A sixteen-year chill finally began to thaw as Kelly Brook faced her first challenge on “I’m A Celebrity…” – a reunion with Ant and Dec. The air crackled with anticipation, viewers bracing for a potential on-screen clash stemming from a deeply rooted feud.
The origins of the conflict trace back to 2009, when Brook joined the “Britain’s Got Talent” judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan, and Amanda Holden. She was intended as a fourth judge, a role that ultimately proved short-lived and fraught with tension.
Brook’s initial optimism quickly faded. While publicly attributed to the four-judge format not quite working, the reality, she later discovered, was far more pointed. She was led to believe Ant and Dec played a significant role in her dismissal from the show.
“The people at ITV were telling me that I had upset Ant and Dec, and that was it,” Brook revealed, expressing her disappointment. Despite pleasant interactions to her face, she felt their egos couldn’t tolerate an outsider joining their established dynamic.
Rumors swirled that the hosts viewed her past as a Page 3 girl with disdain, questioning her talent and suitability for the role. The situation escalated, becoming known within industry circles as “the Kelly problem.”
Ant and Dec themselves addressed the situation in their 2009 memoir, recounting a seemingly innocuous exchange that highlighted their skepticism. Brook, they wrote, asked them what they *did* on the show, a question they found remarkably presumptuous.
The duo openly admitted they didn’t understand the reasoning behind Brook’s hiring and didn’t personally agree with the decision. Their candidness fueled the animosity, and the pair haven’t worked together since – until now.
As Brook prepared for a dramatic skydive onto the beach, Ant and Dec greeted her with seemingly genuine warmth. They playfully corrected her misinterpretation of a vehicle as a “cock van,” calling it a “Cockie van” instead, offering a moment of lighthearted reassurance.
Despite the friendly exchange, viewers remained skeptical, flooding social media with questions and predictions of impending conflict. Many wondered if Brook would finally address the past and reveal her true feelings about the hosts.
Brook, known for not forgetting perceived slights, has reportedly been preparing for “great television,” suggesting she may be ready to confront the past. Whether Ant and Dec will reciprocate remains to be seen, leaving the future of their dynamic shrouded in uncertainty.
