He has found himself at the centre of a ‘bullying’ storm on I’m A Celebrity this series, with fans claiming comedian Iain Lee is being targeted by his campmates.
And appearing to make a sly dig at the comedian on his exit from the ITV show, Dennis Wise told hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly that he thinks campmate Iain ‘needs the airtime’ while in the jungle.
The former footballer, 50, had been discussing his issue with Iain putting himself forward for the Bushtucker Trials and after being seen encouraging his co-star to take part, Dennis insisted his change of heart had been due to realising Iain’s ambitions post his jungle journey.
All over: Dennis Wise told hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly that he thinks campmate Iain ‘needs the airtime’ while in the jungle as he became the sixth celebrity to leave the show
Dennis had previously been seen clashing with Iain when it came to the critter-fuelled challenges, as he was concerned the presenter wouldn’t be able to provide the camp with food.
Bringing up Iain’s past two failures when it comes to the show’s challenging trials, Dennis suggested that the camp should back someone how is a ‘stronger fit’ as Iain has previously said ‘I’m A Celebrity get me out of here,’ mid-trial – meaning the camp receives no stars and therefore no food.
However, during Thursday night’s episode of the show, where he became the sixth celebrity to leave the jungle, Dennis explained that he had a change of heart towards Iain competing, as he had realised his campmates ‘need for airtime’.
Having his say: The former footballer, 50, had been discussing his issue with Iain putting himself forward for the Bushtucker Trials and insisted his change of heart had been due to realising Iain’s ambitions post his jungle journey
Under fire: Amir Khan was called out for taunting Iain on Thursday night’s episode and viewers branded him a ‘hypocrite’ for targeting Iain for his past trial failures
The sports star explained he and Amir Khan are both planning on returning to their same careers following their stint on the reality show, but others are seeking new TV ventures and hope to pursue other ventures.
Suggesting Iain needed to ‘promote’ himself during his time in camp, Dennis claimed: ‘There’s people in there that want to promote themselves and go on to do TV and other things.’
Dennis said he had ‘listened’ to Iain’s letter that he had received from his family and saw his campmate’s plight in the jungle in a different light, leading him to think instead: ‘Go and do that trial because you need the air time.’
Awkward: Suggesting Iain needed to ‘promote’ himself during his time in camp, Dennis claimed: ‘There’s people in there that want to promote themselves and go on to do TV and other things’
Called out: His comments came after Dennis had found himself being accused of ‘bullying’ Iain, after previously shooting Iain down for offering to take on a Bushtucker Trial
His comments came after Dennis had found himself being accused of ‘bullying’ Iain, after previously shooting Iain down for offering to take on a Bushtucker Trial.
In the heated exchange, Iain had branded Dennis’ comments ‘unfair’ and claimed the football manager was ruling him out for all future trials. Dennis, however, argued that wasn’t the case and was entitled to share his opinion, with the camp’s best interests at heart.
Although, his comments sparked a backlash among fans as they claimed he had been ‘belittling’ Iain. Similar claims surfaced once more, after Dennis was seen warning Iain not to return to camp with no stars, after he was selected to take on the camp’s latest trial Deadly Departure Lounge with Jenni McAlpine.
Tense: In the heated exchange, Iain had branded Dennis’ comments ‘unfair’ and claimed the football manager was ruling him out for all future trials. Dennis, however, argued that wasn’t the case and was entitled to share his opinion, with the camp’s best interests at heart
Rushed: Due to time constraints, Dennis only touched upon Iain during his exit interview
Outta here! He was rushed across the red carpet bridge, after waving goodbye to camp
Reunion! Dennis seemed thrilled to be reunited with his wife Claire Wise
Beaming: Dennis wrapped his arms around his wife as they were finally reunited again
Dennis was seen telling Iain on numerous occasions not to forfeit the trial, with Iain admitting in private: ‘I’m feeling a bit of pressure on me, Dennis has warned me not to say, “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here,” and that’s not my intention at all.’
Amir had joined in too, prompting Jenni to tell Iain to ‘ignore’ their comments. She said: ‘Don’t listen to that,’ before joking she might say the dreaded words instead.
Coming under fire himself, Amir was then branded a ‘hypocrite’ by I’m A Celebrity viewers after taunting Iain over his trial failures, as he joined in with Dennis.
He had also accused Iain of ‘playing a game’ by picking and choosing when he wanted to take part in a trial, as he told Jamie Lomas and Dennis: ‘He’s one day saying he wants to go home and wants to leave, he misses his family… then he wants to stay.
Sticking to his word: Speaking of Iain in his post-jungle interview, Dennis insisted he had simply wanted the ‘strongest’ campmate to go out and do the trials
Harsh: Dennis was seen telling Iain on numerous occasions not to forfeit the trial, with Iain admitting in private: ‘I’m feeling a bit of pressure on me’
‘He wants to be the nice guy. My personality is the same all the way through. I don’t like how people change like a yo yo.’
Fans were quick to call out Amir on his comments, pointing out that, like Iain, he too had forfeited a trial early into the series, as they penned: ‘Iain feel so bad for him Amir is a hypocrite #imaceleb.
‘Is Amir having a giggle telling Iain not to say “I’m a celeb”?!
‘AMIR IS SUCH A HYPOCRITE I CANT???’
‘Is Amir having a giggle?’Fans were quick to call out Amir on his comments, pointing out that, like Iain, he too had forfeited a trial early into the series
Others, again, vented their frustration at Amir, Dennis and Jamie’s behaviour towards Iain: ‘It’s actually disgusting watching Amir, Jamie and Dennis ganging up on Iain. Sure, he can be a pain but those three are a pack of bullies.
‘It’s actually cute how obsessed Amir, Dennis and Jamie are with Iain…
‘I love Iain and hope he wins IACGMOOH. And I hope Dennis, Jamie and Amir get called on their behaviour by someone #ImACelebrity.’
However, it seems the ‘bullying’ accusations have some viewers divided, as others have taken a stance against Iain, jumping to the defence of Amir, Dennis and Jamie instead.
They said: ‘Its an edited show, for tv for goodness sake! The word bully is used far too easily. If Iain was that unhappy he would walk, money or no money #ImACeleb.
‘Don’t like iain. There I’ve said it. It’s not compulsory. #imacelebrity
‘Dennis Wise was edited to the wolves, poor choice. Dennis outshone Iainin spades, factomondo.
‘Can we please see the back of Iain now? I don’t understand who’s voting for him #ImACelebrity.
MailOnline have contacted representatives for Amir, Dennis and Jamie.
Iain, meanwhile, was seen hitting back at his jungle rivals. Amir was seen telling the star that he had ‘f**ked things up’ on his late arrival into the jungle and ‘split the group up’ – also commenting on Iain’s attitude, insisting that he had ‘killed’ the group with his demanding orders as Prime Minister of camp.
Unfair? Amir had joined in too with Dennis and had accused Iain of ‘playing a game’ by picking and choosing when he wanted to take part in a trial
Growing irked by Amir’s constant teasing, Iain hit back: ‘Amir was being an a**hole, just prodding me and making all these jokes, it wasn’t funny, it made me feel uncomfortable.’
He told the sports star that he ‘wasn’t’ finding his taunts very funny, prompting Jamie to remark: ‘If you can’t take Amir’s banter after three weeks… jog on.’
After feeling the pressure from his campmates to succeed in the latest trial, Iain admitted that his championing efforts had been very ‘satisfying’ as he won all six stars with Jenni
Unable to resist hitting out at his rivals Dennis, Amir and Jamie while reflecting on his trial, he said: ‘It was very satisfying to come back into camp and say we’d been successful that we got all six stars, it’s all about teamwork and getting food for camp.
‘Hopefully everyone will put their d**ks away now and stop measuring them but that ain’t gonna happen.’
Frustrated: Iain was later seen hitting back at his jungle rivals following his trial success