The I’m A Celeb stars paid £20k despite never entering the jungle or being shown on TV

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I’M A Celebrity standby stars get paid £20,000 even if they don’t make it into the jungle.

According to former campmate Nicola McLean, a number of celebrities are flown out to Australia just in case someone is forced to leave the ITV show early but they are very rarely used.

I’m a Celeb has returned with a new batch of famous faces

However it looks like one of the stand-by celebs may be called upon this year, following Olivia Attwood’s shock exit after just 24 hours.

Nicola claimed that Timmy Mallett was on standby for three years before he finally got on the show in 2008.

Spilling the beans in her Closer magazine column, she previously wrote: “Aside from the two late comers, other celebrities are standby in case anyone gets injured or ill – but get sent home once the voting starts, as then it doesn’t matter if someone leaves.

“They travel first class, stay in a hotel and get paid £20,000. Timmy Mallett did that for three years before he got in, but that’s rare because most don’t go in the show.”

She also claimed that if you appear as a guest on Extra Camp before going on the main show, you won’t ever get to go in the jungle because you would see “how it works too well”.

Nicola McLean appeared on the show in 2008 and has spilled the beans
Nicola says Timmy Mallett was on standby for three years before getting on

This year Matt Hancock and comedian Seann Walsh are set to be late entries into the jungle.

Nicola appeared on I’m A Celeb in 2008 alongside Timmy Mallett.

During her stint on the show, the WAG was seen frequently rowing with David Van Day.

She eventually came in sixth place in the competition after impressing viewers in the iconic jungle shower and can-do attitude.

Matt Hancock will be one of the late entrants this series, alongside Seann Walsh