The early exits of Alex and Eddie on this season of “I’m A Celebrity” weren’t isolated incidents; they were the latest brushstrokes on a deeply troubling canvas. A pattern has emerged, one that suggests a systemic bias within British reality television, and this year’s results have brought it into stark relief.
For years, contestants of color have faced an uphill battle on these shows, consistently falling short of victory. In fact, the last time a person of color even reached the final three was in 2016. This isn’t merely a matter of chance; it’s a disheartening reality that speaks volumes about the viewing public and the narratives they choose to support.
The contrast is particularly jarring when considering the success of figures like Nigel Farage, whose controversial views haven’t hindered his progress. His strong showing last year underscores a disturbing trend: the elevation of divisive personalities while marginalized contestants are swiftly dismissed.
This isn’t a recent development. Racism within British reality TV has been a persistent issue, and the situation appears to be worsening, not improving. It’s a backslide that reflects a broader societal failure to address ingrained biases.
The experiences of Black women and women of color are often the most severe, marked by underrepresentation, hostile treatment from fellow contestants, and relentless negativity from viewers. This year, scrutiny has fallen on the disproportionate number of dance-offs faced by Balvinder Sopal on “Strictly,” with many suspecting racial motivations, and similar criticisms arose during “Love Island.”
Even before the current season began, the outcome felt predetermined. The predictable dismissal of contestants of color reveals a deeply ingrained prejudice within the UK viewing public. A University of Nottingham study, analyzing 35 series of “Big Brother,” confirmed the existence of discriminatory patterns against ethnic minorities.
The impact extends beyond the shows themselves. Whitney Adebayo, a star from the Sidemen’s “Inside” reality show, recently spoke out about the horrific racism she endured after appearing on the program, describing it as “evil, hatred and pure racism.”
Past contestants have also bravely shared their experiences. Vas Morgan, formerly on “The Only Way is Essex,” revealed he was subjected to racist slurs, prompting the show to implement an anti-racism policy. Similarly, Misha B on “X Factor” accused the show of perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
The silence surrounding this issue on “I’m A Celebrity” is deafening, especially given ITV’s previous responses to accusations of racism on “Love Island.” While the network publicly refuted claims of bias, words alone are clearly insufficient.
Measurable action is needed. Shows must take responsibility by carefully vetting the personalities they platform, avoiding the elevation of provocative, right-wing figures. Production teams also need to provide more robust support for contestants navigating the intense scrutiny of social media.
However, the core of the problem lies with the public’s voting habits. A fundamental cultural shift is required to address the underlying biases that permeate British society. This change demands a collective effort from politicians, the media, and individuals alike.
Until such a shift occurs, the grim streak on “I’m A Celebrity” – and across British reality television – is likely to continue. Alex and Eddie, and countless others before them, deserved better than to be casualties of a prejudiced system.
