ITV’s flagship show, I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! has always been in competition with the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, being scheduled at the same time of year and trying to net stellar line-ups.

But the BBC ballroom show suffered a major blow this year when its star presenters Claudia Winkelman and Tess Daly announced this would be their final series.

And now host, Ant McPartlin has poked fun at ITV’s rival, saying Tess Daly ‘would be free’ to be a campmate on next year’s show after quitting the BBC programme.

During Ant’s after-show at Jungle Club, a fan suggested that the 56-year-old presenter, whose husband Vernon Kay appeared on the show in 2020, should go on I’m A Celebrity next year.

The 50-year-old host jumped to the idea and said: ‘Tess Daly, that would be a good one, and she’ll be free.’

Fellow presenter, Joel Dommett, laughed and said: ‘She’s not free until there’s a price!’

Ant and his longtime hosting partner, Declan Donnelly, have hosted I’m A Celebrity for 25 years, while Tess is finishing off an impressive 21 years at the helm of Strictly Come Dancing.

His comments come after Tess has been reflecting on the ‘wonderful times’ presenting Strictly as she prepares to step down from the series next month.

It is yet to be announced who will replace the duo that presented for 12 years before it was revealed that the Traitor’s host, 53, was landing her own chat show with the BBC, but it is unclear what Tess will go on to do.

Sharing a series of photos from her years at Blackpool, where the Strictly final is held, Tess reflected on all her ‘lasts’ with the BBC show and her ‘precious memories’ at the venue.

She wrote: ‘Today we are back in Blackpool for our Strictly rehearsals ahead of tomorrow’s live show.

'It’s had me reflecting on all the “last times” we’re experiencing as our time on the show comes to a close.

‘Blackpool holds such a special place in my heart, not only for the unforgettable shows presenting alongside Bruce [Forsyth] and Claudia for so many years.

'We’ve had so many wonderful times here: unforgettable dances, fish and chips every year without fail, and an audience that always welcomes us with open arms.

'I’ve been looking back on some precious Blackpool memories. Let’s go out with a bang, Blackpool!'

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.