A new series of “I’m A Celebrity” began this week in TVs latest attempt to draw in as many viewers and as much money as possible before the campaign for the Christmas number one begins. Looking at the line-up for this year’s show, you would be forgiven for not having a clue who anyone is.

While researching this article I’ve discovered there are among others a Hollyoaks ‘actor’, a member of Mis-Teeq who isn’t Alesha Dixon, a dancer from Strictly Come Dancing and Actor George Hamilton, who must of thought he was signing up for panto.

All they’re missing out on is Barry Killerby, the actor who played Mr Blobby.

The makers of “I’m A Celebrity” face an unfortunate problem of sorts, which is that few real celebrities have any interest in the concept. Why should they bother going into the pretend jungle and laze about for two weeks with a group of people dreaming of fame when they could be getting on with work.

Oh, but there’s the challenges of sleeping in the wild and the bush tucker trials.

Quite frankly, if you want to sleep in the wild, go camping.

And if you want to be humiliated on TV, then yes, go for “I’m a celebrity”. Or, apply to one of the multitude of other reality shows where humiliation for not being perfect is also key to the programme.

But then you have the “celebs” that went on the show and found the fame and fortune they were looking for, let’s have a look at them.

From the nine seasons we’ve so far had of “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!” the success stories have been…

Series One: Tony Blackburn, Tara Palmer- Tomkinson and Nell McAndrew

One of the countries best loved DJs and two models/ TV personalities. Slightly raised profiles as a result of the show.

Series Two: Phil Tufnell, Anthony Worrall Thompson

Both of whom have since stayed in the public eye due to media commitments with their specialist careers (sport and cookery)

Series Three: Kerry Katona, Peter Andre, Katie Price

This series can always be argued as the one which stands out from the crowd, all three received lifeline’s to their celebrity careers thanks to the show, and are all now coveted members of celebrity chat in the country.

The list goes on and contestants such as Jason Donovan and Myleene Klass can argue that their careers were also re-invigorated by the show, but much in a similar way to the X- Factor, we’re talking about half a dozen contestants from 97 “celebs” who have entered the jungle.

Granted this doesn’t take into account those such as George Takei and Vic Reeves who went into the jungle and emerged with the same reputation as when they went in there.

So what can we learn from this? I would argue, as stated in the beginning of this article, that “I’m A Celeb” is plainly another attempt to make as much money as quickly as possible.

Also, if you’re a celebrity and thinking of taking part in a show such as this, you need to have a good idea as to how much money you can make out of it, and will the public love you when you leave the jungle? Because if not, you just become another individual dreaming of fame who isn’t willing to work for it.