TV

I’m A Celebrity: Man arrested near jungle camp on suspicion of murder

It follows the discovery of a body in a sleeping bag

| Updated:

The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! camp was reportedly on lockdown following the discovery of a body nearby.

According to reports, Australian police apprehended and arrested a man after a body was found in the area of New South Wales where ITV films the hit show.

On November 22, a 56-year-old homeless man was found dead by dog walkers in Tweed Heads, which is around an hour from the celeb camp.

Tweed Heads Harbour - Google Maps
The body was found at Jack Evans Boat Harbour Park (Credit: Google Maps)

As reported by the Mirror, the I’m A Celebrity camp went into lockdown as cops launched a manhunt and searched the area.

Officers later managed to arrest suspect Kevin James Pettiford, 34, who was on a bus en route to Sydney, and charge him with murder.

Pettiford is also a suspect in the death of a 53-year-old homeless man named David Collin, who was found killed in Maroochydore, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Kevin Pettiford
Pettiford is also a suspect in the death of David Collin (pictured), aged 53 (Credit: 7NEWS Gold Coast)

The other victim – known to locals as Andy Murray, according to 7NEWS Gold Coast – is believed to have been sleeping rough when he was killed.

The man was found dead in his sleeping bag at Jack Evans Boat Harbour Park in Tweed Heads.

Following the discovery of his body, I’m A Celebrity bosses were reportedly alerted.

Our security measures are incredibly tight.

Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed the celebs were being watched “24 hours a day” and there was “zero chance” of anyone “sneaking into camp”, but admitted the idea of a wanted man running loose in the area was “unsettling”.

They told the publication: “The celebs are being watched 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a team of staff and our security measures are incredibly tight. So there is zero chance of anyone sneaking into camp.”

I'm A Celebrity campmates
Producers weren’t worried for the celebs’ safety (Credit: ITV)

Read more: I’m A Celebrity’s Dec gags as Caitlyn and Roman are pelted with fish guts in tonight’s trial

“But of course it is very unsettling to know that there is someone out there, running from the police, who has committed such a horrible crime.”

ED! contacted ITV for comment.

I’m A Celebrity is currently in its third and final week. Eight celebs remain in the camp, following former rugby player James Haskell’s exit on Tuesday (03.12.19).

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor