Hear me out: In defence of Dean, the I’m A Celeb campmate getting too much hate

Dean McCullough is the I’m A Celeb campmate who has caused the most furore from viewers this year, a truly controversial character – wild considering he was easily the least known of everyone going in. Dean has been up for every trial except one, and has nearly flopped all of them – as well as being involved in some selfish behaviours and an argument with Alan that got people spectacularly incensed online. But guys, I need to drop a hear me out moment here – Dean deserves some defence. And whilst I do not endorse a lot of his camp carry on, I do think in defence of Dean every reality TV show needs a villain – even I’m A Celeb.

Dean had the interesting position of going on I’m A Celeb as someone less familiar to audiences – so there was no preconception. Obviously, going oaths show can majorly boost a star’s profile – and I’m sure he was very excited at the prospect of being brought to the attention of a lot of people who perhaps don’t listen to Radio 1 much, or him in his Gaydio days. This gave Dean the opportunity to be a bit of a character – and whether he means it or if he’s faking it, his dramatics in the trials has guaranteed him a lot of airtime. Whether he’s doing this because he’s genuinely scared or because his trial hysterics mean viewers are keeping him doing them, it doesn’t really matter. Even if viewers are hating him, they’re choosing to see more of him. I personally think he’s naturally very funny and has a lot of confident banter, and is clearly well liked in camp for the most part.

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Obviously, where Dean has fucked it slightly is by his behaviour in camp. His selfish decision to not give up his bed for those older than him, his demand that Danny move beds (which Danny was applauded for refusing to do) and then his sleeping whilst Jane went to get the fire wood. It is the latter here that resulted in an angry confrontation, where Dean shouted quite angrily at Alan “Tyrone from Corrie” Halsall. This interaction, Dean was clearly in the wrong. I don’t disagree with his point that he had just woken up – but the anger with which he handled himself and came in on smoke towards Alan kind of took any reasoning he had out of the equation. It was too much.

And yet, in defence of Dean on I’m A Celeb, I do think the viewer vitriol towards him is a bit much. I saw someone on Twitter say it was “uncomfortable viewing” – which feels very drastic to me. Have these people ever watched any reality TV before? How do you guys cope when you watch genuinely uncomfortable behaviours showcased in programmes like Love Island, MAFS or Big Brother? Do you turn to dust?

Dean is bringing some friction to camp – which I personally believe is only a good thing. There is a reason this is the most enjoyable I’m A Celeb in a billion years: it isn’t boring. For too long, this show has been so nicey nicey and pulled out the same old trials and become a slog to watch. This year, we’re witnessing a great cast have interesting conversations and the people who make that happen are not always the ones we personally like. I love Jane Moore in the camp even though I can’t stand her on Loose Women and agree with literally nothing she says – but she makes for interesting television. The same goes for Dean.

In defence of Dean on I’m A Celeb, people are out here behaving like the man has acted abhorrently and needs removing from TV – when in reality, he just had a little squabble with Tyrone from Corrie and acted selfishly. Dean isn’t as famous as some of that cast and when he leaves the jungle he’s going to have to reckon with people writing about him on Twitter as though he’s the actual devil incarnate. Go easy on him. We all act a bit selfish and have squabbles we’d like to regret – we don’t all have to endure them being broadcast to millions of viewers.

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