Joe Swash left fans swooning during his return to I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here as they quickly spotted a change from his last stint on the show back in 2008. The former EastEnders actor has signed up to do it all again in the ITV show's first-ever spin-off, almost 15 years after being crowned King of the Jungle.
Joe made his first appearance in I'm A Celebrity... South Africa on Tuesday night (May 2) as he made his entrance into the South African bush alongside fellow former EastEnders star Dean Gaffney. But the pair weren't allowed to head straight to camp where they'll battle it out against the other memorable contestants to be crowned the first I'm A Celebrity 'Legend'.
They were reunited with hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly Flipping Disgusting drinking trial to win treats for their new campmates. Joe and Dean arrived secretly on the show, where they were greeted immediately with a Bushtucker trial, described as "one of the most disgusting ever" by ITV.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
The pair were made to drink “gruesome concoctions” named after individual campmates in a bid to win treats for them. It involved finishing drinks made of blended cow vagina, maggots, chicken intestines, and testicles, while McPartlin and Donnelly looked on with glee.
“I’m really nervous. I feel like I’m doing this for the first time again, which ain’t good,” Joe, 41, confessed ahead of his entrance while 45-year-old Dean admitted: "I’m probably more scared now than I was then."
But despite watching the stomach-churning challenge unfold, I'm A Celebrity viewers were flocking to social media to speak about Joe's new change in appearance.
@nick_porter tweeted: "Joe must be using caffeine shampoo. That's a great head of hair! #ImACeleb." @bogrollrex commented: "Joe Swash has more hair this time around on #ImACeleb." @mobrees asked: "Wait Joe Swash has dyed his hair ?#ImACeleb." @MeredithHepner added: "Blimey. Joe Swash’s hair has flourished #ImACeleb."
But the TV star had earlier come under fire when he announced his planned return to I'm A Celeb on Instagram. Sharing the promotional photo of himself sporting his red shirt, combat shorts and hat. "It’s good to be back…. I think?!?" Joe typed with a crying laughing emoji in the caption.
He added: "Going back to @imacelebrity (in South Africa!) was amazing and I’m gagging for u to see tonight’s big entrance with @deangaffney1." However, some were waiting to watch the episode to find out who the two new entrants to camp and were left disappointed.
@snape.chris said: "Thanks a lot for spoiling the surprise. Not much point watching." @jadams2911 commented: "Thanks for spoiling that before tonight's episode! @jacs_51x wrote: "Well that’s the surprise ruined for me." @samconroy79 replied: "Spoiler alert. Aye cheers buddy." @shazzaredford added: "No need to watch it now. We know who it is."
Others, however, defended him. @lucyholt29 said: "It’s not a spoiler! Imaceleb already posted like 4hrs ago saying they were going in. Get a grip people. Good luck Joe." @laurarouvrayxo echoed: "People moaning it’s a spoiler… I’m a celebrity page announced it 4 hours ago." @shellmm72 added: "It's been advertised from the start that he and Dean Gaffney were going in later, I'm not sure what surprise has been spoiled for everyone?? Well done Joe."
READ NEXT:
- Gemma Atkinson wows with Emmerdale throwback snap as she makes joke at former co-stars before 'small win'
- Stacey Solomon tells fans of hidden struggle amid Joe Swash's I'm A Celebrity return
- Coronation Street's Sally Ann Matthews dubbed 'mega babe' by co-star as she's supported over fresh challenge
- Strictly's Giovanni Pernice says 'you know me' as he's left emotional over achievement supported by Rose Ayling-Ellis
- Helen Flanagan tries new style of parenting after suffering 'mum guilt' over bank holiday hangover