Does he come or does he not come? This question has hovered over the jungle camp since the start of season 16. Actor Martin Semmelrogge was supposed to travel to Australia as one of the twelve candidates – but he never got there. Instead, Djamila Rowe moved in as the 13th participant. That left open whether Semmelrogge would follow at a later date. But now it’s clear: nothing will come of it. The jungle camp for the 67-year-old is officially fixed.

On day four of the show, the RTL broadcaster said in an Instagram post: “Unfortunately, Martin didn’t make it to Australia. He just landed back in Germany and is on his way to Mallorca.” Landed at the airport in Frankfurt, Semmelrogge said: “I wish you a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I had to turn back. The plane only went to Doha.”

A lack of paper and problems with the visa made it impossible for Semmelrogge to enter Australia. At the beginning, the actor was still confident that everything would work out. “I think everything will be cool,” he said. But he was probably a bit too optimistic and now had to start the journey home to his adopted home of Palma de Mallorca before the adventure in the Australian jungle even began.

Semmelrogge’s career in front of the camera began in the seventies. His greatest successes include a role in Wolfgang Petersen’s film “Das Boot” and an appearance in Steven Spielberg’s drama “Schindler’s List”. But the great career did not materialize. Instead, the actor has repeatedly run into trouble with the law. He has been sentenced to multiple fines and prison terms, including for traffic offences, shoplifting and drug possession.

In 2014, Semmelrogge was broke and had to undergo insolvency proceedings. He could certainly have used the jungle fee. Maybe it will work out next year with his participation. “See you next time,” he said after his return to Germany.