The jungle’s first departure has left audiences both surprised and reflective as acclaimed jockey Frankie Dettori bids farewell from the latest season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 2023. The equestrian icon, known for his illustrious career in horse racing, exited the reality series after a viewer vote to save saw him leaving the camp on Sunday (3 December).
Hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the series introduced the public vote stage the day before, prompting viewers to rally behind their cherished contestants. It was unveiled that one participant would depart from the jungle marking the inaugural exit of the series and the countdown to the winner of 2023.
Retired jockey Dettori found himself facing YouTube luminary and TV presenter Nella Rose as the first celebrity to be eliminated from the show. Amidst the anticipation, it was Dettori who received the news of his departure, much to the surprise of some of the viewers at home.
Amongst the commotion, GB News anchor and detested politician Nigel Farage jestingly commented to Dettori, “It’s a fix, Frankie. You were last in and first out!” The departure follows after Grace Dent and Jamie-Lynn Spears withdrew from the show due to medical reasons, which first stirred the dynamics within the camp.
Dettori first stepped into camp as a late entrant alongside boxer Tony Bellew, as the celebrities split into two teams with Dettori and Bellew acting as coaches for teams Home and Away as part of The Scarena set of trials where the winners won a luscious breakfast. Dettori ended up leading his team to victory.
Expressing his sentiments to hosts Ant and Dec, Dettori conveyed disappointment but also pride in enduring 12 days amidst the challenges of the jungle. “I met some wonderful people and it’s been a fantastic experience,” he said. He also vocalised his support for Sam Thompson, referring to him as “a larger-than-life character” and endorsing him to win.
In parallel events during Sunday night’s episode, tensions rose within the camp as First Dates star Fred Sirieix found himself at odds with former UKIP and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage. A conversation on environmental matters sparked contention, with Sirieix expressing his exasperation over Farage’s viewpoints. All the while having to work with the politician on washing up duties, doubling the efforts after the breakfast pot was dirty when they woke up in the morning – something Josie Gibson had to point out after Siriex went mad a week or so ago when the roles were reversed, claiming that Gibson and Rose weren’t washing up properly.
Tensions flowed over later in the evening when Siriex’s constant frustration at not being the camp’s cook brewed up again as he told Gibson how he would cook the Wallaby sausages and the potatoes. Gibson met Siriex head on head stating that she grew up on bangers and chips and that she knew how to cook these food items.
This is after Rose conquered the “Fright at the Museum” trial where she managed to score nine stars out of ten. This marks her highest amount of stars earned in a single trial, after taking part in a total of eight trials since entering the camp.
Moreover, Farage encountered friction with fellow contestant Sam Thompson, criticising his contribution to the camp. Thompson, visibly perturbed, candidly voiced his irritation in the Bush Telegraph, labelling Farage a “d***” for “ratting” him out.
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2023 continues to captivate audiences, airing Sunday to Friday at 9 PM and Saturday at 9.30 PM on ITV1 with catch-up being available on ITV1+1 and ITVX. You can follow all of this year’s campmates on social media by checking out our article when the campmates were announced.
