JUNGLE JAPES
After two years away, ANT AND DEC are returning to the Australian rainforest
I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
Sunday-friday, times vary, ITV
BRACE YOURSELVES FOR more terrifying trials, creepy crawlies, and intrepid celebrities. After two series at Gwrych Castle in Wales, Ant and Dec finally return to the Australian rainforest this week for ITV’S long-running entertainment show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
‘We had a great time for two years in Wales, and we were made to feel very welcome, but Australia is the show’s spiritual home, plus everyone wants to see a bit of sunshine on the telly at this time of year,’ says Ant, 46.
RUMOURED CAMPMATES
Among the celebrities rumoured to be braving the challenges, the bugs, and each other for the show’s 22nd series are Coronation Street favourite Sue Cleaver, pop legend Boy George, radio DJ Chris Moyles, comedian Seann Walsh, Love Island’s Olivia Attwood, and ex-rugby star and royal Mike Tindall.
‘All your favourites are back, including the iconic Bushtucker Trials – and I know Kiosk Kev can’t wait to meet the class of 2022,’ says executive producer Olly Nash.
‘We’ve got some brilliant surprises lined up. You especially might want to keep an eye on the camp... I’ll say no more!’
According to Dec, 47, the rainforest will present the celebrities with a more difficult challenge than they would have faced in Wales, which stepped in as the show’s temporary location because of Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions.
‘We can torment the celebs more in Australia,’ he smiles. ‘It’s harder conditions outside, and there are all
sorts of creepy crawlies in the camp, so it’s harder in Australia, definitely.’
Dec learned first-hand just how vicious the jungle critters can be back in 2008 when he got a nasty spider bite during one of Martina Navratilova’s Bushtucker Trials.
‘I could feel my hand swelling up at the time, but then I woke up the next morning and it had turned into two blood blisters,’ he recalls. ‘I went to see the medic and was given an injection – but I’m not great with needles and I passed out!’