Following the success of its debut series in 2023, I’m A Celebrity… South Africa returns for a brand-new series next month on Virgin Media PLAY & Virgin Media One.
The all-star version of the iconic I’m A Celebrity… format will once again bring together some of the most memorable campmates from series gone by, as they return to test themselves in brand new trials and challenges in the South African wilderness.
The award-winning Ant & Dec return as hosts, with the new series featuring a fresh group of returning campmates, spectacular locations within the South African landscape and some of the most epic and extreme trials in I’m A Celebrity… history.
ITV AND ITVX - I'M A CELEBRITY SOUTH AFRICA - Pictured : Hosts Ant & Dec
Campmates have already proved that they can survive the Australian jungle, but this is I’m A Celebrity… on a whole new level, it’s where legends are made. The trials are tougher than ever and with that, so are the stakes. With relentless twists and turns, the campmates will never know what’s coming next. They will be faced with challenges at every turn, quickly learning that with big decisions come even bigger consequences…
There will also be a live show of I’m A Celebrity…Unpacked on Virgin Media PLAY & Virgin Media One straight after the live grand finale broadcast direct from London.
The celebrities returning for the new series are:
Actor & TV presenter - Adam Thomas
Heart radio DJ - Ashley Roberts
TV presenter - Scarlett Moffatt
Former champion boxer - David Haye
Corrie Icon - Beverley Callard
Comedian - Seann Walsh
Pop icon - Sinitta
Olympic legend - Sir Mo Farah
TV personality - Gemma Collins
Actor & DJ - Craig Charles
Ex footballer - Jimmy Bullard
Football manager - Harry Redknapp
Scarlett Moffatt first appeared on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016 during the 16th series, where she famously won the title of Queen of the Jungle.
Scarlett is a British television presenter and media personality who first rose to fame on Gogglebox, before carving out a solo career in TV presenting, including stints on shows like Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
Former Queen of the jungle Scarlett Moffatt admits she is feeling apprehensive about going into camp again, despite winning the series in 2016.
But she says I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! was such a life-changing moment for her that there was no way she could turn the chance down.
Readily admitting she felt ‘overwhelmed’ when she got the call asking her to take part, Scarlett says: “I was a bit overwhelmed. Out of all the people they could pick, I felt grateful that I was even a thought because so many people have done it. I watch the show religiously and I was so happy to be asked."
Scarlett Moffatt - I'm A Celebrity... South Africa - LIFTED ENTERTAINMENT FOR ITV AND ITVX
Seann Walsh joined the 22nd series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2022, finishing in fifth place.
He is a well-known British comedian and actor, celebrated for his stand-up shows and appearances on comedy panel shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats. Walsh gained extra media attention during his jungle stint for being paired with former politician Matt Hancock as a late entry, a surreal and memorable moment for fans.
Four years after he was famously paired with Matt Hancock as a late entry on the 2022 series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! and comedian Seann Walsh admits he still regards it as the most surreal experience of his life.
Roaring with laughter, the TV comic reveals he also continues to get stopped by members of the public who are eager to find out what he really thought of the politician.
And now as he faces the South African jungle, Seann recalls how he could not stop laughing for thirty minutes when he entered camp in Australia and found out his fellow late entry was the former Health Minister.
“People still come up to me and bring up Hancock’s entrance into the show”, he says jovially. “I always tell them that however long it felt like I was laughing on the show, it was actually for longer - about half an hour! It’s the most surreal experience I’ve ever had!”
Seann Walsh, I'm A Celebrity... South Africa - LIFTED ENTERTAINMENT FOR ITV AND ITVX
Beverley Callard appeared on the 20th series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020, coming in tenth place.
She is an English actress best known for her long-running role as Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, a part she played on and off for over three decades. Callard has also appeared in various stage productions and TV dramas, making her a familiar face in British households.
Her time on I’m A Celebrity… brought her a new level of public affection, particularly for her down-to-earth charm and comedic moments during the trials.
Former soap queen Beverley Callard admits she can’t wait to swap the ‘minus one degree’ Welsh castle bedroom for the warm South African jungle, as she prepares to face up to her eating trial phobia once again.
Beverley – who played Coronation Street’s iconic Liz McDonald on and off for 31 years – was part of the first series that took place in a Welsh castle in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. She says she now can’t wait to swap the freezing temperatures there for sunnier climates, but confesses the thought of taking part in the trials again terrifies her.
“I was really flattered when I got the call,” she says. “In fact, I was gobsmacked! But I said ‘yes’ because Wales was so different. We didn’t get to experience the Australian jungle and the bedroom was minus one. To be part of the South Africa jungle is going to be a very different experience.”
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David Haye competed in the 12th series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2012, finishing third.
He is a former professional boxer from the UK and a multiple world champion in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, known for his power and competitive spirit in the ring.
Haye brought his athletic prowess and fearless attitude to the jungle, quickly becoming a fan favourite, and he is returning to the South African series ready to tackle the trials once again.
He was ‘last man standing’ in 2012 and now as former World Champion boxer, David Haye prepares to go into the South African jungle, he reckons nothing will scare him.
Admitting he found the Australian trials easy to tackle, he says his boxing background means nothing terrifies him despite being bitten by a bandicoot during one of the trials first time around.
He says: “When you used to get punched by giant men, a little bandicoot biting your hand isn’t going to bother you too much! I do feel more prepared this time, because I know what to expect, and the trials in Australia weren’t that physical for me.
"So, I’m not worried by the trials in South Africa. A lot of boxers are badly injured, so unless you are going to get savaged by a lion - and I am sure that won’t happen! – how bad can it really be?! Chuck a bunch of cockroaches or spiders over me, I am pretty sure I will be fine.”
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Sinitta was part of the 11th series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2011, being voted out second.
She is an American-British pop singer who rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like So Macho and Toy Boy, as well as a long career in music and TV, including mentoring on The X Factor.
Known for her glamorous image and bubbly personality, Sinitta’s jungle stint was her first reality TV experience in a challenging environment, and she is returning to face her fears and enjoy the South African adventure.
Former 80s pop star Sinitta hopes she will finally conquer her phobia of ‘everything’ despite facing up to her fears during the Australian jungle. Sinitta explains: “It’s really nice I’m A Celebrity… invited me back. During my first time, I got voted to do trial after trial and then I was out. It would be nice to have more time."
"I thought doing the show would cure me of all my phobias, but it didn’t. It desensitised me for a while as I can remember watching a spider crawling across the ground on my last day. Instead of running to the other side of the camp, I just sat and watched it because I had experienced so much."
"But as soon as you get back to the London environment and there is a big spider in the bath, you are cowering again because it’s so unnatural. I’m hoping the South African jungle will cure me of my phobias, because it is quite debilitating being afraid of everything. I’ve been like that since I was six and so it would be incredible to not only not be afraid anymore, but to start to appreciate and like them - that would be a miracle.”
Sinitta - I'm A Celebrity... South Africa - LIFTED ENTERTAINMENT FOR ITV AND ITVX
Sir Mo Farah competed in the 20th series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020, finishing fifth during the Welsh castle edition.
He is a British long-distance runner and one of the UK’s most decorated Olympians, famous for winning double gold medals in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics.
Since retiring in 2023, Farah is embracing new challenges, and his return to the jungle marks his first experience in a traditional tropical setting.
One of Britain’s greatest athletes, Sir Mo Farah is hoping to conquer his fear of snakes and go all the way in the South African jungle to follow in the footsteps of Myleene Klass. Sir Mo – who came fifth when he took part in the Welsh castle series in 2020 – admits it would feel absolutely ‘epic’ if he were to win and be crowned the second I’m A Celebrity Legend.
But the competitive former runner knows he will be tested and confesses the thought of another trial involving snakes will terrify him. In 2020, it was Sir Mo’s wife, Tania, who let slip that he was scared of snakes and he was forced to face the slippery creatures in the castle trials.
“Even speaking about snakes makes me feel terrified,” he says. “There were so many things I was scared of when I did those trials, but it was the snakes that I found the scariest. I am worried about the snakes in the South African jungle.
“At the same time, I would love to win the series. I came fifth last time and that was hard. So if I won the series this time, it would be epic. To have the ‘Legend’ title for I’m A Celebrity… would be on another level!”
Sir Mo Farah - I'm A Celebrity... South Africa - LIFTED ENTERTAINMENT FOR ITV AND ITVX
Ashley Roberts appeared on the 12th series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2012, finishing as runner-up.
She is an American singer and TV personality, best known as a member of the pop group the Pussycat Dolls, and later for her work as a presenter on British television, including Heart Radio.
Roberts’ jungle debut was life-changing, pushing her past her fears and giving her a fresh perspective, and she returns to the South African series bringing the same determination and charisma.
As the 2012 runner-up, Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts readily admits going on I’m A Celebrity… was such a life changing experience that she knew she couldn’t turn down the chance to star in the legends’ series.
And despite feeling very apprehensive about what lies ahead in South Africa, the Heart Radio presenter says facing your fears can be very empowering.
“This show changed my life,” she says. “I’ve lived in the UK ever since I left the jungle 14 years ago and that in itself is amazing. When I got the call, I knew it was going to be nuts again, but what a beautiful gift the programme gave me and so I said ‘yes’. I’m intrigued, interested but also scared to see what I am up against now. But I know doing this show really does make you feel alive and it’s so empowering.”
Ashley Roberts - I'm A Celebrity... South Africa - LIFTED ENTERTAINMENT FOR ITV AND ITVX
