Former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Boy George has claimed ITV bosses manipulate the contestants to push certain narratives in is new book.
The 62-year-old Culture Club frontman appeared on the 2022 series of the show and was the fourth campmate to be voted out of the jungle.
During his time on the show, George endured a number of flare-ups with Health Secretary Matt Hancock – and disliked the MP from the start.
He was also unhappy when quizzed by A Place In The Sun‘s Scarlette Douglas about the time he spent in prison.
The jungle reality series, which is due to return on Sunday, November 19, is beloved for its unscripted scenes and candid chats between its celebrity stars.
Shocking revelations: Former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Boy George has claimed ITV bosses manipulate the contestants to push certain narratives in is new book
Campmate: The 62-year-old Culture Club frontman appeared on the 2022 series of the show and was the fourth campmate to be voted out of the jungle
But in his newly-released autobiography, Karma, Boy George has claimed that ITV bosses in fact push certain narratives by ‘planting questions’.
Speaking about Scarlette’s questioning of his past, he wrote: ‘At the time it felt like she had been told to ask the question. She had no idea of the facts and it upset me.
‘ITV will insist that they do not instruct conversations but they plant questions in people’s minds.
‘I was even asked to talk to Jill about being gay.’
The Karma Chameleon singer also claimed scenes mocking Hancock – who ended up reaching the final – were cut from the show’s final edit as bosses wanted him to go far in the show.
As part of this ‘objective’, he said scenes including Sue Cleaver serenading Matt in the voice of Margaret Thatcher to I Will Survive did not air, despite being ‘hilarious’.
He continued: ”I thought ITV would have secretly loved a Matt win.’
George discusses his time on the show extensively in the chapter titled ‘Jungle Is Massive’.
New release: Karma: My Autobiography is out now (Boy George is pictured at his book signing on Thursday)
Telling all: George discusses his time on the show extensively in the chapter titled ‘Jungle Is Massive’
Clash: During his time on the show, George endured a number of flare-ups with Health Secretary Matt Hancock – and disliked the MP from the start
Drama: He was also unhappy when quizzed by A Place In The Sun ‘s Scarlette Douglas about the time he spent in prison
Lifting the lid: But in his newly-released autobiography, Karma, Boy George has claimed that ITV bosses in fact push certain narratives by ‘planting questions’
He complained that the drinking water was ‘hideous’ and revealed Olivia Attwood was given extra food when the producers began to worry about her health.
The former campmate had frequent low moments throughout the competition as he struggled with the conditions of jungle life.
He said: ‘I was fourth out of the 11 to be voted out. Was I disappointed not to have got further? No. It was a blessed relief. I was paid well for my dues.’
He added that he went on the show for his substantial fee, which is thought to be £500,000.
‘I got paid well to do it and I can’t pretend that wasn’t another good reason.
‘With [Culture Club drummer] Jon Moss and his money-sucking lawsuit breathing down my neck I felt like it was a gig I couldn’t turn down.’
Speaking about Scarlette’s questioning of his past, he wrote: ‘At the time it felt like she had been told to ask the question. She had no idea of the facts and it upset me
Scoop: He continued: ‘ITV will insist that they do not instruct conversations but they plant questions in people’s minds’
Party: Boy George celebrated the launch of his new autobiography Karma with celebrities and fans in London’s West End this week
Launch: The Culture Club legend enjoyed an exclusive Bloomsbury Square event complete with a double decker bus
While on the show, Boy George proved a tempestuous campmate, often butting heads with Matt Hancock – once calling him ‘slimy’.
He also clashed with Loose Women’s Charlene White, calling her ‘controlling’ as she organised cooking in camp.
Boy George previously revealed his unhappiness at Matt’s entrance into the jungle, explaining that his mother had a difficult battle with Covid-19, during Matt’s run as Health Secretary.
MailOnline has reached out to ITV for comment.
Karma: My Autobiography by Boy George is out now.
