Fans of I'm a Celebrity are getting their fix of the jungle action earlier in the year with a host famous faces from over the past 20 years gathering in South Africa instead of Australia. Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan is one of the all-star line-up taking part in the new I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here! spin-off.
Helen, from Bury, is competing with campmates including Bolton boxer Amir Khan, TV presenter Carol Vorderman and fomer royal butler Paul Burrell in a bid to be crowned the first I’m A Celebrity Legend. Helen, 32, who first took part in the 12th series of I'm A Celebrity back in 2012, left viewers gobsmacked with her first challenge which saw the Rosie Webster actress leap across giant balls suspended in the air as part of the Newton's Cradle challenge to grab a star.
After letting campmates Phil Tufnell and Fatima Whitbread go first, she took a breath and seriously impressed with her pluck despite not reaching the star at the end in Monday's launch episode. Telling cricket star Phil and ex-javelin thrower Fatima that she was having a 'mind chat' she reassured herself while suspended in the air: "You are safe. You are calm, you can do this. Wait for the wind to calm down and jump."
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During her first rocky jungle stint 10 years ago, Helen was voted by the British public to take part in seven bushtucker trials in a row. @Amber_louisex3 tweeted: "Well done helen! Different approach this time round! Mind over matter." And @scanv8 praised: "Amazing what ten years has done to helen's balls."
But some viewers were confused as Helen shared a selfie on Instagram taken this morning of herself and her three children. "Chaos everyday," she captioned the snap as fans realised the show was pre-recorded.
Danielleo90 asked: "Was the jungle pre recorded? Like you aren’t actually in there right now." rogersmaddiex said: "If it’s pre recorded does that mean we can’t vote for trials I’m so confused." And dawnkacey complained: "It's not worth watching if it's not live. All the celebrities are home now. Carol vorderman was doing a live last night from her house."
Unlike the usual versions of I'm A Celebrity the new spin-off, with hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly back the helm, is actually pre-recorded. It was filmed in September last year. @_HerrDavid_tweeted: "Is it just me that is a bit 'meh' as it isnt "live"? and @DOneDTwo8 agreed: "It’s a meh, from me." And @CtTweets08 said: "Shame it's not live but it'll be entertaining. I hope..."
Other viewers said it felt 'weird' to be watching in April instead of the usual November in the run up to Christmas. @RSVPMagazine said: "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here in April, this feels weird. Why do we have a sudden feeling we should be Christmas shopping. "
Ahead of the episode being screened Helen took to Instagram Stories to say: "The trail I did to get to the jungle was horrendous. I thought I was in a weird dream. I could never do it again."
Later she shared an adorable video of herself settling down to watch with her eldest daughter Matila. Helen looked emotional and gave Matilda a hug as she proudly told her mum: "You're brilliant." And Helen was joined for I'm a Celeb viewing by her brother-in-law.
Helen left Corrie in 2018 to go on maternity leave. She shares three children with footballer Scott Sinclair - Matilda, seven, Delilah, four and two-year-old son Charlie.
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