The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! camp has reportedly been invaded by poisonous toads.
The iconic ITV reality show is returning this month, but with the stars set to arrive in Australia in a matter of days, producers are said to be facing an unexpected challenge far worse than any Bushtucker Trial.
If disturbed by humans – including any potential campmates – the amphibians can squirt toxins into their eyes, causing vision problems and pain.
As if that wasn’t scary enough, if anyone touches one of the toads with their bare hands, the creature’s milky venom secreted through its glands would seep through human skin.
That can have an effect on the heart and breathing, so bosses are working hard to ensure the area is clear in time for the new series.
A source told the Mirror: ‘As if there weren’t enough things for the campers to worry about like spiders, snakes and ticks, now it looks like they’ll have to keep an eye out for armies of these poisonous pests.
‘They love ponds so the jungle creek and even the famous shower area will need to be monitored closely.’
This year, the cane toad’s population in the Gold Coast – the site of the ITV show – has soared thanks to wet and humid weather, which is the animal’s ideal mating conditions.
One female can lay up to 35,000 eggs, and there has been a concerted effort to keep the population under control, including in the Dungay Creek area in Murwillumbah, where the camp is based.
An insider added: ‘All the stars are given strict and in-depth talks about the wildlife they could come face to face with out there and how to deal with them for safety reasons.’
With a couple of weeks to go until the new series, the likes of Coleen Rooney, Tulisa Contostavlos, Oti Mabuse and Rev. Richard Coles are all rumoured to be heading Down Under.
Tommy Fury had also been linked to the show but it’s reported he quit with just weeks to go, instead agreeing to a boxing rematch against KSI.
It’s said McFly rocker Danny Jones is in final talks to replace him, and potential follow in bandmate Dougie Poynter’s footsteps by becoming King of the Jungle.
Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.
I’m A Celebrity returns on Sunday, November 17 on ITV1 and ITVX.
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