I'm a Celebrity 2015: Michael Buerk discusses banned behaviour from masturbation to bullying

But nudity, 'reciprocated sexual behaviour' and rudeness are all given the go-ahead

BBC broadcaster Michael Buerk took part in last year's I'm a Celebrity (Rex Features)

The truth about what campmates are banned from doing on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! has been revealed by former contestant Michael Buerk.

The BBC broadcaster took part in the ITV reality series last year and told Radio Times what the strict jungle rules involved.

Executive producer Becca Walker reportedly gave celebrities a laminated sheet of rules stating that while there was “no problem with nudity”, a list of other behaviour was deemed “inappropriate”, including “bullying, ‘non-consensual touching’, masturbation (she seemed particularly concerned about that), homophobic language or attitudes and ‘category A’ swear words (which include the f-word and c-word).”

Despite these warnings, however, Buerk recalls the conversation of several contestants consisting of little else but swearing.

“It was all rather odd because it was made clear that there was 'no problem' with nudity ('in a non-sexual context'), sexual behaviour 'that is reciprocated', and rudeness,” he said. “The one thing they were adamant about was harming the wildlife: 'You could be prosecuted’.“

Buerk was the third celebrity to be voted off, after spending time in the camp with the likes of politician Edwina Currie, TV presenter Melanie Sykes, X Factor contestant Jake Quickenden and World Superbike Champion and eventual winner Carl Fogarty. He struck up an unlikely friendship with rapper Tinchy Stryder.

But despite a blossoming bromance, Buerk describes his time in the jungle as “part prison camp, part torture centre, part laboratory experiment in social anthropology; cruelty with its tongue in its cheek, staged at vast expense (and huge profit) for the amusement of millions”.

He lost 8kg over three weeks on the show, and reckons the format “works on techniques perfected by the Gestapo and the KGB”.

The next series kicks off on Sunday night at 9pm, hosted once again by Ant and Dec. Celebrities are yet to be announced but are rumoured to include Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter and former footballer Kieron Dyer.

I’m a Celebrity continues to be a ratings hit, with the 2014 final attracting over 11 million viewers.