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04th Dec 2024

I’m A Celeb hit with Ofcom complaints over Ant and Dec joke

Charlie Herbert

Dozens of complaints have been made for the second week running

I’m A Celebrity has been on the receiving end of a number of Ofcom complaints over jokes made by hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.

For the second week in a row, some viewers have been left unhappy by gags being made by the two presenters from the jungle.

According to the Mirror, the complaints relate to jokes made about Reverend Richard Coles, who was a late arrival into the jungle alongside Love Island star Maura Higgins.

Another 50 complaints have come in to Ofcom over the jokes, on top of the 70 complaints made by viewers last week.

A lot of the jokes made by Ant and Dec have made reference to Richard’s religion and life as a reverend. One of the long-running jokes has involved Ant clasping his hands together like a vicar whilst pretending to give a sermon in a mocked church voice with organ music in the background.

One one such occasion, he said: “Though the night before there had been darkness and a plague of insects had been visited upon him. But he had receiveth a small bounty that did taste of cheese. And now, praise be, he did rise again.”

Dec said: “So basically you are saying Richard had a fright, got some crisps, then had a sleep and got out of bed?”

Ant replied: “Yes my child.” 

The Ofcom complaints reportedly centre around jokes Ant and Dec are making about Reverend Richard Coles (ITV)

Meanwhile, during an eating trial involving Richard, Dec asked him “more tea vicar?”, and later, when he described the challenge as “unholy,” Ant quipped that he meant “bum-holey.”

Since arriving in the jungle, Reverend Richard has been popular both with his campmates and the public at home, and is now one of the favourites to be crowned the winner of the show.

In particular, his friendship with TikToker GK Barry has captured the hearts of many at home.

Just eight celebs are left in the show, with the new king or queen of the jungle set to be crowned in the final on Sunday (9 December).