This year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here got off to a thrilling start this week as the campmates were thrown right into the action.
Ahead of Sunday’s launch show, half the celebrities gathered at the million dollar Queensland mansion, Diamond Head, as they met each other for the first time.
Yet there was no time for pleasantries between singer Tulisa Contostavlos, McFly’s Danny Jones, Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough, Loose Women star Jane Moore and Strictly dancer Oti Mabuse as they immediately had a challenge.
The group had to take on a drinking challenge, chugging down blended bull’s penis with fish eyes and a garnish of vomit fruit.
They were then informed they had to race to their camp, prompting the team to sprint across the lawn and to waiting helicopters.
Oti Mabuse (left) and Tulisa worked up a sweat as they kicked off the first I’m A Celeb challenge on Thursday at a million-dollar mansion in Queensland
As they an as fast as they could to the choppers, hosts Ant and Dec watched on in amusement, with Ant gleefully whipping his phone out to record them
As the likes of Tulisa, 36, and Oti, 34, ran as fast as they could to the choppers, hosts Ant and Dec watched on in amusement, with Ant gleefully whipping his phone out to record them.
The group had a big run ahead of them as the sprawling estate in Coomera, Queensland, which has been rented by the likes of Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp, w
The 45 acre plot of land boasts a landing strip for private jets, a helicopter operations centre, a go-kart track, a marina for boats, a main residence and guest house.
Known as Diamond Head, the impressive residence was previously owned by the Australian motorcycling champion, Mick Doohan, who bought it for £886,000 in 1996.
Once the campmates were up in the air, they were transported 700km north of the mansion to Byron Bay where they completed a parachute jump down to the beach where the remaining contestants were waiting.
Coleen Rooney headed up the group waiting on the beach and was joined by Melvin Odoom, Barry McGuigan, GK Barry and Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall.
Weather conditions proved to be a problem for the stars waiting as production staff sheltered them from the blazing Australian sun with umbrellas.
But the wind on the beach was so rough that the umbrellas were blown the wrong way which reportedly amused Coleen Rooney who was seen by an onlooker to be laughing about it with her campmates.
there was no time for pleasantries between Jane Moore, Dean McCullough, Oti, Tulisa and Danny Jones as they immediately faced a drinking challenge
Oti looked incredible in a form-fitting denim jumpsuit as she ran across the lawn
Tulisa flashed her abs in a white crop top that she paired with embellished cargo pants
She looked in high spirits as she cheered on her fellow teammates
Tulisa grabbed a red flag from one of the crew as she completed her sprint down the hill
She made it to the chopper in one piece ahead of taking on her skydive
The parachutees ran to greet their campmates on the beach, with Tulisa seen beaming and looking gorgeous in a white cropped t-shirt.
Coleen meanwhile was ready for jungle life, casually dressed in a green combat trousers and a tight white vest.
There was some drama though amid the friendly scenes as Loose Women star Jane Moore’s jump went drastically wrong.
The ITV star, 62, ended up landing a quarter of a mile down the beach, landing on holiday makers.
She was unharmed and was seen walking toward her intended landing sport where she was consoled by her campmates.
After their dramatic arrival the celebs will head into camp where more challenges await.
This year’s campmates will need to bring their A-game from the get-go, as they prepare for an epic race called Snakes & Leaders to kickstart their jungle journey.
Promising to be the most competitive launch ever, the campmates will be instructed to pair up and partake in a number of challenges, competing against their fellow campmates in a bid to cross the finish line first.
It’s all to play for, as throughout the challenges there will be plenty of opportunities to overtake and fight to the finish.
The winning pair will be awarded the coveted title of the first leaders of camp, they’ll be exempt from any chores, will get to sleep in the Leaders’ lodge, and run the camp exactly the way they’d like.
Jane couldn’t contain her facial expressions as she sprinted to the chopper in a jumpsuit
Danny looked jubilant as he sprinted down the hill with his arms in the air
Dean was also good at keeping up as he ran along the grounds
Ant and Dec were watching on in amusement as the celebs kicked off the challenge
The group were flown to Byron Bay where they completed a parachute jump
Coleen Rooney headed up the group waiting on the beach and was joined by Melvin Odoom, Barry McGuigan, GK Barry and Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall
The luxurious Leaders’ Lodge boasts two comfy beds with mattresses, shelter from the rain, as well as plush duvets and pillows guaranteed to keep them warm and snug during their jungle stay.
The notorious camp leader chair has also transformed this year, with two red leatherbound seats for the two equal leaders of camp, working closely together at all times to rule and maintain a harmonious camp.
And that’s not all, as always in the jungle, the campmates should expect the unexpected as there’s a hidden twist guaranteed to shake things up which will unlock more power and additional perks than ever before for the camp leaders.
The challenge revelation comes after on Wednesday hosts Ant and Dec couldn’t contain their excitement as they fell to the floor after casting their eyes on the jungle for the first time this year.
While rumours have swirled for months about the stars set to be jetting to Australia for a three-week stay in the rat-infested camp, first look snaps earlier this week gave fans a full glimpse at the lineup.
However, there are two names noticeably absent from the confirmed lineup, hinting that they are going to be late additions to the camp.
Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles are also set to take part in the show, and are expected to be heading into the camp later in the series.
I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP
OTI MABUSE
Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt
AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: Professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: McFly singer
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.
GK BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: TikTok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULLOUGH
ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.
Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.
JANE MOORE
Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.
Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.
COLEEN ROONEY
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street
AGE: 42
OCCUPATION: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.