by I’m A Celebrity will return to ITV tonight, but don’t expect the usual Australian-based camping rehearsals and public-voted departures.
For the first time on this long-running reality show, I’m A Celebrity will host a sort of “best of” series where a handful of former campmates are invited to a new camp to survive another stint on the air. open – this time moving the action from Australia to South Africa.
“It’s a completely different landscape and they’re vying to be the first I’m A Celebrity Legend of the Savannah,” Dec told Lorraine Kelly earlier this year.
To know more: All the I’m A Celebrity winners so far
Meanwhile, Ant added: “It’s cool, and it’s slightly different from the show we do in Australia because they go head-to-head in trials and whoever loses walks away, so it’s pretty brutal. That’s how we decide the winner. We had a lot of fun.”
When is I’m A Celebrity: South Africa on TV?
ITV has announced that I’m a Celeb: South Africa will air from tonight, Monday 24th April. The first episode lasts 90 minutes and airs from 21:00 to 22:30.
The show will then air nightly that week at 9pm, with some episodes being 75 minutes long and others 60 minutes long.
Shot entirely in advance, there will be no audience voting element for this one-off series hosted again by Ant and Dec – and names of returning celebrity campmates had until recently been kept under wraps.
With many famous faces rumored to be returning to the jungle – from 2007 contestant Myleene Klass to Richard Madeley’s short-lived 2021 appearance – we now know exactly who will be taking part in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here : South Africa.
But remember, ITV also teased “there will be a lot more celebrities taking part in the series, but viewers will have to watch to find out who they are and when they’ll step into the fray.”
Let’s meet this year’s confirmed field mates…
Who is on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here: South Africa?
Shaun Ryder
Salford singer-songwriter and Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder will be touring his melon in South Africa this April as a contestant on the 2023 reunion show.
Ryder took part in the 10th edition of I’m A Celebrity in 2010 and came close to winning as well. Unfortunately, he failed to call himself King of The Jungle, finishing in second place behind series winner Stacey Solomon.
Speaking of his comeback, Ryder said: ‘All I remember from rehearsals is eating loads of penises, testicles and eyeballs. I could have stayed another year in Australia. I enjoyed living out in the camp and had a good time. laugh with my fellow celebrities. I know going to South Africa is going to be a great adventure. I can’t wait to do it.”
Amir Khan
The 2017 edition of I’m A Celebrity featured an appearance by former professional boxer Amir Khan – and this year’s series will do the same.
Khan managed to last 20 days in the backcountry before being written out of the show and landing in fifth place. Meanwhile, Khan’s 17th series saw British reality star Georgia Toffollo go all out and win the show.
“I’m a Celeb has helped me overcome my phobia of spiders and snakes,” Khan admitted, while discussing the new series. “He’s also made me tougher as a person and this time I’m determined not to be soft when it comes to the Trials!”
Elena Flanagan
Perhaps best known for playing Rosie Webster in the hit soap Coronation Street, Helen Flanagan made her jungle debut in the twelfth series of 2012. She too will be heading to South Africa for the latest outing of I’m A Celeb in South Africa .
Flanagan survived 17 days in the Australian jungle before being eliminated to leave seventh. It was former biker Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty who was eventually crowned King of the Jungle that year.
To know more: All the winners of I’m A Celebrity
“I’m not saying I’m going to go in and be a jungle warrior and I’m going to be absolutely amazing because I’m not going to,” laughed Flanagan upon her return. “Yes, I’ll be scared, but I’ll try and I’ll be much better than last time!”
Jordan Banjo
Dancer and diversity member Jordan Banjo learned a lot during his time in the jungle in 2016, including how to wash up after his fellow campmates. He’ll be back in April to learn more crucial life skills and potentially emerge as this year’s winner.
That said, he failed to win the crown on his most recent visit. Instead, it was presenter Scarlett Moffatt who made it all the way to the end, with TV host and comedian Joel Dommett in second place.
“How many people get the chance to do it twice?” suggested Banjo, announcing his return. “A streak with several fellow campmates over the years looks pretty cool and my fellow dancers at Diversity are thrilled to see me suffer again!”
Paul Burrell
From royal butler to jungle campmate, Paul Burrell came as high as second when he last visited the jungle in 2004. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to emerge as the winner of series four, with squeaky-voiced comedian Joe Pasquale which took over first place.
“I loved doing it the first time and being invited back is very special,” she said, commenting on her upcoming trip to the camp.
“It’s like getting to the final of the Jungle Olympics. I’ve had to eat kangaroo testicles in Australia and I expect everything to be bigger in South Africa.”
Carol Vordermann
The 2016 edition of the show saw math whiz and former Countdown host Carol Vorderman head to the jungle for a memorable stay. After a few close calls with the public vote, Vorderman finally walked out after 18 days and five Bush Tucker trials.
Will he make it to the finals of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here: South Africa?
“Doing I’m A Celebrity changed me a lot and I can’t wait to be part of this new series,” she said. “I loved everything about I’m A Celebrity [the first time round].”
Fatima Whitbread
Fatima Whitbread’s Olympic stamina was impressively tapped during the 11th series of I’m A Celeb in 2011. It was even enough to help her finish in the bottom three of the show, just behind second-round football pundit Mark Wright and series champion Dougie Poynter of McFly.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself in the Australian camp and I know there will be full-sized characters and full-sized egos in South Africa too,” Whitbread admitted.
“But what a great experience it will be.”
Janice Dickinson
Former supermodel Janice Dickinson delighted fans of the seventh series of I’m A Celeb with her constant catchphrases and outspoken style. In fact, audiences loved her so much that she eventually emerged as the runner-up of series seven, bested only by the equally entertaining actor Christopher Biggins.
“I’ll be back for more fun, more camaraderie and to see if I can get along with everyone,” Dickinson joked.
“You never know what’s going to jump up and bite your ass.”
Phil Tufnell
Ex-cricketer Phil Tufnell has been crowned champion of the show’s second series – and now he’s back for more. Can this previous winner reach the finals again? All will be revealed when Ant and Dec’s new release hits screens again.
“I’m one of the lucky few to have gone into the jungle and experienced it all and that’s what attracted me when they phoned to ask me to participate again,” said Tufnell. “I said yes immediately.”
I’m a celebrity… Get me out of here: South Africa starts April 24th.
