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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Mark Jefferies

First words from I'm A Celeb stars as 'tougher challenges' push them to limit

They may have already tackled the trials - but some of the most memorable campmates from I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! will be left shouting and screaming in South Africa.

The new version of the show kicks off on next Monday and ITV bosses insist the challenges are "bigger and tougher" to push the famous faces to the limit.

A spokesman added: "South Africa is an even harder proposition which will push them to their limits and test them like never before. The environment is harsher and more unforgiving."

Despite all of this, when the contestants gave interviews before the show was filmed, most were looking forward to the adventure.

Helen Flanagan said: "It will also be really nice to see Ant & Dec again in a funny sort of way!”

And Carol Vorderman said: "I can’t wait to take part in this new series. I loved everything about I’m A Celebrity."

More famous faces are expected to join camp once the show kicks off, but here, the initial nine contestants talk about facing their hopes and fears and even romances in South Africa.

The challengers are 'tougher' (ITV)
The spin-off series returns next week (ITV)

Amir Khan

Amir Khan overcame his fear of spiders on the show (ITV)

Age: 36

Famous For: Being a boxing world champion

Camp Highlight: Living in camp, making new friends, and having the best experience ever.

What I learnt about myself: It helped me overcome my phobia of spiders and snakes. It also made me tougher as a person and I’m determined this time not to be soft when it comes to the Trials!

Jungle quote: “The South African jungle is different to Australia. You’ve got lions, leopards and goodness knows what. Imagine standing in front of them?! It’s going to require more strength to block out your emotions when you are feeling scared. It will be harder, but I think I will cope well because I am going in knowing Australia helped me overcome a lot of things.”

Jordan Banjo

Jordan Banjo is returning to the show (ITV)

Age: 30

Famous For: Diversity Dancer and Radio DJ

Camp highlight: Meeting the other celebrities in camp. My biggest worry was what they would be like and I knew if there was any friction, it would make it tougher. But in our year, we all got on so well and I made some genuine friends who I still love talking to now.

What I learnt about myself: Doing IAC made me grateful for the time I get to spend with my family and friends. I am around them every single day and it made me realise how super lucky I am to be able to do so.

Jungle quote: “Anybody who goes on something and says they don’t want to win is a liar. To win would be nice but to go back is a win too. You grow up watching I’m A Celebrity and there are so many people I would like to be with in the camp.”

Helen Flanagan

Helen is determined to try harder during the trials (ITV)

Age: 32

Famous For: Soap actor

Camp highlight: Life in camp. I got on well with everyone and I was never bored because I had to do a Trial every day! I enjoyed chatting to everyone.

What I learnt about myself: I am not sure really but I am determined to try harder at the trials.

Jungle quote: “It’s going to be different. I was only 22 back then and I am 32 now. I have grown up a lot and I’ve had three children and I’ve gone through three labours! I won’t not finish the trials because my mindset will be very different this time around.”

Carol Vorderman

Carol learnt that she could get drunk after drinking just one glass of wine (ITV)

Age: 62

Famous For: TV Host

Camp highlight: Being around the most amazing group of people. We’ve still got a WhatsApp group!

What I learnt about myself: I learnt I can get drunk on one glass of wine! We had a party at the Jungle Arms and it was one of the best parties I’ve ever been to!

Jungle quote: “I went to South Africa when I was 19. I met the first love of my life when I was working on an engineering construction site. My boss was 24 and we fell in love. His next job was in Botswana and I flew over. There were giraffes running around and I swam with Great White Sharks. I’ve not been on a safari for 40 years and I can’t wait now to do the Trials. I will try everything and I will try my absolute best.”

Fatima Whitbread

Fatima's camp highlight was the constant laughter (ITV)

Age: 62

Famous For: Olympic athlete

Camp highlight: I was constantly laughing in camp. Crissy Rock was one of our campmates and I also had a schoolgirl moment when Peter Andre jumped out of a box!

What I learnt about myself: I learnt a lot during my time in the camp. As a mum, you forget about yourself and the camp made me realise I liked myself.

Jungle quote: “I’ve never had the opportunity of an eating and drinking Trial. If that Trial came up and I was put forward, I would do it. I am not sure I would like the gagging though!”

Paul Burrell

Paul wants to help dads who may be struggling with their sexuality (ITV)

Age: 64

Famous For: Former royal butler

Camp highlight: Surviving to the end of the show and sitting on a log with Joe Pasquale waiting for the winner to be announced. I had it in my head the public didn’t like me and so to find out you were liked was a huge boost.

What I learnt about myself: I learnt to be a good listener and I think it has helped me through the years.

Jungle quote: "It is going to be different because I am a different person now. I was a married guy with two kids and now 19 years on, I am a married man again but this time around, I have a husband. I have many more things to talk about in South Africa. I want to be there for all the dads who are struggling with their sexuality.”

Phil Tufnell

Phil says he doesn't have a gameplan for the show (ITV)

Age: 56

Famous For: Ex-England cricketer

Camp highlight: Winning! I never went in with a game plan and we were all naive back then but it was great to win.

What I learnt about myself: To appreciate everything. The first thing I did after being in the jungle was to get on a beautiful soft bed and have a bath!

Jungle quote: “I never had a game plan the first time around and I won’t this time either. You are older and wiser and I am sure there will be some funky old Trials to get my head around."

Janice Dickinson

Janice is hoping that she can get along with her fellow campmates (ITV)

Age: 68

Famous For: Supermodel

Camp highlight: The camaraderie - it was great getting to meet everyone on the show, we had lots of different personalities in the camp.

What I learnt about myself: I learnt that I could be ok with myself, if things were happening on one side of the camp I would just pick myself up and move. I found out it was ok to be by yourself, although you never know what creepy crawlies are going to crawl out from a log. You never know what’s going to jump up and bite your ass.

Jungle quote: “I’ve been to South Africa before, Cape Town and Johannesburg when I was a model. This will be a new experience for me. I’m coming back for more fun, more camaraderie and to see if I can get along with everyone.”

Shaun Ryder

Legendary musician Shaun Ryder said he didn't want to leave the jungle the first time around (ITV)

Age: 60

Famous For: Happy Mondays frontman

Camp highlight: Jumping out of the plane in Australia and skydiving. I was really scared but I got such a great buzz from doing it!

What I learnt about myself: I don’t learn anything because I don’t retain anything. That’s my problem!

Jungle quote: “I didn’t want to go home the last time I did I’m A Celebrity in 2010. I could have stayed another year in Australia. I loved living outside in the camp and I had a proper laugh with my fellow celebrities. I know going to South Africa will be a great adventure. I can’t wait to do it.”

* I'm A Celebrity...South Africa starts Monday 24th April at 21.00 on ITV1 & ITVX.

* Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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