Boy George has reportedly signed up for ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.
The cult show, which is finally returning to Australia after two years of filming in Wales due to Covid, will allegedly pay the star £1 million to head into the jungle.
Earlier this year, Boy George quelled rumours he’d be joining the show – teasing he would only do so if bosses created a ‘vegan version’.
‘Serious clothing restrictions’
In previous years, the celeb had been a rumoured contestant to join the show. Back in 2016, he joked: “There would be serious clothing restrictions in the jungle.
“I’d have to get certain hats made and I couldn’t get over the food. I would have a problem with that.”
However, after allegedly becoming the top paid campmate in I’m A Celeb history, it looks like Boy George will finally be going down under.
According to reports, the star won’t be forced to consume animal products during mealtimes or the during the show’s infamous Bushtucker Trials.
Is Boy George vegan?
Boy George first spoke out about his dietary choices in 2013, writing on Twitter: “I’m not vegan or raw. I have lots of vegan and raw food. I don’t have cow’s produce ever! I am gay though!”
Then, in a 2018 interview on This Morning – the star said: “I’m vegetarian, not vegan. I couldn’t live in a world without cheese… I have cheese every day.”
The singer also follows Nichiren Buddhism – which, although not required, does ‘tend generally to look favourably upon vegetarianism‘.
It isn’t clear whether the 60-year-old has finally transitioned to a 100 per cent plant-based diet – but his Twitter is filled with pro-vegan messages.
Earlier this year, he wrote: “Just shoved the new vegan Marks & Spencer lasagne in the oven for my tea! Anyone else tried it? Will let you know how it goes!”
Hey Vegans. Check out @stemandglory in the city. mmmm!
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 20, 2022
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here
Hosted by Ant & Dec, I’m a Celeb has been at the forefront of criticism surrounding animal welfare concerns.
This is due to the show’s bushtucker trials which, in the past, have seen live and dead animals be consumed by contestants in an effort to win meals for their campmates.
In 2019, presenter Chris Packham slammed the show for ‘abusing animals’ during his speech at the TV Choice Awards. Months later, and show producers announced they had permanently ended bushtucker trials that involve eating live insects.
However, animals will still be used in other forms of trials, including being confined in small spaces with contestants.
Want to know which other famous faces have adopted a vegan diet? Check out our round-up of the hottest vegan celebrities
Featured image: Jim Bennett via Getty Images
