit interview.
Reflecting on his time in camp, he shared:
“I feel like I’ve been in there a year — it’s literally changed my life. Coming from Congo, with a massive rainforest, I feel like I’ve tasted what my grandparents lived through. They were humble and joyful no matter what. Even with no food, it shows we are enough as human beings.”
As the episode progressed, viewers continued to voice their surprise online:
“Eddie was the most underrated campmate.”
“I’m shocked Kelly is still there!”
“He didn’t deserve to go — so annoyed.”
“Nooooo! British people and their votes, honestly!”
Earlier in the episode, Shona and Lisa enjoyed their first morning as camp leader and deputy, waking up in comfort inside the treehouse. Eddie was assigned to cook the rice and admitted to Tom he was nervous:
“When you cook for yourself, no one judges you.”
Heading off for a shower, he left the rice on the fire. In the Bush Telegraph, he confidently said breakfast was nearly ready — but Kelly soon smelled burning.
She told viewers she had watched him put the rice on and walk away: “I had a feeling this morning it’s gonna be a little crispy!”
And she was right — the rice arrived charred, and the campmates weren’t impressed.
Jack joked: “It’s Eddie’s first race… he’s warming up.”
Meanwhile, tension continued to simmer around Vogue tending the fire, with Ruby whispering to Ginge: “She destroyed it. She doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
Vogue snapped back: “Are you two b****ing about me?” Ginge grinned and whispered: “Absolutely clueless.”
Later in the day, Shona entered camp clutching a laminate, nervously saying: “Please don’t hate me…” It revealed that contraband butter had been found. The group debated where it came from, but Shona admitted: “I’m not responsible, but I used it.”
As punishment, she was given two options: step down as leader or lose two stars from the group’s daily trial. She chose to step down, handing over leadership. Aitch threw her leaf “crown” onto the fire.
The camp voted for a new leader, with Ruby winning by a landslide.
She declared: “Things are about to change. No more Mrs Nice Guy!”
She issued playful, bossy orders: Shona would serve as her footstool, Aitch her entertainer, and Ginge her dancer — setting up a new wave of camp antics for the days ahead.
