For twelve brilliant seasons, fans watched stars experience grueling trials for the sole purpose of entertainment and charity on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia.
So, everyone was shocked when Network 10 confirmed to The Weekly that I’m A Celebrity had been cancelled in May 2026 due to budget cuts.
Such changes also impacted I’m A Celebrity’s format, which involved pre-recording the 2026 series rather than airing live as it has done since 2015. This allowed episodes to be filmed back-to-back. As a result, the show could cut costs of accommodating cast and crew over a longer period of time in South Africa, where they film the Australian iteration.
Two months after I’m A Celebrity was cancelled, 2026 Gold Logie nominee and former host Julia Morris has touched on its end while speaking on the Something to Talk About podcast with Sarah LeMarquand.
“In the jungle we worked 17 hour days for 31 days in a row. (That’s) how we had to roll it out as a pre-recorded show,” Julia said. “500 crew work on this show, it’s a massive show. I just couldn’t see how the numbers were sustainable.
“Even years ago I’d be thinking, ‘We can make it smaller’… then people get furious about ‘You used to serve sparkling water, now you … have still water, it’s ruined it!’ You’d be like, ‘We’re lucky to have a job, mate!’
Despite this disappointing end to the reality program, Julia “loved every moment.”
“I’m A Celebrity, and our whole jungle family who make this show have made it the best working experience of my lifetime,” she said following the cancellation. “I have loved every moment and will be forever grateful to Beverley and the whole team at Network 10 for not only believing in this show but nurturing it for 12 years. And to our jungle family watching from home, we love you.”
Her co-host and Wildlife Warrior, Robert Irwin, had only hosted three seasons before its cancellation. However, his impact will last a lifetime.
“I want to express what an absolute privilege it has been to work on this show for the past three seasons,” Robert shared.
“I grew up watching this show as so many Aussies do, so to be part of the fantastic team that make this series a reality felt like a dream come true. We have had the honour of sharing incredible stories and create a platform to shine a light on amazing charities that our celebrities have supported along the way. And to do it all alongside my co-host, and friend, Julia Morris, made it a truly life-changing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
With media and television undergoing major shifts, it is not unusual for networks to vet the success of shows. Similarly, the network revamped Australian Survivor with a host swap to battle the declining viewership.
This news comes shortly after newcomer host Robert Irwin was confirmed to host the US iteration of Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro. As Wildlife Warrior fans know, he was crowned the champion of the 2025 season and ultimately stole American hearts. Due to Robert’s phenomenal popularity, we should presume that this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the young Irwin on Australian screens.
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