I’m so excited! George Calombaris is joining ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ this Sunday, and I just know he’s going to shake things up in the jungle. It’s going to be amazing to watch!
Sources at Daily Mail Australia say that cast members immediately questioned the formerly popular chef and restaurant owner about his problematic history.
George Calombaris faced significant public backlash after being charged with assault in 2017, and again in 2019 when it was revealed his restaurants had underpaid staff by $7.8 million.
‘George doesn’t just walk in and make small talk,’ a production source said.
The moment he arrives, everyone starts sharing their thoughts. Some people are thrilled, others are cautious, and a few have been hoping for an opportunity to ask the questions that no one else wants to voice.
According to the source, Calombaris, 47, ‘knew exactly’ what he was signing up for.
The source adds that the mysterious intruder won’t just make a brief appearance. They’ll face intense questioning, as viewers demand to know who they are and what they want. Some believe the pressure will be too much for them to handle.
‘But then there are others [in the cast] who respect him for showing up and facing it.’
According to a source, George Calombaris joining the show signals a new direction for the series, with a greater emphasis on the drama and relationships between contestants.
Fans can also expect cliffhangers and stronger storytelling.
During Wednesday’s episode of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, chef George Calombaris appeared in a preview saying he was ready to share honest details about his life.
‘There’s been adverse publicity in my world,’ he says in the preview.
I’ve been holding onto this for so long, but everyone needs to know the real me. Honestly, my life is a constant fight – I throw myself into everything, always going all out, never backing down. It’s just how I live!
In 2017, a video surfaced that shocked viewers of MasterChef. It showed the TV personality physically assaulting a 19-year-old man at the A-League Grand Final.
Calombaris was convicted of assault and fined $1,000.
On appeal, his conviction was overturned and he was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond.
In 2019, the TV star—who had recently left MasterChef after ten years—faced further difficulties when a scandal emerged revealing he hadn’t paid his employees $7.8 million in wages.
A year later, his company, MAdE, went bankrupt after the Fair Work Ombudsman required them to pay millions of dollars in back pay to employees for incorrectly applied penalty rates.
Let’s talk about taking responsibility. This individual faced a hefty $200,000 fine related to wage issues, but he always maintained it was an honest error – a result of simply not knowing better at the time. As someone who advises on building a strong personal and professional reputation, I always say owning up to mistakes, even unintentional ones, is key. It’s about learning from them and demonstrating integrity, even when it’s costly.
As someone who’s seen a lot of businesses thrive and unfortunately, sometimes fail, let me tell you, even a single issue can be devastating. We recently discovered a payment error – thankfully, we brought it to light ourselves – but the resulting publicity was just too much. It created a domino effect, and sadly, I wasn’t able to keep all 21 of my businesses afloat. On top of everything, I estimate the loss of endorsement deals to be around $3 million. It’s a tough lesson in how quickly things can change.
Last year, Calombaris shared that he struggled with alcohol after reaching a low point following a series of scandals.
The chef shared on the Ouzo Talk podcast that after the pandemic began, they unexpectedly found themselves stuck in Melbourne during its extended lockdowns. With nothing to do and no work coming in, they started drinking every day, often while still in their pajamas.
About three months later, I had a breakdown one night. I drove off without knowing where I was going. My brother eventually found me, and I was very drunk.
‘And that was a moment, he really slapped it out of me and went enough is enough.’
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2026-01-23 14:38