Channel 10 confuses viewers as I’m A Celebrity’s abrupt finale ending explained

A photo of the I’m A Celebrity host arriving back in Australia before the finale aired has exposed why the ending was deemed underwhelming among viewers.

Viewers tuning into the I’m A Celebrity finale Sunday were left baffled by the unusually abrupt ending, and now, we have an explanation.

Sam Thaiday beat out Reggie Bird and Matty Johnson to be crowned king of the jungle on the long-running Ten series, before the show went to the credits without the typical celebratory formalities.

While many thought they were watching a live broadcast as in previous years, especially considering a sign behind the presenters on-set that read ‘live from camp!’ was in clear view during numerous segments, the stars of the show had already flown home when the scenes aired, with Thaiday, Johnson and host Julia Morris spotted at Sydney airport hours before the finale premiered.

I’m A Celeb host Julia Morris arrived in Sydney from South Africa on Sunday, hours before the finale aired. Picture: KHAP/BACKGRID

A report that the finale wouldn’t be airing live first emerged ahead of the episode last week.

Ten executives have long leaned into the appeal of I’m A Celebrity being one of the only live formats remaining on Aussie TV, with TV Tonight reporting the decision had been made by bosses was to cut costs this season.

But ads promoting the final episode still featured the ‘Live from Africa’ tag, adding to viewer confusion.

Channel 10 advertised the finale as being "live from Africa" despite the show having been filmed earlier in the week. Picture: Ten

It turns out, producers filmed three endings each time with a different contestant winning, and then when voting ended during the broadcast the star that won the most votes had their version aired to appear live.

The main giveaway to viewers was that confetti was spotted scattered all over the ground during Thaiday’s win, suggesting his victory wasn’t the first to have been filmed.

The voting process was, however, still a live element, with viewers able to vote for the three finalists until 7.45pm AEDT Sunday.

Viewers labelled the finale, which aired on Sunday, "anti-climatic" when the winner was announced and barely given time to revel in his win. Picture: Ten

Some fans also took to social media to complain that the network had been advertising the episode as “live from Africa” on social media ahead of the broadcast.

“They probably should’ve taken off the “Live from Africa” part, given it actually won’t actually be live,” tweeted a fan. “The cast & crew well on their way home Saturday before the finale airs local time on Sunday.”

Another confused viewer tweeted: “Where’s the live thing at bottom left?”

As the finale aired, some fans took to X to suggest the broadcast appeared “abrupt” and “anticlimactic”.

Channel 10 declined to comment.

Thaiday, two-time Big Brother winner Reggie Bird, and former Bachelor star Matty J were the three celebs left in a season that sent some big names, among them Dave Hughes and Sigrid Thornton, packing surprisingly early during the season.