I’M A Celebrity stars will be allowed controversial Ozempic injections in camp.
The diabetes jab, also used for weight loss, will be given off camera to any celeb with a prescription on the show, hosted by Ant and Dec.
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Contestants have found the eating challenges hard to swallow for 24 years — but they would be all but impossible for those with zero appetite from getting the Ozempic jab on the show.
Clashes between “hangry” stars desperate for their next meal could also become a thing of the past, to viewers’ dismay.
ITV medics are willing to administer the drug off-camera, and outside camp, to any celeb with a doctors’ note or prescription explaining they are already on Ozempic.
That is in keeping with ITV’s rules on medicines rather than being a new rule for the so-called wonder drug. All celebs taking part in the show must fully disclose their medical history.
A source explained: “The drug is already controversial after being exploited by stars for weight loss rather than diabetes, but it’s not for ITV to pass judgment.
“Any celeb on medication while in the jungle goes to ITV’s off-camera medical team as often as they need.
“It will be no different with Ozempic. So long as celebs have a proper doctors’ note, and the drug has been prescribed, they will be able to get their regular injection as normal.
“It won’t just be lying around the camp. Ozempic pens have to be stored in the fridge so they will have to be safely stored under lock and key off-site.
“The same applies for other drugs that can produce weight-loss results including Mounjaro and Wegovy.
“This year’s line-up hasn’t been finalised but bosses are almost certain someone will be on Ozempic.”
If any campmates are taking the drug they may still need lower dose jabs during the series.
It is not recommended to stop taking Ozempic overnight as it can cause blood-sugar fluctuations or severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
Instead users should taper off their dosage over a few weeks.
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Those in talks for this year include singer Tulisa Contostavlos and foul-mouthed influencer GK Barry.
Boxer Tommy Fury, Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall and Strictly’s Oti Mabuse are also set to star.
There is no suggestion they, or hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, take Ozempic.
Originally created to combat Type 2 diabetes, the drug has become hugely popular with celebs.
Popular as they work
By Lizzie Parry, Head of Health
WEIGHT-loss jabs such as Ozempic are a class of drugs called GLP-1 that help people slim by mimicking fullness hormones.
Their popularity has exploded because they work so well.
Studies suggest they may also slash the risk of serious heart diseases and cancers.
The NHS mainly prescribes them to people with type 2 diabetes, and the obese. Private clinics sell them to almost anyone who wants to lose weight.
The scale of their use is unknown although hundreds of thousands of Britons are likely to be using them.
They must be taken regularly to work and are usually self-injected once a day or once a week.
Side-effects include sickness, diarrhoea and stomach pains.
Actress Rebel Wilson, Tesla tycoon Elon Musk, and chat-show queen Oprah Winfrey have said they take it for weight loss.
But there can be serious side- effects. Actor Stephen Fry stopped taking the jabs as he was left vomiting four times a day.
This month model Lottie Moss, 26, urged followers not to take Ozempic after she suffered a seizure from a high dose.
Politicians are keen for the public to decide by asking their doctor if they should take the drug, and not just be swayed by social media ads.
Bushtucker Trials in the last series saw winner Sam Thompson almost vomit and Reform MP Nigel Farage try to scoff a “four-penis pizza”.
Series 24 is expected to start in mid November.
An ITV source said: “As part of the well-established and robust casting process each celebrity has a full medical assessment to make sure they are fit to take part.”
This year’s hopefuls so far
- Oti Mabuse: Former Strictly dancer, 34
- Tommy Fury: Love Islander and boxer, 25
- Tulisa: Singer and X Factor judge, 36
- Alan Halsall: Corrie’s Tyrone Dobbs, 42
- GK Barry: Internet personality, 25
