The 2026 season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! may sell itself as an equal playing field where celebrities battle hunger, fear and exhaustion for charity.
But behind the scenes, Daily Mail can reveal the celebrity pay packets have never been more unequal.
While a handful of cast members are quietly pocketing six-figure pay cheques, others are earning so little insiders admit they are ‘almost doing it for exposure’.
A senior production source says the pay gap is deliberate and ruthless.
‘There’s no such thing as equal pay on this show,’ the insider said.
‘You’re not paid for suffering. You’re paid for perceived value.’
The 2026 season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! may sell itself as an equal playing field where celebrities battle hunger, fear and exhaustion for charity, but behind the scenes, Daily Mail can reveal the celebrity pay packets have never been more unequal
While a handful of cast members are quietly pocketing six-figure pay cheques, others are earning so little insiders admit they are ‘almost doing it for exposure’ (Hosts Julia Morris and Robert Irwin pictured)
According to multiple production sources, the 2026 season has the starkest differences between the top earners and the rest of the camp.
‘Budgets are tighter than people realise,’ one insider said.
‘So if you’re not considered essential, you’re offered a take-it-or-leave-it deal.’
Here’s how the pay scale is understood to break down:
Barry Williams – $150,000 to $180,000
The former Brady Bunch star is believed to be the highest-paid contestant, thanks to his international recognition and legacy appeal.
‘He brings a type of credibility you can’t manufacture,’ a source told Daily Mail.
‘That kind of name still opens doors with advertisers and overseas press.’
The former Brady Bunch star is believed to be the highest-paid contestant, thanks to his international recognition and legacy appeal
Rachel Hunter is believed to be second highest paid earning $140,000 to $170,000
Rachel Hunter – $140,000 to $170,000
The supermodel’s global profile and rarity factor placed her firmly in the top tier.
‘She didn’t chase the show. When someone isn’t desperate for airtime, the number goes up.’ the insider explained.
Gary Sweet – $110,000 to $140,000
The veteran actor is considered a dependable performer producers trust to deliver emotional storylines.
‘He understands television. You know he’ll give you moments you can promo,’ the source said.
Deni Hines – $100,000
Gary Sweet is not far off and is considered a dependable performer producers trust to deliver emotional storylines, earning a cool $110,000 to $140,000
Deni Hines is rumoured to have picked up a whopping $100,000 pay cheque thanks to decades of public recognition
AFL star Dyson Heppell picked up a whopping $90,000 to $120,000
With decades of public recognition, Hines was slotted into the respected mid-to-upper bracket.
‘If viewers instantly know who you are, you’re already winning the negotiation,’ the insider explained.
Dyson Heppell – $90,000 to $120,000
Once a category that demanded top dollar, sports stars are now negotiated far harder.
‘Unless you’re a once-in-a-generation name, you don’t get special treatment anymore,’ the source said.
Rebekah Elmaloglou – $90,000 to $120,000
The actress fits the familiar soap-to-jungle formula producers still value.
‘She comes with an emotional shorthand. Audiences already feel invested,’ the insider explained.
Rebekah Elmaloglou is getting paid in the $90,000 to $120,000 bracket
Former NRL player and Bachelor Luke Bateman landed in the lower-middle tier
Despite her online following, Mia Fevola is believed to be among the lowest-paid cast members
Nath Valvo – $80,000 to $100,000
Comedians are viewed as utility players rather than marquee names.
‘They help carry scenes and keep energy up. ‘But they’re not the reason people tune in.’
Concetta Caristo – $70,000 to $90,000
The radio host was reportedly hired for unpredictability rather than fame.
‘She’s there to shake things up,’ the insider added.
‘That’s a different pay bracket.’
Luke Bateman – $70,000 to $90,000
While contestants haggle over five-figure deals, the real budget has been funnelled elsewhere. ‘With hosts like Robert Irwin on multi-million-dollar contracts, the cast budget gets gutted,’ a production source said. ‘That’s the trade-off’
The former NRL player and Bachelor landed in the lower-middle tier.
‘There’s no shortage of ex-athletes willing to do reality TV. That affects the numbers,’ the source said.
Mia Fevola – $40,000 to $60,000
Despite her online following, Fevola is believed to be among the lowest-paid cast members.
‘Social media reach doesn’t move the needle for TV advertising,’ the insider stressed.
‘It’s not the bargaining chip people think it is.’
Insiders say several cast members were unhappy with their deals but felt pressure to accept.
‘There’s a quiet understanding,’ the source said. ‘Say no, and you don’t get invited back into the TV world.’
Another insider was even more blunt.
‘Some of them are basically being paid to starve on camera,’ they said.
‘If the cheque was bigger, the complaints would stop.’
While contestants haggle over five-figure deals, the real budget has been funnelled elsewhere.
‘With hosts like Robert Irwin on multi-million-dollar contracts, the cast budget gets gutted,’ a production source said.
‘That’s the trade-off.’
Network 10 declined to comment when approached by Daily Mail.
I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! PAYCHEQUES REVEALED
Barry Williams – $150,000 to $180,000
Highest-paid contestant due to international legacy status and nostalgia value.
Rachel Hunter – $140,000 to $170,000
Global profile and rarity factor places her among the top earners.
Gary Sweet – $110,000 to $140,000
Veteran TV actor paid for reliability and emotional storytelling.
Deni Hines – $100,000 to $130,000
Long-standing household name with broad generational appeal.
Dyson Heppell – $90,000 to $120,000
Former AFL captain earning mid-tier sports star money.
Rebekah Elmaloglou – $90,000 to $120,000
Familiar soap star profile favoured by producers.
Nath Valvo – $80,000 to $100,000
Stand-up comedian paid as a strong supporting cast member.
Concetta Caristo – $70,000 to $90,000
Radio personality hired for unpredictability and commentary.
Luke Bateman – $70,000 to $90,000
Former NRL player sitting in the lower-middle bracket.
Mia Fevola – $40,000 to $60,000
Social media personality believed to be among the lowest-paid.