I’m a Celebrity star Alan Halsall took a cheeky swipe at hosts Ant and Dec just minutes into the first episode tonight. I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! is back on our screens with a fresh batch of celebrities ready to take on its gruelling challenges.
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have also returned as hosts for the show that broadcasts from the Australian jungle. Celebrities will be facing tough Bushtucker Trials in a bid to snatch the jungle crown from 2023 winner Sam Thompson.
Just minutes into the first episode, Tulisa, Oti Mabuse, Jane Moore, Danny Jones and Dean McCullough were hit with a stomach-churning drink task before skydiving out of a helicopter. Once they landed, they met their other five campmates; GK Barry, Coleen Rooney, Melvin Odoom, Alan Halsall and Jane Moore.
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Half the celebrities skydived out of helicopters to meet the other five cast members on the beach before their race to camp began. Before Alan was chosen by Tulisa and went on to win the first challenge of the series, he was quick to make a jibe at hosts Ant and Dec.
The Coronation Street star quipped: “I mean they are only small they could be about.” Melvin quickly responded: “They’re about my height to be fair”.
In his VT Alan revealed his fears in the opening episode. While many celebrities shared their worries over being faced with creepy crawlies or heights – Alan is scared of bacon and fish. In an unusual confession, the TV star revealed his biggest fear in the jungle would be having to eat bacon.
While it might seem that the campmates are all getting along famously, tensions could be simmering between two of them as they adjust to jungle life. The celebs at the centre of speculation are 25 year old social media influencer GK Barry and 32 year old presenter Dean McCullough.
In a chat with MailOnline, Dean described himself as a “glass half full kind of guy” and expressed little patience for those content to “put their feet up”. On the flip side, GK took a different stance, branding herself as a “glass half empty kind of girl” and jokingly stating her intention to use the TV show as an opportunity to “have a relaxing couple of weeks in a hammock”. She candidly admitted: “I won’t bring much to the camp, or clean much.”
Ahead of tonight’s show, Dean issued a clear message to his fellow contestants: “There could be a few people on that lineup who think, ‘I’m just going to sit this one out, I’m not going to do the washing up’ but yes they are.”
Meanwhile, on I’m A Celebrity… Unpacked, Alan’s co-star Colson Smith commented: “He’s really just throwing himself in and its great to see him have so much fun. I know Alan very well… I thought coming into this environment he may be a bit different, standoffish, quiet, but he seems to be having the time of his life smiling away.”
He continued: “I want to see him do a trial. I think from seeing him tonight, he is going to throw himself in. I heard a rumour that Alan is terrible with spiders, so he’s kept that quiet when going in.”
Colson revealed his second favourite campmate: “So far, I do love Danny. I think he’s just so into it, and the rock hands at every opportunity – he’s going for it. Everyone’s got their thing, haven’t they.”
Speaking about Alan and Tulisa’s bond, Colson said: “They seem to be quite smitten now. They seem to be like two best mates.”