British YouTubers Declare War on ITV Over 'Angry Ginge' 'I'm a Celebrity' Snub
A storm is brewing in the UK influencer scene as ITV's exclusive 'I'm a Celebrity' deal with YouTuber Angry Ginge has left many creators feeling snubbed and ready to revolt.
The world of British reality TV is in absolute chaos as a full-blown influencer uprising is brewing against television giant ITV. The cause of the outrage? A reported exclusive deal with YouTuber "Angry Ginge" for a coveted spot on the hit show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, a move that has left a trail of scorned and furious social media stars in its wake.
Sources close to the situation say that the deal has been seen as a massive slap in the face to the wider UK influencer community, many of whom have been in talks with ITV for years about a potential appearance on the show. The feeling is that ITV has "sidelined diverse creators" in favor of the latest viral sensation, and the backlash is threatening to reshape the relationship between reality TV and the social media world.
"It's a total betrayal," one prominent TikToker, who wished to remain anonymous, fumed. "We've been grinding for years, building our audiences, and creating original content. And for what? To be passed over for a guy who kicks a football around on the internet? It's a joke."
The "guy" in question is Morgan Burtwistle, better known as Angry Ginge, a 21-year-old FIFA streamer and YouTuber who has amassed a massive following of over 3 million fans across his platforms. His high-energy content and "bags of personality" reportedly caught the eye of ITV bosses at this year's Soccer Aid, and a deal was quickly struck to get him into the jungle.
But what ITV saw as a savvy move to attract a younger audience, the influencer community saw as a declaration of war. "People are fuming," an industry insider revealed. "They feel like ITV is just chasing clout, and they're not interested in working with creators who have put in the time and effort to build a real career."
The controversy has ignited a fierce debate about the role of influencers in mainstream media. Are they just a disposable commodity to be used for a quick ratings boost? Or are they a legitimate new form of celebrity that deserves to be treated with respect?
"This is a watershed moment," a well-known YouTuber declared in a recent video. "For years, we've been told that we're the future of entertainment. But when it comes time to actually give us a seat at the table, we're still being treated like second-class citizens."
The backlash against ITV is growing by the day, with more and more influencers speaking out against the "unfair" and "short-sighted" casting decision. The hashtag #ITVsnub is trending on Twitter, and there are even calls for a boycott of I'm a Celebrity if the deal with Angry Ginge goes through.
ITV has yet to comment on the controversy, but the pressure is mounting. Will they stick to their guns and risk alienating the entire UK influencer community? Or will they cave to the pressure and give the people what they want: a more diverse and representative cast of social media stars?
One thing is for sure: the jungle has never been this dramatic. And with the new season of I'm a Celebrity just around the corner, the whole world will be watching to see how this influencer uprising plays out.
What do you think? Is ITV right to go with the hot new thing? Or should they be giving more opportunities to established creators? Let us know in the comments!
Related Topics: Crazy XYZ • Dynamo • Ankit Baiyanpuria • BeerBiceps (Ranveer Allahbadia)