Ade Adepitan becomes first wheelchair user to join I'm A Celebrity 2026 camp

The upcoming series of the popular ITV reality show I'm A Celebrity will feature a historic first as Ade Adepitan prepares to enter the Australian jungle. As the programme returns to screens on November 16, viewers will see the presenter and former Paralympian become the first wheelchair user to participate in the competition. The production team has confirmed that Ade Adepitan will be joined by other famous faces, including Wayne Rooney, Joanna Page, AJ Odud, and Ricky Wilson, as they swap luxury for the basics of the outback.

Preparing for Ade Adepitan on I'm A Celebrity

Producers invited the TV star to the site months ago to conduct a detailed assessment of the terrain. During this visit, they worked alongside safety experts and construction managers to determine necessary adjustments. The result is a specially modified camp environment that includes widened paths, strengthened handrails, and designated wheelchair parking spaces. To ensure he can move comfortably between different levels, the team has also installed features such as crutch holders and a stairlift for the jungle shower area.

Ade Adepitan is set to become the first wheelchair user to compete on I'm A Celebrity in 2026.

Beyond the living quarters, the production has adapted the majority of the show's approximately 23 Bushtucker Trials. Rather than exempting him from challenges, the team has incorporated additional handles and equipment to allow him to participate fully. Executive producers have indicated that should he reach the final four, he will be able to take part in the iconic Celebrity Cyclone. The production team maintains that these changes are subtle adaptations intended to ensure he can succeed, rather than a fundamental alteration to the show's format.

Ade, who uses both a wheelchair and crutches, will have access to multiple mobility aids, including an electric wheelchair designed for difficult terrain. Producers emphasized that his inclusion is based on his personality rather than a token gesture, noting that he was selected for his suitability for the show's lineup. For his part, the former wheelchair basketball player has expressed that participating is a significant moment in his life, stating that he feels both overwhelmed and privileged to take on the challenge.

Why it matters

The inclusion of a wheelchair user in a physically demanding reality show marks a significant shift in production standards for major television events. By adapting the environment to accommodate diverse mobility needs, the show demonstrates that high-stakes challenges can be made accessible without compromising the core experience for the audience.