Why I'm A Celeb campmates no longer have their phone numbers on back of t-shirts

There's been a slight tweak to the I'm A Celeb camp uniform this year - the telephone numbers printed across the back of their jungle garms has disappeared.

And despite only a handful of eagle-eyed viewers having noticed, there's actually a pretty mad reason behind producers' decision after 22 years on air.

There has been a tweak to the I'm A Celeb uniform (ITV)

Ten stars were dropped into the Aussie jungle on Sunday night (17 November), including WAG icon Coleen Rooney, McFly musician Danny Jones, Strictly professional Oti Mabuse, Loose Women panellist Jane Moore, Radio 1 presenter Dean McCullough, N-Dubz star Tulisa, and boxing veteran Barry McGuigan.

Also joining them Down Under are TV presenter and DJ Melvin Odoom, Corrie actor Alan Halsall and TikTok influencer GK Barry, with Love Island bombshell Maura Higgins and radio host and author Rev Richard Coles believed to be joining the line-up soon as late entrants.

Last night, viewers were heartbroken to see former boxer Barry opening up about the heartbreaking 2019 passing of his daughter Danika, who died following a battle with bowel cancer.

And Coleen shed light on how it felt to know Rebekah Vardy had trademarked 'Wagatha Christie'.

While deep-diving into last night's emotional admissions , however, a batch of viewers couldn't help but notice something missing from the contestants' uniforms.

The t-shirts no longer bears the contestants' voting number (ITV)

As opposed to having their names and the number to call to vote for them sprawled across the backs of their t-shirts and shirts, it now only bears their moniker.

But why?

Well, to put it simply, it's because of the way that viewers at home will place their votes - for who will take on the trials, and later, who will win the show - has changed.

As opposed to dialling in using the unique phone number on campmates' clothes, fans are now advised to go through the official I'm A Celeb app.

Speaking to LADbible Group this week, an ITV representative explained: "Over the years, the number of people voting by phone has declined, and it's become a very small proportion of votes cast.

"To simplify the message to our viewers, we have chosen to only have free online (via the app) voting this year."

Voting protocol has changed (ITV)

Apparently, however, some viewers have been thrown off by Ant and Dec not yelling about the 'SHORT NUMBER' at them through their television sets anymore.

"All of the t-shirts having full government names on the back rather than their first names and a phone number is sending me," one penned on social media following last night's ep.

Another admitted: "Feels weird that no one has a phone number on their back this year.”

"No phone lines to vote this year then, I'm gonna miss hearing ‘The short number’ being said," a third added.

Another noted: "So 2024 is the year they’ve finally got rid of phone voting… who’s gonna shout call the SHORT NUMBER now."

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