Julia Morris has opened up about the cancellation of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and the phone call that ended her 12-year run on the popular reality show.
The 58-year-old presenter was told about Network 10’s decision just hours before the news was made public.
In an interview with TV WEEK, Morris said she did not hold a grudge over the last-minute decision.
“Television ends; there’s not a single show that doesn’t,” Julia said.
“But you battle with the inner thoughts of ‘I have to completely redesign my life,’ but, at this age, it’s going to be what it is and I need to get started on the next bit.
“I just feel sadness for our jungle family. I‘ve never had a job like this.”
She also quipped: “It’s also the fact that now I have to pay for my own airfare to Africa. I mean… if anyone is heading out there, we all left stuff behind!”
The show ran from 2015 to 2026 across 12 seasons, with Morris initially hosting alongside Dr Chris Brown, before Robert Irwin replaced him in 2023.
For Morris, I’m A Celebrity became far more than a television job.
“It’s funny when I’m with younger comics because they often talk about how I’ve been around for so long and [must be] rich,” she said.
“But I say, let me paint you a picture: I’m a woman, so… yeah. Then, take out maternity leave and everything else to do with it… I was just a working comic. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would be a 12-year gig. It let me pay out my divorce and go through huge life stages. Also, who would’ve thought that I would survive after a host leaves?”
Despite the show’s cancellation, Morris said she remained proud of the team behind it.
“Hand on heart, I’m thrilled to be representing the jungle because there are 500 hands on it, making sure it looks like it’s fun doing my job,” she said.
“We adapted so many different versions, trying to keep that show on the air. It’s an expensive show and it only worked because of the combination of people who supported and fought for it.”
The program has since been revived at Channel Seven, with the new hosts yet to be disclosed.
Morris said she encouraged Irwin to continue with I’m A Celebrity if the show moved to another network, but he refused, telling her he would not do the show without her.
“He’s a beautiful man and I love him so much,” she said of her former co-host. “Name anything on this planet and, if he doesn’t know how to do it, he’ll learn how to in the next 10 minutes.”
Morris said the show had also helped her through difficult periods in her personal life.
“It saved my life multiple times over. It was an escape: a place to feel like I wasn’t in trouble and my absolute maniacal excellence was welcome,” she said.
“I’m from Springfield in Gosford [NSW]” she said. “I’m just super grateful for what I’m A Celeb has given me and that I didn’t f*** it up along the way.”
Image: Instagram
