Who are you backing to become the first I’m A Celebrity ‘Legend’? (Picture: ITV)
After months of waiting, speculation, rumours and predictions, I’m A Celebrity… South Africa has finally landed, boasting an all-star cast filled with huge, attention-drawing personalities.
The first nine members of the line-up (minus the upcoming late arrivals) embarked on their new pre-recorded adventure on Monday night, with Carol Vorderman, Jordan Banjo, Helen Flanagan and Fatima Whitbread among their ranks.
In our opinion, anyone who thought a series featuring past contestants wasn’t necessary are sure to feel that they’ve been mistaken after giving this a watch.
It’s bursting with nostalgia, well-suited (and possibly clashing) personalities and the prospect of more daring Bushtucker Trials than we’ve ever seen before in the ITV series – so what more could you want?!
In a similar vein to the previous seasons of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, all of the celebrities had to participate in terrifying tasks straight away before they’d met everyone, taking on horrific Hell Holes and near-unimaginable heights.
But this time, the famous faces and their viewers have the luxury of hindsight – so we can remember exactly which campmates let their fears get the best of them during their last go around.
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Cheeky Amir Khan, best-remembered in the jungle for stealing strawberries from his fellow castmates in 2017, is here to prove that this time, he isn’t going to let his terror take over him during Bushtucker Trials – while Coronation Street star Helen is determined to never say the fateful words ‘I’m a celebrity – get me out of here’… even though she did in the past.
While facing the Newton’s Cradle challenge high up above the Savannah, attached to a harness and tasked with jumping from a huge red ball to the next amid scary winds, it seemed at one point that Helen was going to back out straight away.
Given we know the celebrities’ history on the show, it makes it that much more satisfying when they overcome their fears and achieve feats that even they didn’t think that they were capable of, particularly in the case of Helen.
We had our doubts when she was close to throwing up while watching powerhouse Olympic athlete Fatima Whitbread go first, and then enthusiastically cheering on cricket star Phil Tufnell from the sidelines… so it was a relief when she actually got up there and did herself proud.
Fatima is already a bona fide legend, so why not be granted an official ‘Legend’ title? (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
One of the most hilarious moments of the episode came when former royal butler Paul Burrell recreated his previous experience with the Hell Holes, which went down in I’m A Celebrity history as one of the most memorable and hilarious moments on the show ever.
Sticking his arms into holes to face unknown terrors on the other side, he couldn’t help but let out horrified squeals and gasps in 2004 in the face of critters as Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly watched on in hysterics.
One might think in 19 years he’d have learnt to stay calm and collected – but the exact same thing happened yet again this time while in the company of supermodel Janice Dickinson and Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder, the latter of whom took great pleasure in giving Paul a good tease.
First night in camp always tends to be fairly mellow, as the celebrities reunite with old friends or meet up with new acquaintances (such as in the case of Janice, who seems to be unaware of who anybody is).
There have been reports of drama brewing between Janice and Carol… but tomorrow night’s episode looks like it’s going to be focused on a different area of camp as tension arises.
At the end of Monday’s instalment, the rumour that former campmate Gillian McKeith – remembered for her fainting episode in 2010 – was making a return was confirmed, with the TV personality carried into camp in a huge box by members of the crew.
While some campmates exclaim with excitement over her arrival, one person in particular doesn’t look at all happy – Shaun.
Gillian is back to give I’m A Celebrity another go (Picture: ITV)
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Anyone who watched the series 13 years ago will remember that Gillian and Shaun famously did not see eye to eye one bit, with their bad blood continuing to linger over the years.
With Shaun already telling some of the others about his ill-feelings towards Gillian, will the pair make peace or could explosive drama already be on the horizon in South Africa?
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa returns tomorrow at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Who are you backing to become the first I’m A Celebrity ‘Legend’?