Shane Warne and other I’m A Celebrity Australia stars allowed to smoke

CHANNEL Ten has admitted they are allowing their I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! stars to smoke off the set in the South African jungle.

CHANNEL Ten has admitted they are reluctantly allowing their I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! stars to smoke off the set in the South African jungle.

After Shane Warne declared he would go “cold turkey” before entering camp, News Corp Australia can exclusively reveal some stars have been allowed special dispensation to smoke cigarettes in a designated area off camera.

“We will not comment on individuals. But, yes, some people are smoking, as they do in the UK version of the show,” a Network Ten spokeswoman told News Corp Australia.

“We are encouraging them to quit and assisting them in any way we can, but it is an individual’s decision. Smoking is an addiction.

“Although celebrities were encouraged to and tried to quit before heading into the jungle, some have struggled more than others. We have a fulltime psychologist to help with quitting and we offer nicotine patches to help with cravings.”

It is understood to be the only special dispensation allowed celebrities on I’m A Celebrity.

According to sources, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff did the same in last year’s first series of the reality show which saw him crowned king of the jungle.

It is understood one of the reasons Ten hasn’t shown smoking or anyone withdrawing from their habit is because of the family audience of the show.

Along with Warne, Brendan Fevola is also a smoker, as is Anthony Callea.

Speculation as to whether or not Warne was allowed to smoke in secret mounted as he’s been

markedly happy and doesn’t appear to be showing signs of withdrawal as would be expected.

Before entering the jungle, Warne sat down exclusively with News Corp Australia, revealing he smokes 40 to 50 cigarettes a day and wasn’t sure how he’d go giving up.

“As well as no food, no sleep and no smokes, I could be grumpy. I’m going to give myself a muzzle,” the father of three said.

“Ciggies will be very tough. To give up there’s going to be a lot of phlegm and a lot of stuff coming up so hopefully there’s a spit bucket or something like that. That’s going to be really hard for me because I am a heavy smoker.”

Warne, 46, signing to the series was a major coup for casting with much speculation about how much he is being paid to take part in the show.

Some have claimed Warne is earning more than $2 million.

“I wish, that’s all I can say,” the cricket legend said when asked if that figure was correct.

“I thought I’d be getting a lot more than I’m getting but anyway, that’s that.”

And despite these new revelations, at the time Warne dismissed any suggestions of special clauses in his contract.

“I think the majority of the Australian public respect me and like me,” he said. “There’s always that minority that you can’t please everyone and they think you’re a wanker for whatever reason but that’s cool, it is their choice to think that.”

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* The journalist is in South Africa as a guest of Channel Ten covering I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!