I adore I’m a Celeb but the Unpacked spin-off doesn’t work at all – here’s what needs to change if it returns

I REALLY hate the fact that I am writing this because I so wanted the I'm A Celeb spin-off to work.

When bosses decided to axe the original companion show, Extra Camp, I was utterly devastated.

I was previously a regular part of the infamously raucous audience in Big Brother's Bit On The Side.

To be invited back on that show was a privilege but more than anything, I appreciate the value of spin-off shows.

They are a good way for programmes to release news and exclusives on their terms and I saw Rylan Clark and Emma Willis close up on a weekly basis.

Some of the content these panel shows air on-screen is also a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look in a structured and safe way.

But I just don't think that I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked did that for me this year.

I wanted to feel Jungle fever, but instead I didn't even feel lightly flushed.

Ok, that maybe a lie, because I did feel the flushed tones of the presenters as they desperately tried to add some sort of flavour to the programme.

I also don't entirely want to criticise the presenters either because each of them are amazing broadcasters for different reasons.

Joel Dommett is an ITV favourite and we all LOVE his work on The Masked Singer and it's clear why.

Having finished as the runner-up in the 16th edition of I'm A Celebrity back in 2016, his connection to the programme is clear.

When he presented Extra Camp with Joe Swash and Scarlett Moffatt, the programme was brilliant.

Emily Atack and Adam Thomas joined him for the 2019 series of the spin-off and it still appeared to be of a very high standard.

Like most people on TV today, he might not be every person's cup of tea, but he is definitely suited to an ITV2 audience.

But this year, something just felt off.

We all loved Sam Thompson in the jungle last year when he brightened up camp with his infectious energy and his banter with Tony Bellew.

Apart from a few minor blips with A-list interviews on social media, he's also proven himself to be a very solid broadcaster.

But the studio atmosphere with him and Joel just does not work at all as it feels both these lads are almost unintentionally fighting for the same presenting role.

They are both funny, both witty, and both infectious. But I fear there is not room in the studio for the pair of them together.

I wanted to feel Jungle fever, but instead I didn't even feel lightly flushed.

Sam is at his best when he is giving viewers a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the Bushtucker Trial clearing.

The former Made in Chelsea star shines when he uses his own personal experience to give an insightful hot take on what the celebs can expect.

I think if they don't use Sam in the studio and make him either a full time roving reporter that would be a better use of his talents.

If they wanted him in the studio, producers could get him by a big plasma screen going through hilarious social media reactions.

Or they could give him a seperate area for a different personal segment he could really make his own.

Bosses need to properly define his role on the show, because the dynamics as they are do not make the stars look the best that they could be.

I think having him AND Joel as equal co-presenters also distracts from the dedicated weekly jungle guest ITV execs fly out.

Will Best and Ruth Langsford are great star bookings, but their showbiz commentary was drowned out by the dynamics.

Making Sam Thompson a full-time roving reporter would be better

Then there's the question of Kemi Rodgers, and it's a real shame because she is a very capable and talented presenter.

She has an established fanbase as the host of the mid-morning show on Capital Radio.

Her links to camera are clear and concise and she definitely has potential to be one of the country's mainstay TV faces of the future.

But aside from another gig, she has no obvious connection to the programme like Sam and Joel do as former campmates.

When the likes of Vicky Pattison, Scarlett, and Emily fronted the show, they were all former campmates.

Their connection to the jungle was genuine and unfortunately this is something that Kemi does not have, no matter how talented she is.

I would love to see her actually go into the jungle next year and then return to the spin-off two years down the line, to be welcomed back with open arms.

The spin-off series is a fantastic idea, but like camp every year, a little refurb would not go amiss.

All the episodes from the 2024 series of I'm A Celebrity are available to watch back on ITVX.