I'm A Celeb viewers convinced Ant and Dec gave away their ‘real’ feelings about Dean during latest trial

We're just one week into the 2024 series of I'm A Celeb, and camp-mate Dean McCullough has seemingly rubbed everybody up the wrong way - even presenters Ant and Dec.

The Geordie hosts were forced to apologise last week for calling Dean out on his controversial antics - describing their own behaviour as 'unprofessional' - but now, viewers are convinced that the pair simply cannot hide their true feelings about the radio star any longer.

Radio 1 front-man Dean, 32, has proven quite the controversial character throughout the duration of his jungle stint so far.

Despite initially winning over viewers by firing a 'Wagatha Christie' joke at Coleen Rooney, the Northern Irish media personality quickly found himself in hot water after he began receiving votes to take on dreaded Bushtucker Trials.

In several challenges so far, he has demanded producers remove him by yelling 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here' just minutes into each one and forfeiting meals for his camp-mates.

Ant and Dec previously claimed they were 'disappointed' to see Dean sack off the intricately crafted challenges so quickly, admitting they wanted 'to see the whole thing'.

"There’s a lot of time gone into the trials so when it’s called early your like, 'Aww'," Dec told I'm A Celeb: Unpacked viewers last week.

"That’s why we continued to ask him some questions after because we were really enjoying it."

Ant and Dec previously admitted they were 'disappointed' by Dean's efforts (ITV)

Ant then went on to confirm that crew members do become disgruntled when contestants throw minimal effort into trials, adding: "They just want to see it done properly."

And though they have since apologised for their remarks - confessing Ant's 'annoyance came across on screen' and describing their behaviour as 'unprofessional' - the presenting duo have since kept viewers in stitches with their responses to Dean's on-screen antics.

After he was once again voted to take on another trial last night, viewers picked up on a handful of passive aggressive remarks by the hosts, believing the pair are unable to hide their true feelings for Dean.

Introducing last night's trial - which would be carried out alongside camp-mate Coleen - Dec began by pointedly explaining: "You can stop the trial anytime - Dean, as you know - by saying, 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here' and we'll stop the trial."

Then, after Coleen warned Dean, "You've got to be in it," Ant then jibed, "Oh, she's telling him! He's in it. He's always in it - we don't know for how long," before Dec burst into tears.

Dean took on another trial last night (ITV)

And later, throughout the duration of the trial, viewers couldn't help but spot a number of looks the presenters made at the camera whilst Dean was screaming and whining.

Once it was over - with Dean and Coleen bagging nine stars out of 12 - the hosts bid the contestants adieu, with Ant shouting, "Bye, Dean! Love you, Dean!"

"It's a very intense relationship," Dec the joked, pointing between Dean and Ant.

"It really is," Ant confirmed. "[It got very intense] very quickly."

Taking to social media afterwards, one viewer joked: "ant and dec aren’t even TRYING to act like they like dean anymore now THIS is telly"

The pair continued to poke fun at Dean (ITV)

"Ant & Dec now going off script every episode, just to roast Dean for our viewing pleasure," a second went on.

"Ant and Dec are sick of Dean and so are the rest of us" a third predicted.

Another added: "The utter dislike for Dean from Ant and dec is far more entertaining than the trial."

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