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I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! kicked off in shocking fashion on Friday as one star pulled out of the very first trial of the series.
In scenes that will air during Sunday’s launch show, comedian Babatúndé Aléshé was unable to confront his fear of heights and was unable to take part in the Walk The Plank trial which traditionally kicks off the series.
As the show returned to Australia for the first time since the Covid pandemic so did the terrifying Walk The Plank challenge that saw campmates dangling in the air atop a 32-storey building in the Gold Coast.
In a new twist this year there was the addition of a third platform for celebrities to dare the skywalk and the task was renamed The Ledge.
Terrifying: I’m A Celebrity’s Babatúndé Aléshé pulled out of the first challenge while Charlene White plummeted off a 52-storey building in the terrifying Walk The Plank trial that will be shown on Sunday’s launch show episode
Previous years have seen celebrities compete for more luxury when they enter camp by walking towards the star at the end of the platform, leading many stars to face their crippling fear of heights.
Yet Babatúndé, 34, fell at the first hurdle and after a 45 minute deliberation was unable to complete the task, despite watching Jill Scott and Charlene White take on the challenge.
An onlooker told The Sun: ‘Babetunde was really struggling during The Ledge and everyone felt for him.
‘Jill and Charlene were being really encouraging of Babetunde but to no avail. He stood there thinking and willing himself to do it for almost an hour but in the end he chose not to do it.’
On the move: As the show returned to Australia for the first time since the Covid pandemic so did the terrifying Walk The Plank challenge that saw campmates dangling in the air atop a 32-storey building in the Gold Coast
Watching on: Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly seemed sympathetic to the celebrities plight as they took on the challenge, but Babatúndéé, 34, fell at the first hurdle and after a 45 minute deliberation was unable to complete the task
Like previous years, the celebrities will be split into two teams where they will compete for the chance to spend their first night in a slightly better camp than the others.
It came hours after Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly arrived in style to greet this year’s 10 celebrity campmates – who will be tasked with a record 24 gruelling trials in the jungle.
The Geordie duo appeared in high spirits as they waved to stars such as Olivia Attwood, Jill Scott and Chris Moyles from a small wooden speed boat.
Take the plunge: In a new twist this year there was the addition of a third platform for celebrities to dare the skywalk and the task was renamed The Ledge – with Charlene and Babatunde on the platform
Eeek! Charlene and Jill were flung off the edge of the platform after showcasing their nerves of steel on the walk
An onlooker revealed: ‘Babetunde was really struggling during The Ledge and everyone felt for him. ‘Jill and Charlene were being really encouraging of Babetunde but to no avail. He stood there thinking and willing himself to do it for almost an hour’
Also at the luxury villa waiting for Ant and Dec was comedian Babatúndé Aléshé – as the show is set to make an epic return to Australia for the first time since the Covid pandemic.
The celebrities looked uneasy as they spotted the presenting duo approach the shore while they enjoyed their last last luxury meal before heading into camp.
Leading this year’s lineup are rugby star Mike Tindall, 80s hitmaker Boy George, Love Island star Olivia and DJ Chris, with the stars donning their best jungle attire for first look snaps ahead of the show’s return on November 6.
Here comes trouble: Ant and Dec arrived in style to greet this year’s 10 celebrity campmates – who will be tasked with a record 24 gruelling trials in the Australian jungle
Stars: The Geordie duo appeared in high spirits as they waved to stars such as Olivia Attwood, Jill Scott and Chris Moyles from a small wooden speed boat
Beaming: Ant and Dec looked effortlessly cool as they donned black sunglasses while arriving on the boat
Tough: ITV bosses have confirmed to MailOnline that this year’s show, which returns to Australia for the first time in two years following the global pandemic on Sunday, will be the toughest ever for celebrities – with 24 trials to face in 21 shows
Coming soon: The new series of I’m A Celebrity, the first to air in Australia since 2019, has been hotly anticipated
Joining them will be Hollyoaks star Owen Warner, Loose Women’s Charlene White, A Place In The Sun presenter Scarlette Douglas, Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver, comedian Babatúndé Aléshé and retired England Lioness Jill Scott.
It was revealed on Tuesday that Matt Hancock is also heading to the Australian jungle as a surprise late arrival.
The MP, who quit as Health Secretary after cheating on his wife during the pandemic with long-term aide Gina Coladangelo, will become the 12th celebrity heading Down Under.
After playing a central role in coordinating the government’s response to Covid, Mr Hancock’s political career has flagged of late, and last week he was snubbed by Rishi Sunak after the new PM dodged his attempt at a greeting outside Tory HQ.
Bond boys: Ant and Dec were spotted speeding towards the mansion on the boat to greet this year’s celebrities
Shocked: The celebrities looked uneasy as they saw the presenting duo approach the shore as they enjoyed their last luxury meal before heading into camp
Hosts: Show hosts Ant and Dec will broadcast live from their tree house, which has been rebuilt and modernised this year
Arrival: Ant donned a black and white patterned shirt, while Dec wore a navy blue shirt as they walked off the pier to meet the celebs
Exciting: Later in the day, the stars were then spotted heading off to the helicopters that will fly them into the jungle
Keeping it casual: Olivia Attwood rocked up in a crisp white shirt paired with camouflage print trousers and chunky boots
Jungle fever: Olivia seemed to be feeling the heat and kept hydrated with a small bottle of water
On the move: Chris Moyles was seen making his way to the helicopter alongside members of the production crew
Ready to go: Jill stood out from the crowd in a pair of hot pink trousers, teamed with a black shirt and white Nike trainers
Having fun: Jill and Babatunde had a quick run around in between shooting scenes
Nervous: Retired England Lioness Jill Scott appeared anxious as she was helped into the chopper
Task: Jill sat with her headphones on staring ahead while the camera crew caught her reaction on film
He becomes the latest in a long list of political figures to try their luck on the ITV reality show, including MPs Nadine Dorries and Lembit Opik, and Boris Johnson’s father, Stanley
ITV bosses have confirmed to MailOnline that this year’s show, which returns to Australia for the first time in two years following the global pandemic on Sunday, will be the toughest ever for celebrities – with 24 trials to face in 21 shows.
Speaking from the Australian jungle, executive producer, Olly Nash, said: ‘We are filming more than we’ve ever done before and there will be more elements over more shows.
She’s ready! The former football star couldn’t contain her excitement as she prepared to board the chopper
Coming soon: Speaking from the Australian jungle, executive producer, Olly Nash, said: ‘We are filming more than we’ve ever done before and there will be more elements over more shows’
Iconic: Once again, Ant and Dec will be hosting the series, and have already been spotted arriving on the Gold Coast to commence filming
‘In Wales we couldn’t really do stuff that was outside because of the weather and the big storm but this year we can be outside again.
‘We have more big rigs; we have more big, slimy, dirty trials, and a lot more competitive trials. There are 24 this year and there are 21 shows.
‘On the last day the final three each take on a trial. Cyclone is absolutely back.’
Cast: (L-R) Mike Tindall, Owen Warner, Olivia Attwood, Charlene White, Boy George, Scarlette Douglas, Sue Cleaver, Chris Moyles, Babatúndé Aléshé and Jill Scott have been unveiled as the I’m A Celebrity 2022 lineup
Unexpected: It was revealed on Tuesday that Matt Hancock is also heading to the Australian jungle as a surprise late arrival
Show hosts Ant and Dec will broadcast live from their tree house, which has been rebuilt and modernised this year, and the famous red bridge, where celebrities reunite with friends and family after being booted off the show, also returns.
The I’m A Celeb set has been under construction since August and a total of 700 people, 600 of which are Australian locals, work on the show.
But bosses say the expense of building the camp doesn’t compare to the cost of running the series every day for a month live from Australia.
I’m A Celebrity begins on Sunday, November 6 2022 at 9pm with a 105 minute special. It will then air every night of the week and both weekend nights after the launch – all at 9pm.
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