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Im A Celeb fans fume within minutes of South Africa launch as they demand major shake up

Viewers took to social media to call for an earlier 8PM start time as the show kicked off on Monday night with Ant and Dec, with some fans saying the 10:30PM finish is too late

[Not everyone was happy as Im A Celebrity South Africa kicked off with Ant and Dec]

Not everyone was happy as Im A Celebrity South Africa kicked off with Ant and Dec(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)

Not everyone was thrilled as I'm A Celebrity South Africa launched with Ant and Dec on Monday night. As the fresh cast and returning campmates made their way to the 'jungle', viewers flocked to social media with their grievances. We witnessed some recognisable faces tackling the show's challenges once again.

In this pre-recorded series, audiences won't have the power to determine who departs camp or undertakes the trials, though they will select a champion at the conclusion. As the series, filmed towards the end of last year, commenced on Monday evening, several viewers shared identical requests for ITV and programme executives.

Noting that with a 9PM starting slot the programme wouldn't conclude until 10:30PM, fans pleaded with ITV for a scheduling overhaul. Multiple supporters proposed it should begin at 8PM instead, enabling audiences to "go to bed at a decent time".

[As the brand new cast and former campmates headed to the 'jungle', viewers were left taking to social media with a complaint]

As the brand new cast and former campmates headed to the 'jungle', viewers were left taking to social media with a complaint(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)

One viewer commented: "I think it could be good I just really wish it aired a bit earlier at 8pm or 8:30 so it doesn't finish so late." Another concurred: "Petition for #imaceleb to be on at 8pm to 9.30pm so we can all get to bed at a decent time."

A third fan simply copied and pasted the same comment, before another post read: "As it's pre recorded series get soaps on at 7pm and this on at 8pm." ITV confirmed a while ago that the series would return, before announcing: "The all-star version of the iconic I'm A Celebrity... format will once again bring together some of the most memorable campmates from series gone by, as they return to test themselves in brand new trials and challenges in the South African wilderness."

"The award-winning Ant and Dec are back as hosts, with the new series featuring a fresh group of returning campmates, spectacular locations within the South African landscape and some of the most epic and extreme trials in I'm A Celebrity... history." This year's cast includes Adam Thomas, Ashley Roberts, Scarlett Moffatt, David Haye, Beverley Callard, Seann Walsh, Sinitta and Sir Mo Farah all participating.

[As Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly returned to host I'm A Celebrity's pre-recorded spin-off series in South Africa, fans were left unimpressed]

As Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly returned to host I'm A Celebrity's pre-recorded spin-off series in South Africa, fans were left unimpressed(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)

Gemma Collins, Craig Charles, Jimmy Bullard and Harry Redknapp round off the line-up. Coronation Street star Beverley jumped at the opportunity to say yes after appearing in the Welsh version during the pandemic, reports the Mirror.

She admitted: "I was really flattered when I got the call. In fact, I was gobsmacked! But I said 'yes' because Wales was so different. We didn't get to experience the Australian jungle and the bedroom was minus one. To be part of the South Africa jungle is going to be a very different experience."

This year, the chiefs have altered the format following viewer grumbles about the lack of audience participation, with everything pre-recorded in the previous version. This time around, a live final will be filmed in London.

The grand finale is set for Friday, 24th April, three weeks after the show kicks off for a live final - promising heaps of drama and unexpected turns. The public will have the power to decide the winner in a live episode, while the inaugural series saw Myleene Klass take the crown as the champion, and show Legend.

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