Ade Adepitan to be I'm A Celebrity's first wheelchair user

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 18:01 · Archive

Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan, 53, will become the first wheelchair user to appear on I'm A Celebrity.

Ade Adepitan, a 53-year-old Paralympian and TV presenter, will become the first wheelchair user to appear on I'm A Celebrity when the show returns on Monday. He will join ten other celebrities in the Australian jungle for the 2026 series.

ITV producers spent nine months transforming the camp to ensure it was fully accessible for Adepitan. He was flown to Australia in February to work with the production team and advise on how they could adapt the site to meet his needs. The modifications include installing a stairlift to access the famous jungle shower, widening pathways and making them deeper, lowering water coolers, changing the angles of steps to accommodate his crutches, and creating dedicated wheelchair bays where he can transfer between his mobility aids.

New rest areas have been installed along the path from the camp to the creek. Instead of the traditional treehouse, producers have introduced a swing area that is accessible for Adepitan. All paths have been widened to accommodate his movement.

Adepitan will have access to three wheelchairs and three sets of crutches positioned throughout the camp, with two additional wheelchairs on standby—one at the trial area and an electric wheelchair for more difficult terrain such as beaches.

Adepitan responded to his selection with emotion. He said: 'Words like honour and privilege are ones I feel, but I don't think they sum it up enough. For me, this is a moment in time. Even if I go out in the first week, I will always be remembered as the person in a wheelchair. I am slightly overwhelmed.'

Adepitan's participation has generated significant online backlash. Some social media users have accused him of 'cheating' due to the camp being adapted for him, while others have questioned whether a disabled person should appear on a primetime show, characterising his inclusion as 'box-ticking'. However, the inclusion has been supported by disability equality advocates. Joe Marley, Director of Marketing and Communications at disability equality charity Scope, told The Mirror: 'Having a disabled person in the line-up of such a popular, primetime show is a brilliant moment for disability representation. We hope his time in camp gets millions of viewers talking about disability in a positive way.'

Adepitan, who contracted polio as an infant and has used a wheelchair for most of his life, is an accomplished wheelchair basketball player who has since moved into television presenting, covering sport, the natural world and the climate crisis. His recent appearance on Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters brought him to the attention of I'm A Celebrity's producers.

How it is being reported

• I’m A Celebrity’s Ade Adepitan defended after ableist backlash: ‘If it bothers you, don’t watch’Ade is the first wheelchair user in the show's history.Metro · 14 Nov, 16:59
• I'm A Celebrity's changes for Ade Adepitan are shining an important light on disabilityWhen I'm A Celebrity returns to our screens on Monday, Ade Adepitan will become the first celebrity in a wheelchair to enter the jungle, with his inclusion shining an important light on disability representationThe Mirror · 14 Nov, 08:48
• ‘You can’t train to be chucked in a box full of rats!’ Ade Adepitan on fear, facing down sharks and being I’m a Celeb’s first wheelchair userHis upcoming appearance on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! is already causing a huge stir. As he heads to Australia, the paralympian talks leeches, evil taxis – and snakes round his nether regions ‘If you spend enough time in the TV industry, at some point you’re going to end up in the jungle, eating animal genitalia, with Ant and Dec watching you!” Paralympic medallist and TV presenter Ade Adepitan is in the building, and he’s ready to cause a stir. The 53-year-old is set to become the first wheelchair user on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!. His participation has already ignited…The Guardian · 13 Nov, 13:00
• I’m A Celebrity camp makes changes for wheelchair-user Ade AdepitanThe TV presenter was flown out to Australia earlier this year to work with the production team to identify areas that would need to be adapted.Evening Standard · 13 Nov, 08:48
• I'm A Celeb producers spent nine months adapting jungle camp for Paralympian Ade Adepitan's 'bespoke' needs as he prepares to make history as show's first wheelchair userProductive conversations with the disabled TV presenter, 53, about joining the 2026 series started last year. Adepitan was later flown to Australia with producers back in February.Daily Mail · 12 Nov, 21:21

In this story: Ade Adepitan · ITV · I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! · Scope · Australia · Lagos

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