GUTTED ex-I’m A Celebrity stars who isolated so they could take part this year have been told to go home instead, as they are not being used.
Former winners Joe Swash, 38, Vicky Pattison, 33, and Charlie Brooks, 39, were sent packing, as was ex-Towie star Joey Essex, 30.
They spent weeks preparing in accommodation around the North West in order to comply with Covid guidelines.
But they will not be appearing at the show’s new home in Gwrych Castle, North Wales.
We told earlier this month that they had been signed up.
However, Joey and former EastEnders star Charlie were yesterday seen leaving their temporary pads with their luggage.
A TV insider said it was a mystery why they had been sent home.
They said: “It was never clear exactly what role the four stars would play on the series, but it’s obvious they’d been chosen as they were among the most popular former contestants.
“They were being prepared through isolation to ensure there was no risk of them bringing coronavirus on to the set and infecting the other celebrities or the crew and causing chaos.
“It’s the same procedure which the 12 campmates have already been through.
“But it’s not clear why Joe, Vicky, Charlie and Joey haven’t made it to the final stage and walked through the castle gates to join the other celebrities.”
Bringing in former campmates was intended to mark the landmark 20th series.
It is believed the four had not been told what their involvement might be when they started their isolation period earlier month.
Producers were discussing whether to put them in for a night, get them to present a trial or have them pop up in new, yet-to-be-decided features.
They were advised to get ready for “all eventualities” and to pack appropriate clothing and any necessary items for a stay at the 19th-century pile.
The Grade I-listed building has become the show’s new home this year after Covid made filming impossible in its traditional base in New South Wales.
The 12 celebrities already in the castle all had to go into isolation before they reached the set.
It is believed the four on stand-by will still receive the fees they agreed on to take part.
Joe, who played Mickey Miller in EastEnders, won I’m A Celebrity in 2008, and went on to host its spin-off show.
Fellow Albert Square star Charlie, who played Janine Butcher on the BBC1 soap, triumphed in 2012.
Geordie Shore star Vicky was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2015.
Joey took part in the 13th series of I’m A Celebrity in 2013 and proved a huge hit with viewers.
The involvement of all the stars had been kept top secret by ITV.
Bosses even gave them codenames to avoid their identities leaking as they discussed their roles.
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