Ant & Dec HATED the title of I'm A Celeb! before it aired 😱
The pair thought it would change!
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! is now a staple of British television. When it first aired back in 2002 with nation's sweethearts Ant and Dec at the helm, it may have sounded like a bizarre concept - but 18 years later, the beloved show is still going... Even amid COVID-19!
However, Ant and Dec have now revealed that although they loved the concept when it was first pitched, they were NOT fans of the super-long title of the show, and were convinced it would be changed before airing.
In an interview with the BBC, Ant admitted, "The producers came in, they explained, 'So, we’re going to get these celebrities, we’re going to put them in a jungle, we’re going to make them face their fears and do trials and stuff.'
"And we were like, 'Well, this all sounds good, a bit like Big Brother and it’s a bit like other things, and they’re putting it all together. And what’s it called?’ and they said, 'I’m a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here!'."
Dec revealed, "We both looked at each other and we were like, 'Well that’s awful, isn’t it?'," as Ant added, "What a terrible title. We were like, 'Yeah we’ll do it, but the title will change, obviously'."
Scroll through to see which celebrities are rumoured to be appearing on I'm A Celeb 2020:
Jessie J
I'm A Celeb bosses have allegedly approached Jessie J following reports that they want to book "top talent to keep viewers hooked". We hope we get to see Channing Tatum waiting at the bridge for her, tbh.
Vernon Kay
Vernon Kay has apparently signed up for I'm A Celeb 2020 following a rumoured £250,000 pay check.
Beverley Callard
Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard is reportedly heading on the reality show later this year after she quit the cobbles in 2019.
Eric Cantona
ITV bosses apparently want to sign football legend Eric Cantona because of his 'bizarre comments'. Speaking to The Sun, show producer Richard Cowles admitted, "I just like the idea of Eric Cantona talking in French and coming up with really profound things. That would be good."
Tommy Fury
There's been odds that Tommy Fury could be heading onto I'm A Celeb but we doubt it because he's training for boxing and it's well known that all the celeb lose a LOT of weight in the jungle.
Lucy Fallon
She played Bethany Platt on Corrie but there's been speculation that we could be seeing Lucy Fallon on I'm A Celeb later this year.
Jasmine Armfield
It's also been rumoured that Jasmine Armfield - aka EastEnders' Bex Fowler - could be going on the show. We wonder if she'll following in the footsteps as Jacqueline Jossa and become queen of the jungle...
Paul Merson
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson could be heading on the ITV show after he opened up about struggling with gambling.
Matt Baker
After quitting The One Show, there's been reports that Matt Baker could be going on I'm A Celeb. This is what we want to see tbh.
Tamzin Outhwaite
Former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite is rumoured to be going on the show later this year.
AJ Pritchard
AJ Pritchard on I'm A Celeb? OK, this we've got to see. According to The Sun, the dancer is "keen to show people that there is a lot more to him" following his time on Strictly.
Ben Shephard
Ben Shephard recently announced he's taking a break from Good Morning Britain which has led to rumours speculating that he could be heading for I'm A Celeb.
Carole Baskin
Tiger King's Carole Baskin has apparently been offered 'big money' to star on I'm A Celeb. We would LOVE to see her doing Bushtucker trials but we doubt she'll want to eat any animals alive...
Jenny Ryan
Following her jaw-dropping stint on The X Factor: Celebrity, The Chase quizzer Jenny Ryan (aka The Vixen) has dropped a HUGE hint she's taking part in I'm A Celeb after its new location was announced. Taking to Twitter, she wrote, "My main reservations about doing I'm A Celeb have always been 1. The Spiders 2. The Snakes 3. The Heat. This could be a big opportunity for ol' Jenny."
Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls is the new bookies' favourite to join the cast of I'm A Celeb and we're sure his potential campmates would love it if he took part. The survival expert would be in his element on the show tbh.
Martin Kemp
Martin Kemp, who first rose to fame in 80s band Spandau Ballet before starring in EastEnders, is reportedly in talks with I'm A Celeb bosses a year after his son Roman finished in third place behind soap stars Jacqueline Jossa and Andrew Whyment in the 2019 final.
Lauren Simon
Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lauren Simon dropped a MAJOR hint she was headed for the castle with a very cryptic instagram post, but some thought it meant she was expecting...
Rylan
Ok, so it wasn't exactly confirmation but everyone's favourite TV personality Rylan Clark-Neal didn't say he WASN'T up for it.
Speaking to heat of the 2020 relocation, he said, "Well, I might do it now.
"No, I'm totally joking. I've always said I'd never go on the show, because of the 24-hour flight, so now everyone is saying I can finally do it.
"Abso-f-cking-lutely no way. Lording it up in a castle sounds lovely, but I know it won't be as easy as it sounds."
Boo :(
Rob Kardashian
Rob Kardashian has had his odds of taking part in I'm A Celeb slashed by bookies following the cancellation of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Could he follow in the footsteps of Caitlyn Jenner?
Scott Disick
Rob isn't the only KUWTK star rumoured for this year's I'm A Celeb as Kourtney Kardashian's ex Scott Disick has also had his odds slashed.
Jake Wood
EastEnders legend Jake Wood is another TV star who has been tipped by the bookies to take part in I'm A Celeb following the announcement he was leaving the BBC soap.
Jessica Plummer
Another EastEnders star rumoured to be doing I'm A Celeb this year is Jessica Plummer - aka Chantelle Akins. The rumours come shortly after she left the show following her harrowing domestic abuse storyline.
Clearly, Ant and Dec didn't get their way - and thank goodness! The show wouldn't have been the same without the hilariously wordy title.
This year's iteration of I'm A Celeb! will take place in the UK due to Coronavirus restrictions - with the celebs camping out at the abandoned Gwrych Castle, Abergele in North Wales. This will be the first time ever that the show has not been filmed in Australia.