ITV confirms popular show won't return in 2024

The Real Full Monty has been 'rested' by ITV after the channel struggled to find stars willing to strip off for the show

'The Real Full Monty', ITV's hit show where celebrities strip to raise cancer awareness, is set for a hiatus. The channel has opted not to bring the show back this year. An ITV spokesperson said: "'The Real Full Monty' has taken a number of guises over the past few years from the original men-only line-up, to a version on ice, in order to raise awareness around cancer."

They added, "We are resting the format this year."

Choreographer Ashley Banjo has been a constant presence since the show's debut with an all-male cast in 2017. However, sources suggest that recruiting celebrities ready to strip down has become increasingly challenging. A source disclosed to the Daily Mirror: "Getting celebrities to agree to take off all their clothes in front of not only a live audience, but millions more thanks to the cameras, is no small task."

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They mentioned, "Even Coleen Nolan, who has been involved for many years, has told how absolutely terrifying she finds it."

Hence, the decision was made to pause the show, although it might not mean a permanent end. "It does not mean it will never come back, but there are no plans in the pipeline at this point," a source explained.

The show's climax traditionally features the celebrities performing a striptease. While 'The Real Full Monty' is currently on hold, ITV hasn't closed the door on its return, with an insider telling the publication, "We are always open to new ideas for 'The Real Full Monty'."

In the previous year, a Christmas special titled 'The Real Full Monty: Jingle Balls' showcased a star-studded line-up including The Only Way Is Essex's Gemma Collins and Pete Wicks, Dancing on Ice professional Vanessa Bauer, and former England rugby player Ben Cohen.