TV bosses deny jungle camp cleared of insects

The makers of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! Today denied claims that the show’s Australian jungle camp has been cleared of dangerous snakes and insects and insisted it is an “exceptionally cruel” place.

Reports today claimed that Granada has hired Aborigines to hunt down and exterminate any dangerous creepy-crawlies from the area where the celebrities will be staying when the latest series begins on Monday.

The reports also suggested the camp was just a short drive up a hill from a children’s playground and that the nearest town, Murwillumbah, was within walking distance.

However, a spokeswoman for Granada said: “we absolutely refute these claims.” She said the celebrities’ camp was nowhere near any roads.

“We stand by the fact that the area used for I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! Is an exceptionally cruel environment where dangerous snakes and insects are indigenous to the area and the conditions are humid and very hot,” she said.

“We refute claims that the camp has been cleared prior to the celebrities going in.

“If there is a specific threat to the celebrities while they are in the camp, we have trained wranglers on site to deal with it.

“The camp where they will be spending the next two weeks is surrounded by dense rainforest, were they are contained by natural barriers.

“It is also important to point out that the 10 celebrities have been removed from their pampered lifestyles to live for up to two weeks in this environment with only the most basic essentials.”

The spokeswoman added: “There is a small road, which is more like a dirt track, which leads directly up to the production camp. This is nowhere near where the celebrities are based – there are no roads anywhere near their camp site.”

Former Sex Pistol John Lydon, glamour model Jordan, long-suffering Alex Best and ex-pop stars Peter Andre and Kerry McFadden are among the celebrities taking part.

The others are shamed aristocrat Lord Brocket, royal reporter Jennie Bond, ex-Olympic athlete Diane Modahl, soccer hardman Neil Ruddock and DJ Mike Read.

They finally came face to face with each other at a champagne reception at a plush six-star hotel on Queensland’s Gold Coast yesterday, but the luxury ends tomorrow when they begin their jungle survival training.

On Monday the team will finally be dropped by helicopter into the jungle and must trek to their base at the foot of a volcano.