I’m a Celebrity’s most viewed episode was series 3’s finale when Kerry Katona won

A new study has revealed that Series 18 of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! was the most viewed series of I’m a Celebrity.

With the release of I’m A Celebrity All Stars this April, casino comparison site KingCasinoBonus.uk looked at historical viewing figures from BARB (Broadcasters Audience Research Board) to find which former series enthralled viewers the most and which series had viewers saying, “Get me out of here!” instead.

Here are the five most-viewed series of I’m a Celebrity:

1. Series 18 (2018)

Series 18 aired in 2018 and captured the public’s attention with its line-up. The series is the most viewed in I’m a Celebrity’s history, averaging 12.18 million viewers. This series saw football manager Harry Redknapp win, and celebrities like TV presenter Noel Edmonds, actor Emily Atack, and actor John Barrowman take part.

2. Series 13 (2013)

Series 13 was the second most viewed s of I’m a Celebrity, with 11.11 million viewers tuning in on average throughout its 2013 run. Westlife star Kian Egan won this series, and other celebrities included Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor Alfonso Ribeiro, and snooker player Steve Davis.

3. Series 20 (2020)

Series 20 saw an average of 11.05 million viewers tune in for its 2020 run, the third highest in the I’m a Celebrity series. Author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher won this year, with a few other participating celebrities including Olympic gold medallist runner Mo Farah, actor Shane Richie, and TV presenter Vernon Kay.

This year was the first series of I’m a Celebrity to take place outside of Australia, instead being filmed in Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Wales, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

4. Series 3 (2004)

The first of two series to air in 2004, Series 3 is the fourth most watched I’m a Celebrity series, with an average of 11.02 million viewers.

This series featured the most viewed finale of I’m a Celebrity ever, when 14.99 million people tuned in to see Kerry Katona beat former BBC Correspondent Jennie Bond and popstar Peter Andre to be crowned Queen of the Jungle.

Other notable participants included model Katie Price and Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon, the latter of whom withdrew from the series rather than be eliminated. Lydon also caused much controversy with his behaviour, insulting the viewing public with harsh language for not voting him off sooner.

5. Series 22 (2022)

An average of 10.94 million viewers tuned in to Series 22 in 2022, the fifth highest average viewership for an I’m a Celebrity series. Former England footballer Jill Scott claimed victory this year, as the show returned to Australia after two consecutive years at Gwrych Castle in Wales. Other notable celebrities that took part this year were former health secretary Matt Hancock, singer Boy George, and radio and TV presenter Chris Moyles.

Here are the five least-viewed series of I’m a Celebrity:

1. Series 7 (2007)

Series 7 had the fewest viewers tuning in, with just 7.45 million viewers on average throughout its 2007 run. Actor Christopher Biggins won this year, with notable appearances from supermodel Janice Dickinson, 5ive singer Jason ‘J’ Brown, and actress and model Gemma Atkinson. This series also saw the lowest viewership of any I’m a Celebrity episode, with only 5 million viewers tuning in to episode six on Friday, 16th November 2007.

2. Series 1 (2002)

Every show has to start somewhere, and I’m a Celebrity is no different. Series 1 had the second lowest viewership of any I’m a Celebrity series, with an average of only 7.57 million viewers for its 2002 run. BBC radio presenter Tony Blackburn was the inaugural winner and was joined by celebrities such as TV presenter Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, illusionist and self-claimed psychic Uri Geller, and glamour model Nell McAndrew.

3. Series 21 (2021)

Series 21 saw an average of 7.61 million viewers tune in to its 2021 run, the third lowest viewership of an I’m a Celebrity series. The second of two series to be filmed at Gwrych Castle due to COVID-19 restrictions, it saw Emmerdale actor Danny Miller crowned as the winner. He featured alongside former French footballer David Ginola, Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, and The Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge.

4. Series 6 (2006)

With an average of 7.96 million average viewers through its 2006 run, Series 6 has the fourth lowest viewership of all I’m a Celebrity series. Won by former Busted singer Matt Willis, Series 6 also saw celebrities such as Hear’Say singer Myleene Klass, actor and singer Jason Donovan, as well as music promoter David Gest take part.

5. Series 2 (2003)

Series 2 saw an average of 8.55 million viewers tune in to its 2003 run, the fifth lowest viewership for an I’m a Celebrity series. Building off the success of the first series, it was won by former England cricketer Phil Tufnell, who is the only winner confirmed to be returning for the All Stars series this year. Tufnell was joined by former England footballer John Fashanu, celebrity chef Antony Worral Thompson, and TV presenter and interior designer Linda Barker.

A spokesperson for KingCasinoBonus.uk commented:

“I’m a Celebrity has been a mainstay of television ever since it first aired in 2001, enthralling viewers with the drama between campmates and the gauntlet that are the dreaded Bushtucker Trials.

“The release of I’m a Celebrity All Stars promises to deliver bigger and tougher challenges in an even more unforgiving environment, as former series contestants return to compete to be the first I’m a Celebrity legend.

“With cricketer Phil Tufnell being the only confirmed former series winner to be returning for the new All Stars series, it will be interesting to see whether any surprise campmates will be introduced later in the series.”