ITV 'plots I'm A Celeb budget cuts'

The new series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! is facing credit crunch cutbacks, a report claims.

According to the Daily Star, the current financial crisis means that producers do not have enough funds to sign up big-name stars, in contrast to last year when Star Trek's George Takei was said to be on a £200,000 contract.

Bosses are also reportedly planning to scrap expensive bushtucker trials and helicopter stunts which were seen in previous years.

Additionally, it is thought that the contestants will no longer fly out to Australia in first-class seats.

ITV's director of television Peter Fincham commented: "I'm A Celebrity... will be as rich as ever but there is pressure on our budgets."

The jungle show is expected to return to screens next month.