The jungle’s getting crowded as I’m A Celebrity welcomed two fresh faces in the episode aired on Thursday (November 21).
The ITV audience were treated to the entrance of Reverend Richard Coles and Love Island’s Maura Higgins, following much speculation about their participation.
Sequestered in a plush secondary camp, the duo are enjoying comforts such as a double bed, mini fridge, bath, and an array of snacks, a stark contrast to the main camp’s conditions.
Their secret mission is pull the wool over the eyes of their campmates by pretending they’re roughing it just like the rest. They’ve already pulled one over on Melvin Odoom during a challenge that saw him doused in offal while they relaxed.
Social media is abuzz with fans praising the new additions, especially Maura, with Instagram comments like: “I’m loving Maura, she has a fun, bubbly personality and I don’t even watch Love Island.”
Others have expressed their amusement, with remarks such as: “I don’t think I have laughed as much at this year’s I’m A Celebrity, Maura and Richard were brilliant!” and “I have never laughed so much in my life, poor Melvin, I can’t wait until they find out that Maura and Richard were living in luxury the whole time.”
One fan couldn’t contain their excitement, exclaiming: “This is one of the best episodes in history, this episode was brilliant.”
Another admirer wrote: “Maura is too funny, she’s going to win it,” and yet another chimed in with praise: “Whoever is responsible for casting Maura Higgins, I hope all your wildest dreams come true – iconic!”.
Maura first became a household name during the fifth series of Love Island in 2019, where she reached the final with her then-partner Curtis Pritchard. Her popularity soared as she took on the role of social host for the US version of Love Island last year.
She has since stepped up as the presenter of the spin-off programme Love Island USA: Aftersun this year, where she gets the scoop from the contestants who’ve left the villa.
I’m A Celebrity continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX followed by I’m A Celebrity: Unpacked after the main show on ITV2.