This Morning’s Josie Gibson helps ITV triumph over BBC as she ‘signs up for I’m A Celeb in “six-figure mega deal” after bidding war with Strictly’
Josie Gibson has signed up to appear on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here after finding herself in a bidding war between ITV and BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The This Morning host, 38, has reportedly been offered a six figure ‘mega deal’ to appear in the jungle, a sum usually reserved for the biggest of stars.
According to The Sun producers were so determined to sign Josie they forked out the cash with an offer the publicly funded BBC could not match.
A source told the publication: ‘She is seen as the perfect person for the jungle as she’s already such a familiar face on ITV and will bring her fanbase with her,’.
Going on to describe the star as ‘down to earth’ they said: ‘For all those reasons [I’m A Celeb producers] were hellbent on getting her. And if she was lured by the glitter of Strictly they weren’t going to let her go without a fight.
Big news! Josie Gibson, 38, has signed up to appear on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here after finding herself in a bidding war between ITV and BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing
Money bags: The This Morning, 38, has reportledy been offered a six figure ‘mega deal’ to appear in the jungle, a sum usually reserved for the biggest of stars
‘Talks between Josie’s reps and bosses of the two shows had been going on for months and represented a real dilemma for the telly host’.
MailOnline have contacted Josie’s reps and ITV for comment.
It comes after This Morning’s biggest stars Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Josie snubbed ITV’s summer party as the show fights for its survival following the Phillip Schofield scandal.
The only This Morning representative was Dermot O’Leary who has been hosting alongside Holly, as well as Alison, since Schofield’s departure in May.
Instead, Holly was seen in Portugal where she has a lavish villa next door to her former best friend Schofield.
The annual party, which was held at London’s five-star Mandrake hotel, was thrown by ITV’s under fire chief executive Carolyn McCall.
An ITV insider told MailOnline: ‘We keep being told what a close-knit family there is a This Morning and how they are so desperate to keep the show going but then only one of its stars turn up to the party.
‘Compared to previous years, the party wasn’t anywhere near as lively, the absence of some of the bigger ITV names wasn’t lost on anybody and the vibe felt subdued.
Jungle Josie: According to The Sun producers were so determined to sign Josie they forked out the cash with an offer the publicly funded BBC could not match (Myleene pictured in I’m A Celeb’s South African special)
Nabbed: A source said: ‘If she was lured by the glitter of Strictly they weren’t going to let her go without a fight (winners Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal pictured in 2022)
‘The party was held with the Phil saga still fresh in people’s minds, which had an impact on the talent from This Morning attending.’
Other notable absentees include Rochelle and Marvin Humes, who have previously hosted the ITV programme, chef Clodagh McKenna, and regular contributor Gyles Brandreth.
ITV big hitters such as Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid, Richard Madeley and Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden also skipped the party.
Reality favourites Olivia Attwood, Georgia Harrison, and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu did attend the event alongside a number of TOWIE stars.
No show: It comes after This Morning’s biggest stars Holly Willoughby (pictured) Alison Hammond and Josie snubbed ITV’s summer party as the show fights for its survival following the Phillip Schofield scandal
Going stag: The only This Morning representative was Dermot O’Leary who has been hosting alongside Holly, as well as Alison, since Schofield’s departure in May
The stars of This Morning could have thoroughly enjoyed the night as they weren’t needed at work today with ITV airing the Women’s World Cup in replacement of the daytime show.
Last year, Alison did attend the summer event, smiling in shades and a sunhat as she arrived at The Mandrake Hotel while Holly has avoided the bash since 2015.
Holly was seen soaking up the sun on the Algarve where she was dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a white blouse.
She is holidaying with her TV producer husband Dan Baldwin and their three children Harry, Belle and Chester.
Holly is currently on her annual leave, which she started early following the death of Dan’s mother earlier this month.
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