'I'm A Celebrity' viewers question Beverley Callard's vegan claim as she tucks into biscuit

I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! viewers called into question Beverley Callard’s claims she is vegan as she tucked into a Jammie Dodger.

The traditional jam-filled biscuit changed its recipe to become 100% plant-based in July this year.

But some viewers believed the former Coronation Street star was pretending to be vegan to avoid being subjected to eating offal as part of the ITV reality show’s notorious eating trials.

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The celebrities were treated to Jammie Dodgers after opera star Russell Watson and TV presenter Vernon Kay successfully completed their Castle Coin challenge and returned to camp victorious.

Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw was among many viewers to call into question Callard’s vegan diet as she was shown devouring the biscuit.

He tweeted: “Are Jammy Dodger Vegan though Bev??? #ImACeleb.”

Grimshaw was not the only one questioning whether Jammie Dodgers were suitable for a vegan diet

Louise tweeted: “Thought Beverly was a vegan ?.... she should not be eating that jammy dodger! So she can do the eating tasks properly!!!!!”

But Burtons Biscuits, which makes Jammie Dodgers, announced in July this year that it was changing its recipe to make it suitable for vegans.

Jamie tweeted: “Did anyone else just google to check and see if Jammy Dodgers are vegan?”

Callard took part in an eating trial with radio DJ Jordan North and TV presenter Vernon Kay last week that saw them eat deer testicles, sheep penis and goats’ eyes.

The 63-year-old actor – best known for playing Rovers Return barmaid Liz McDonald – was given cheese fruit, fermented plums and fermented tofu to eat.

After struggling to swallow the tofu, she confessed: “I’ve only been vegan since March...”

Earlier in Sunday night’s show Callard was horrified to see a wild rat running around the camp.

The ITV reality show – which, due to the coronavirus pandemic, is being filmed at Gwrych Castle in north Wales – is known for locking celebrities in confined spaces filled with rats.

But soap actors Callard and Jessica Plummer were horrified to spot a rat running around their sleeping quarters.

Callard shrieked: “Oh my god, oh my god, that was a rat!”

Ex-EastEnder Plummer, 28, exclaimed: “That was a really big rat, it’s under my bed. Guys, the biggest rat just went under my bed. It’s huge!”

And there were more rats in store for Plummer.

The latest trial, Bar-Baric ,saw the female celebrities – who lost Friday night’s live trial – chained to a bar and showered with fish guts, offal and slime while they worked to free themselves and remove stars from boxes containing spiders, snakes and rats in order to win meals for the camp.

The celebrities chose in which order they would be chained to the bar, knowing that whoever was last would spend the longest time in trapped in the chamber.

Broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire, 52, volunteered to go last, while author Giovanna Fletcher quickly offered to go first, meaning she would spend the shortest amount of time in the chamber.

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Henshall, Callard and Plummer all quickly jumped in, meaning Paralympic javelin thrower Hollie Arnold, 26, was fifth.

Once they were chained to the bar, the celebrities were drenched in offal and fish guts.

Fletcher released herself and two stars from a box containing a live tarantula; Henshall, 53, faced a box of earthworms; Callard removed her stars from a box containing toads; and Plummer braved a box of rats.

Arnold also secured two stars from a box of live snakes, while Derbyshire endured the longest amount of time being drenched with offal and fish guts.

When hosts Ant and Dec pointed out Fletcher had had a lucky escape going first she confessed: “I feel so guilty! I wish I could go back in.”

This year contestants also include Olympic athlete Sir Mo Farah, 37, actor Shane Richie, 56, and Strictly dancer AJ Pritchard.

Plummer and Pritchard have been voted by the public to face the next trial.

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