Nick Ferrari, a familiar face on This Morning, has reportedly stirred up a bit of a storm for the 2025 season of “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!” by withdrawing from negotiations at the last moment.

The seasoned broadcaster, now 66, had initially engaged in discussions with ITV. However, it seems his commitments at LBC, where he anchors the weekday breakfast show, proved too important. Reports indicate that LBC executives stepped in, offering a counterproposal to keep him grounded in the UK.

In an effort to retain Ferrari’s talent, the radio station was willing to match any financial offer made by the popular reality show. This move underscores his value not just at LBC, where he has been a mainstay since 2004, but also as a regular contributor on This Morning.

A source close to the situation revealed, “Radio bosses were prepared to match any fee because they see him as an indispensable and cherished figure in the LBC lineup.”

Ultimately, Global, the parent company of LBC, managed to hold onto Ferrari by leveraging their financial resources. His participation in the show would have seen him off the airwaves for up to six weeks, a prospect they were eager to avoid.

‘Ultimately, Global was able to flex its financial muscles and managed to keep their man. If he had signed up, he would have been off air for up to six weeks which they were keen not to happen’. 

This Morning’s Nick Ferrari, 66, has reportedly thrown 2025’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! into chaos after pulling out of talks at the last minute

The veteran broadcaster sat down with ITV before his bosses at LBC, where he hosts weekday breakfast show, intervened to stop him jetting off down under (hosts Ant and Dec pictured)

They told The Sun: ‘Nick is really well liked by those working on LBC and everyone thinks he has played a blinder by getting a payrise out of it’.

Daily Mail have contacted Nick’s representatives and LBC for comment. 

It comes after Kelly Brook was seen arriving at Heathrow Airport as she prepared to jet off to Australia for her stint in I’m A Celeb on Saturday.

Despite upcoming Bushtucker Trials the model, 45, appeared in great spirits and flashed a huge smile as she became the first star to set off down under. 

Kelly cut a casual figure for the long journey in from fitting brown tracksuit which she teamed with a pair of £1,000 Chanel sandals and matching £6,000 handbag. 

Shielding her eyes behind chic shades the stunner was helped with her luggage which had piled high on a trolley.

Back in 2018, Kelly said there would be ‘a million’ other things she would rather do like working in her local pub, than appear in the jungle. 

‘I don’t want to eat eyeballs or sheep testicles and all the things they have to eat on there,’ she said on her Heart radio show.

According to reports the radio station offered to match any fee Nick had been offered by I’m A Celeb in order to keep him on the UK airwaves

As well as hosting the early LBC show Nick Ferrari at Breakfast since 2004, Nick also regularly appears as a contributor on This Morning (pictured)

‘Even if I had a huge tax bill and I had to pay it really urgently, I still wouldn’t do it.’

But It was thought she was finally persuaded by a big money deal as she joins a soap, music and comedy legends in the line-up ahead of the show’s return later this month.

A source told The Sun of Kelly’s appearance: ‘Show bosses have been after Kelly as a campmate for years and think she could possibly be their sexiest contestant ever. 

‘She’s glamorous, witty and a familiar face to ITV audiences, having appeared as a panellist for Loose Women and other shows.

‘She’s guaranteed to make perfect TV viewing.’

She will join Ruby Wax, 72, whose best known work includes TV show Girls On Top and film Shock, and she has also written for BBC programme Absolutely Fabulous.

Nowadays she’s known as a mental health expert.    

It comes after Kelly Brook was seen arriving at Heathrow Airport as she prepared to jet off to Australia for her stint in I’m A Celeb on Saturday

A source told The Sun: ‘Ruby’s a proper TV legend and adds real gravitas to this year’s line-up. She’s interviewed some of the biggest stars in the world so will have no problem getting to know her fellow campmates.

‘It will make great TV for viewers.’ 

The show has also signed soap icons Shona McGarty, who played Whitney Dean on EastEnders between 2008 to 2024, and Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, known for her role as Mandy Dingle.

They will join actor and Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp, 64, as well as broadcasters Alex Scott, 41, and Vogue Williams, 40.

Jack Osbourne, 39, is also set to enter camp just four months after his rocker father Ozzy’s tragic death.

A source told The Sun: ‘Jack is very likely to discuss Ozzy, which will be an incredibly moving moment for the campmates and for viewers and fans of the adored rocker.’ 

The Black Sabbath legend died of heart failure aged 76 at his Buckinghamshire home on July 22, just two weeks after performing a farewell concert with his bandmates at Birmingham’s Villa Park.