SECRETS FROM INSIDE THE JUNGLE
As a veteran of the show, Nicola McLean shares what really goes on behind the scenes in the infamous camp…
1 THE JUICIEST GOSSIP ISN’T REVEALED
“As much as we’re hoping for exciting Kardashian or Cheryl gossip, it might not be the case, because lawyers watch each episode before it airs to make sure the people campmates are talking about aren’t defamed. I was in Celebrity Big Brother with Ray J – Kim’s ex, with whom she did the sex tape – and he told us loads of stuff, but it never aired because of legal reasons.”
2 CAMPMATES SEND CRYPTIC MESSAGES HOME
“If you sometimes see contestants doing weird things like touching their hat three times or tapping their finger against their nose, it’s nothing sinister. It’s a wellknown way to send a message to loved ones – some people tell their families that’s what they'll do to show they’re thinking of them. I didn’t plan that though, so I just shouted out ‘I love you Tom!’ to my husband during the live shows.”
3 PRODUCERS INSTIGATE DRAMA
“The jungle is not like Big Brother where you see the cameras, so you’re unaware of them and act more naturally. But, if the conversation around the camp starts to get boring, sometimes the producers will give you a nudge at the Bush Telegraph and say, “How about you sit round the campfire and talk about this?”
4 YOU’RE GUIDED TO BUSHTUCKER TRIALS
“When you head off to do Dingo Dollars or Bushtucker trials, you’re sent off with the map, but actually a guide takes you there. They’re supposed to be completely silent, but once I broke down in tears and my guide gave me a mint and said, ‘Carry on, Nicola, you’re doing so well.’”
5 CELEBS HAVE TO CLEAN THE TOILET
“There aren’t any cleaners in camp, so the chores are delegated out. In our year, Joe Swash was drawn the short straw when he was put in charge of the dunny. Usually people rotate it, but Joe had no problem doing it for the whole time!”
6 THERE’S ONLY ONE MIRROR FOR EVERYONE
“You get basic provisions such as conditioner, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, insect repellent, a razor and one mirror for the whole of camp to keep clean, which they would replace if they ran out. It would be inhumane if you couldn’t keep clean. Obviously the girls might be on their period, so there would be sanitary towels as well.
7 MAKE-UP IS SMUGGLED IN
“I got away with smuggling in an eyebrow pencil and a concealer – I hid them in my bra! I ended up having the best skin in there though because of the sun and fresh air, so I didn’t even need them. Producers can’t strip search you, which is why girls smuggle things in their bras.”