I'm A Celebrity 2022 is set to make a return to screens tonight as a group of new celebrity campmates prepare to head across the infamous bridge and into the jungle.
This year's series promises to be a good one as, for the first time in three years, the Geordie presenting duo, the ITV reality show's crew, and of course, the celebrities will be back in Australia.
The show temporarily moved to Gwrych Castle in North Wales for the last two series due to travel restrictions as a result of the Covid pandemic.
Author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher won the show in 2020, and last year, former Emmerdale actor Danny Miller emerged victorious as King of the Castle.
But over the past three years, there has been just one Queen of the jungle crowned as ex-EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa was the last celeb to win the title in the Australian jungle.
Time and channel
I'm A Celebrity returns to our screens on Sunday night at 9pm with an extended 105-minute episode.
Irish viewers will be able to catch the show on Virgin Media One as fans eagerly await all that the first episode has in store.
When the return date was announced, fans were quick to realise that it is starting much earlier than last year's series, which didn't kick off until the end of the month.
The show will start earlier this year to avoid a clash with the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Qatar on Sunday, November 20.
Full lineup
And so, who is heading into the jungle?
Mike Tindall
Former professional rugby union player and member of the Royal Family Mike Tindall is set to make history with his appearance.
Mike, 44, landed Down Under in the early hours of Friday morning and will be the first royal to take part in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
The rugby pundit, who is married to Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall, seemed excited about swapping royal life in favour of slumming it in the jungle as he told reporters: "It should be good fun, why not? It is always worth a go, isn't it."
Meanwhile, as Mike was told it was the first big reality series a royal had done since It's A Knockout, he added: "No one said that when I did Bear Grylls and The Jump, and I just do things I think will be fun."
If Mike were to win the series, he would become King of the Jungle before King Charles III's official coronation. When told this, he laughed and said: "I am not really thinking about that, to be honest."
Babatunde Aleshe
Celebrity Gogglebox star and stand-up comedian Babatunde Aleshe is swapping the comfort own his sofa for something less snug for a few weeks.
The 36-year-old was coy when quizzed about whether he was taking part in I'm A Celeb shortly after landing in Australia.
But he soon opened up as the comedian said: "I am here to have a good time, you know what I mean.
"I am not a camper, I am not going to lie, not at all. Where I am staying, I am alright for spiders and snakes, well I should be OK. I hope so!"
Babatunde is a rising star in the comedy industry, but the gruelling ITV show could propel him further into the limelight – just like The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett, who was a runner-up in the 2016 series.
Asked if presenting was his ultimate goal like Joel, he said: "I am inspired by him, and I would love to have a career like Joel's. By just watching him, I am inspired. I don't look at it as something to inspire to do, but I am a big fan of him and me and him, we talk, we are good friends."
Charlene White
From Loose Women to ITV News, daytime TV fans can't get enough of Charlene.
Now fans are set to see a different side of the 42-year-old newsreader as she is poised for the I'm A Celeb camp.
The TV star arrived at Brisbane airport on Thursday and revealed she hopes to surprise people with her stint in the jungle.
Charlene said: "I don't really like creepy crawlies, so I don't imagine it was a show I would ever do, to be honest. And I am not particularly outdoorsy, so I don't know how that would work.
"I don't camp, I stopped going to girl guides because they kept making me camp, so I definitely don't camp."
"I think if I was ever to do a show such as I'm A Celebrity, the issues will mainly be the outdoors, I don't do bugs, I don't do spiders, I don't do any of those things. So why would I sign up?!
"There are several facets to me, so perhaps I would surprise people. Who knows? Maybe you will see a different side."
Jill Scott
Fresh from winning the Euros earlier this year with England, Lioness Jill Scott was the fifth celebrity to arrive on Thursday morning.
She was asked what would be more nerve wracking, the Euros final or the jungle, and she said: "That is a very good question, but I don't think anything will test my nerves as much as that final.
"I have never really been confronted by snakes and spiders in England, so I don't know how I will react to them, apart from a spider in the bath every now and then."
Midfielder Jill, 35, grabbed the attention of the nation when she appeared to aim a number of expletives at Germany's Sydney Lohmann during the Euros final, with the clip going viral.
She could be using those types of words again on TV if chosen to do a particularly difficult trial.
But she added: "I've never had an interview where they haven't mentioned that! I am not proud of that swearing, and I don't usually swear, so I like to think that wouldn't happen again.
"I have been doing a lot of random stuff, but coaching is what I want to do eventually. I am just going to enjoy this time and enjoy life."
On the prospect of being competitive in camp and trying to win, she said: "I am competitive on a day to day basis, so yeah."
Owen Warner
Hollyoaks hunk Owen appeared to be less concerned with creepy crawlies than the other stars as he discussed hopes for a jungle romance as he touched down at Brisbane Airport.
As the soap actor, who has played Romeo Nightingale since 2018, made his way through arrivals, he made his intentions clear.
He said: "My mum is the one who is going to be the one missing me. I am single and ready for the jungle. I am always looking for romance, but I am not going in, especially for that.
"I will miss football and family most."
Owen previously dated former Hollyoaks co-star Stephanie Davis, who played Sinead Shelby on the soap, before they split in 2019.
Sue Cleaver
Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver is used to entertaining ITV fans as she's played Eileen Grimshaw on the soap since 2000.
Now, she has decided to follow in the footsteps paved by a number of her past and present cast mates by stepping off the cobbles and into the jungle.
Shortly after welcoming her grandson, Sue hopped on a plane Down Under but kept tight-lipped on the reason for her visit.
The actress, who has played Eileen Grimshaw since 2000, simply said, "I love visiting Australia," before getting into a waiting car and declining to answer further questions about the show.
Olivia Attwood
Former Love Island star Olivia landed Down Under ready to make history as the first Islander to ever appear on the show – breaking the previous ban on those who have tried to find love in the villa entering the hit jungle-based show.
Speaking as she arrived in Australia, Olivia admitted she will missed her footballer fiancé Bradley Dack during her time in the jungle and confessed she's worried about how her other campmates will tolerate her.
"I am scared of me, in terms of how long the other campmates can tolerate me. I will get myself in trouble somehow, the usual," the star confessed at the airport.
Asked what she will miss, she referred to her boyfriend, saying: "It is day one at the minute, so I'm not missing much. But in three or four days, the dogs and my fiancé probably.
"I mean, four weeks and no sh*gging. What can you do?"
Chris Moyles
Ten years after Ant and Dec urged Chris Moyles to jet to the jungle, he has finally given in.
Wearing a bracelet to hint at his I'm A Celeb appearance, Radio X breakfast host Chris, 48, was the first celebrity to land in Australia on Tuesday.
The DJ was determined not to share his fears as he was quizzed shortly after landing as he said: "There's lots of everything in this country, like sport and beer, and I am not scared of sport of beer. So I think I will be alright."
Ant and Dec set their sights on Chris back in 2012, as Geordie Dec explained: "He would be really funny, he'd probably win.
"And he's lost so much weight, even the lack of food wouldn't bother him." Ant added: "The thing is eventually they all say yes. We just wear them down."
It appears the duo has indeed finally worn Chris down!
Boy George
Boy George, 61, is said to have secured the highest pay cheque in the show's history – with ITV bosses reportedly excited to have signed the star.
An ITV source reportedly told how the latest signing to the new series, which will take place in Australia for the first time since 2019, is "beyond exciting" for the channel.
Bosses reportedly also have "no doubt" Boy George will "draw in viewers" as he's a global superstar.
Culture Club star Boy George is also said to be "hugely popular" in Australia, which makes him the "perfect addition" as the show heads back Down Under.
Seann Walsh
Comedian Seann, 36, hit the headlines across the UK four years ago as he was pictured locking lips with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Katya Jones.
The pair, who both had partners at the time as Katya was married to Neil Jones and Seann was dating Rebecca Humphries, apologised for the kiss.
But, the snog left Seann's career in tatters. He has since returned to comedy and regularly makes jokes about the kiss.
Now, ITV bosses hope Seann will tell all about the kiss in the jungle.
A source claimed to The Sun: "Life in the jungle is boring and those long hours around the campfire would be the perfect time for Seann to get talking. He can't shy away from it either as he's best known for that snog. It's unlikely his campmates won't bring it up."
Scarlette Douglas
Former A Place In The Sun star Scarlette, 35, quit the programme earlier this year – leaving room in her schedule for a trip Down Under.
Reports of Scarlette signing up for the gruelling challenge surfaced just last week as a A TV insider told The Sun : "Scarlette has what it takes to become a big household name like Stacey Solomon and Joel Dommett after her time in the Jungle.
"She has proved to be a hit amongst viewers following the success of her property shows and there is no doubt that she will be inundated with offers for more telly gigs."
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