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Nick Ferrari was at the top of the list for producers

Presenter Nick Ferrari dramatically pulled out of talks with ITV to join I’m a Celebrity after his radio chiefs vowed to match his lucrative jungle fee. The LBC star, who is also a favourite on This Morning, was wooed by show chiefs during what insiders say were “really productive conversations.”

But sources claim that after Ferrari mentioned the plans to his bosses at Global, they begged him to reconsider. A source said: “They pledged to match any fee he was set to receive as they consider him such a vital and well-loved part of the LBC schedule.”

The 66-year-old was first linked to the hit ITV show at the end of September, with increasing speculation he was due Down Under in recent weeks. An insider claimed at the time that producers were “determined to bag him” and “prepared to dig deep into their pockets for a lucrative fee.”

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Nick Ferrari is often a guest on This Morning (Image: ITV)

But a source said: “Ultimately, Global was able to flex its financial muscles and managed to keep their man. If he had signed up, he would have been off air for up to six weeks which they were keen not to happen. Nick is really well liked by those working on LBC and everyone thinks he has played a blinder by getting a payrise out of it.”

The source added: “Nick is known to have been a big fan of the show for years. Remember he was Carol Thatcher’s ‘celebrity friend’ when she won the series all those years ago and has been known to the production team since.” ITV were keen to secure his services but hadn’t tabled an official offer, it’s understood.

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And a source said: “Nick would have been great but alas it wasn’t to be.” It comes as Nick has also proved a hit with the channel’s daytime audiences with regular This Morning appearances.

This year, a whole host of famous faces are flying out to Australia this weekend to take part. These include Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, former model Kelly Brook, and ex-EastEnders star Shona McGarty.

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Lisa herself recently dropped a huge hint she would be jetting Down Under, saying: “I’m A Celebrity…is something I would do before I turned 50 as a test for myself.”

Elsewhere, YouTuber Morgan Burtwistle, better known as Angryginge, musician Martin Kemp, comedian Ruby Wax, TV presenter Alex Scott and Jack Osbourne. The 25th series, hosted again by Ant and Dec, is set to start a week on Sunday.

The Mirror has exclusively revealed that Spandau Ballet star Martin was “advanced talks” to join the hit ITV show, following in the footsteps of his son Roman, who entered the jungle back in 2019.

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Our insider said: “Martin is a household name having been top of the hit parade with Spandau Ballet in the 80s and then in EastEnders in the early 2000s – he’s a great signing and everyone is very excited at the prospect of getting him Down Under.”

Roman will no doubt be thrilled seeing his dad in the jungle. “Listen, I would do anything to see my dad eat llama anus,” Roman told the Mirror in 2022.