Dean McCullough Moved to Early Show Amid Bullying Allegations
ITV’s I’m A Celebrity star Dean McCullough, also known for his stint as a BBC Radio 1 presenter, has found himself in the spotlight for reasons beyond the jungle. Allegations of workplace bullying led to McCullough’s reassignment from his afternoon show to an early morning slot earlier this year, reports have revealed.
Dean, 32, had co-hosted the 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM afternoon show alongside Vicky Hawkesworth, but tensions reportedly escalated behind the scenes. According to a Radio 1 insider quoted by MailOnline, staff raised serious concerns. “Quite a few people who worked with Dean were really unhappy – and some of them made it very clear with bosses,” the source stated. “They accused him of being a bully to staff, and they just didn’t want to keep working with him any longer. To be honest, by the end, it was just chaos.”
Producers allegedly refused to collaborate with McCullough, prompting management to reassign him to the Early Breakfast Show, broadcast from 5:00 AM to 7:30 AM Monday through Thursday. The move also involved a relocation from London to Manchester, distancing him from the staff who had lodged complaints.
A BBC spokesperson addressed the controversy, stating, “We don’t comment on individuals, but we take any allegations of inappropriate behavior very seriously, and the BBC has robust processes in place to investigate them thoroughly.”
Dean’s shift came shortly after he and Hawkesworth replaced veteran presenter Scott Mills, who moved on to host Radio 2’s Breakfast show. The abrupt change marked a significant career shift for McCullough, whose new time slot is often referred to as the “graveyard shift.”
In addition to workplace challenges, McCullough has faced friction within the I’m A Celebrity camp. He has reportedly clashed with fellow contestants, including Alan Halsall and Melvin Odoom, over not contributing fairly to camp chores.
As McCullough navigates his new role at Radio 1 and the challenges of the jungle, the allegations continue to cast a shadow. While his future at the BBC remains uncertain, the broadcaster’s commitment to investigating inappropriate behavior underscores the seriousness of the claims.
Fans of I’m A Celebrity are watching closely as McCullough juggles public scrutiny and life under the intense spotlight of reality television. Whether in the jungle or on the airwaves, his next moves will be closely observed.