'I'm a Celebrity' receives huge boost in viewers with new series

Sam Moore
Updated ·2 min read
Ant and Dec host 'I'm a Celebrity'. (ITV)
Ant and Dec host 'I'm a Celebrity'. (ITV)

The first episode of the new series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here premiered with a peak audience of over 10 million viewers.

Returning to Australia for the first time since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ant & Dec fronted show has seen a huge boost in viewership and was the biggest entertainment launch of 2022.

Official figures have revealed that the show racked up 10.3million TV viewers at the first night's peak, with a total of 9.1million watching the entire episode.

Read more: 'I'm A Celebrity' 2022: Boy George wants to be King or Queen of Jungle

The broadcast was ITV's most watched program since the final of the European Championships last summer.

Boy George is due to enter the Australian jungle as part of the new series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here. (ITV)
Boy George is part of the new series of 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here'. (ITV)

It was also the most watched debut episode of any show on UK TV this year outside of sporting events and special occassions such as the Queen's funeral.

Around 2 million more people watched the premiere of I'm a Celebrity compared to last year which saw the show filmed in Wales due to travel restrictions still in place because of the pandemic.

Though ten new campmates arrived in Australia, Olivia Attwood has already withdrawn from the show on medical grounds.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Matt Hancock, former cabinet minster, at BBC Broadcasting House after appearing on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on October 16, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
Matt Hancock is set to appear on 'I'm a Celebrity'. (Getty Images)

The Love Island star appeared in the first episode and was seen jumping out of a helicopter with Chris Moyles but later left the jungle as a medical precaution.

She was then told by doctors that it would not be safe for her to return to the show.

Among the other contestants this year are pop legend Boy George and former rugby player Mike Tindall who is also a member of the Royal Family.

Matt Hancock is also set to join the show at a later date. His decision to appear on the reality show saw him suspended as a Conservative MP and criticised by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Hancock defended his decision to appear on I'm a Celebrity and said it was a chance to connect with voters and the public.

Watch below: 'I'm a Celeb' star Olivia Attwood quits show after just 24 hours