Executive Producer departs I’m a Celebrity before production wraps
Exclusive: ITV Australia asks renowned producer to return to Australia in the show's biggest surprise eviction.
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EXCLUSIVE: Renowned producer Peter Abbott has departed TEN’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in South Africa at the request of production company ITV Australia.
Abbott, who boasts extensive television production credits including Big Brother (for which he was the original ‘voice’), Dancing with the Stars and Top Gear Australia, was hired by ITV Australia in a major coup, along with co-executive producer Lara Hopkins.
Earlier this week ITV Australia asked him to leave the show, two weeks short of its finale, in mysterious circumstances.
TV Tonight understands those reasons were not related to the quality of work nor any workplace relations. Insiders say there were no significant disputes in the lead-up to his exit, but noted “too many cooks” behind the scenes.
It also isn’t clear if ITV, which has a long history of producing the UK production, decided to steer the show internally.
Anita Jacoby, managing director of ITV Studios Australia, told TV Tonight, “Peter (Abbott) was instrumental in setting up the framework for the series, for casting, liaising with celebrities and for shaping post-production. As we are heading toward the end of production, his role on the show has been completed. Peter has done a great job as one of the key architects of the first Australian season of the show.”
The show is currently being produced by Ben Ulm, ITV Australia Director of Content and Executive Producer Lara Hopkins. Former Nine executive producer Karen Dewey, who recently joined the production in South Africa is also back in Australia, in unrelated circumstances.
One source told TV Tonight, “Why would you do that to Peter Abbott? Why would you make him walk the plank?”
Network TEN execs are also understood to be very disappointed in the turn of events of its flagship show. The multi-million dollar production has enjoyed plenty of publicity with a strong response for hosts Julia Morris and Chris Brown. It has lifted TEN’s timeslot share year on year, but drawn upon simulcast audiences in a bid to remain competitive against My Kitchen Rules and The Block.
Next week multiple evictions are looming ahead of its finale on Sunday March 15th.
But the biggest eviction of all was one nobody saw coming.
Peter Abbott declined to comment.
46 Responses
IACGMOOH is the best show this year so far! Peter Abbott is a genius. He was a genius with Australia’s Big Brother being successful on Ten and now this. If he’s gone back to Australia due to any air of discontent, then it will be ITV and TEN’s ultimate loss. I’m hoping he’s planning a surprise after show ‘show’ and is preparing the next big thing on Ten. The show’s presenters, casting, lay-back live cheeky uncensored, unexpected formula and diverse fun with real belly-laugh episodes have been a stroke of fresh air genius for Australian television that has managed to also strike at the heart of current online culture and manage to draw the younger generation away from other activities back to the family watching television. This is what real television is all about, a though-provoking reflection of us that is immediate, honest and without spin. Last year I said Ten needed to pick…
Please let this show be over already.
And as for the Julia/Chris faux cheer squad: they are hopeless together. Tweedle dee and tweedle dum. He always looking awkward (not as in playing awkward) but genuinely totes awks. And she’s just too much, especially with the constant interruptions. Please….. No more pain!