Ant and Dec 'disappointed' as Dean McCullough quits 'easiest I'm A Celeb trial'

Ant and Dec have shared their frustration over Dean McCullough's decision to quit Tuesday night's trial, branding it a disappointing moment in this year's I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! The iconic hosts made the remarks on ITV2’s spin-off show, I’m A Celebrity Unpacked, alongside Joel Dommett, Sam Thompson, and Kemi Rodgers.

Radio presenter Dean, 32, became the first 2024 campmate to utter the infamous words "I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!" as he broke down in tears during The Sinister Sarcophagus trial.

The challenge saw him confined in a small space while being surrounded by sand, mealworms, and crickets as he attempted to win 10 stars for his camp.

Reflecting on the trial, Dec admitted: "We are genuinely disappointed because you are prepared to do the whole trial and you want to see the whole thing. There's a lot of time gone into the trials, so when it's called early, you're like, 'oh.'"

Ant agreed, adding: "That's why we continued to ask him some questions after because we were really enjoying it."

While they admitted to being frustrated, Dec also joked: "But on the other side we’re like, 'oh, bit of an early finish, let's get out and get a suntan.'"

The Geordie duo explained that the crew also feels disheartened when trials end early, given the effort that goes into designing and building them.

Ant noted: "Yeah, there are loads of people that have built the trial and come up with it, they just want to see it done properly. Even in the past when we've had people not go through with it, we’ve sometimes brought the trials back because we want them to be seen."

Dean’s trial required him to answer Egypt-themed questions, with every correct answer lowering a star he had to retrieve using only his mouth within 30 seconds.

Despite answering two questions correctly and releasing two stars, Dean shouted the dreaded phrase, quitting as sand engulfed his legs.

The radio host, who admitted, "This is my worst nightmare because I can’t get out," baffled viewers, many of whom took to social media to express their disbelief. Many criticized him for giving up over the sand rather than the critters crawling on his face.

One viewer wrote on X: "Probably the easiest trial in I’m A Celeb history! Dean is definitely going to be up for every trial now!! A tad bit too dramatic! #ImACeleb."

Another added: "As if Dean said 'I’m a celebrity get me out of here' because of some sand!!! #ImACeleb," while another joked: "The fact Dean quit because of sand on his legs and not the bugs on his face #ImACeleb."

Despite the backlash, Dean’s dramatic exit has already secured him a spot in the next trial. At the end of Tuesday’s episode, Ant and Dec revealed the public voted for Dean and fellow campmate GK Barry to face Wednesday night’s challenge.