Mark Herlaar Reveals Kiosk Kev’s New Role in I’m a Celebrity’s Jungle Hotline

Mark Herlaar is trading his familiar ice-cream van setup for a new way of delivering treats on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, according to the show details reported ahead of its 2026 launch. Herlaar, who appears as the gruff, bearded Kiosk Kev, is expected to stay at home on his verandah rather than work from the van during the upcoming series. The programme is also replacing its Deals on Wheels feature with the Jungle Hotline. Contestants will face a challenge to get into a golden phone box placed outside camp. If they manage it, they can call Kev and ask for a treat. He will then ring a red phone box at camp, where the treat will be revealed and locked inside a new British-style post box. The campmates will have to complete a task or answer a question set by Kev to open the post box and claim their reward. If they fail, the treat will be destroyed in front of them, the report says. The revamped format keeps Herlaar in the role of the person the celebrities contact during the challenges, while giving his character a new setting and a fresh part to play. Herlaar has appeared as Kiosk Kev since 2018. The character is known for his silent, grumpy manner, long beard and cowboy hat, and has become a recurring presence on the ITV reality show. The reported changes focus on the character and challenge format; the article also describes preparations to make the camp accessible for contestant Ade Adepitan, including altered paths and a stairlift.