The Exciting Start of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2024
The much-anticipated 2024 season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! kicked off with a bang, offering fans the drama and daring challenges they’ve come to love. Right from the first episode, viewers were treated to a mix of laughter, tension, and jaw-dropping moments. Among the highlights? A particularly stomach-churning challenge that saw Strictly Come Dancing alum Oti Mabuse and N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos sipping on a blended smoothie made of animal parts. Yep, that’s right—this season is not pulling any punches!
A Star-Studded Cast of Contestants
This year’s lineup is nothing short of impressive, featuring an eclectic mix of talent. From Coleen Rooney, the wife of England football legend Wayne Rooney, to boxing icon Barry McGuigan, the camp is bursting with personalities. Add to the mix McFly frontman Danny Jones and Coronation Street star Alan Halsall, and you’ve got a recipe for high-energy drama.
Oti Mabuse, a judge on Dancing On Ice and a former Strictly professional, stole the show early on. She was the first celebrity to arrive at the villa in Sunday’s launch episode, setting the tone for an unforgettable season. Joining her were Tulisa, BBC Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough, Loose Women panellist Jane Moore, and singer Danny Jones, creating a dynamic group ready to tackle the wild.
The First Challenge: Nerves and Gross Cocktails
If you thought this show was about lounging in the jungle, think again. The contestants were thrown into the deep end—literally and figuratively—when hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly announced the season's first big twist. Arriving at the villa in a helicopter, the iconic duo revealed that the group would compete to become the first leaders of the camp.
The catch? They had to down cocktails blended with bull penis, fish eyes, and vomit fruit garnishes. If you’re cringing, you’re not alone. Danny Jones took an early lead, finishing his drink first, followed by Tulisa, Jane, Dean, and Oti. But the gross-out factor was only the beginning. Their rank in the challenge determined the order in which they’d face another adrenaline-pumping task: a skydive from a helicopter.
Forming Teams and Facing Fears
After the skydives, the excitement shifted to a picturesque Gold Coast beach where the remaining contestants awaited. Barry McGuigan, GK Barry (a podcaster and Loose Women panellist), Alan Halsall, BBC Radio 1’s Melvin Odoom, and Coleen Rooney joined the group. This marked the first time the contestants would form pairs and face their next challenge together.
The newly formed teams—McGuigan and Jones, Halsall and Contostavlos, Moore and Barry, McCullough and Rooney, and Odoom and Mabuse—traveled to a river for their next task. Each pair had to reach into ominously named “hell holes” to retrieve keys for their boats. As you’d expect, these holes were crawling with insects, snakes, and other creepy creatures. For the winners, the reward was sweet: a coveted stay in the luxurious leaders’ lodge at the jungle camp.
Coleen Rooney: A Celebrity With a Backstory
Coleen Rooney’s appearance on the show has been a hot topic. Just days before the season premiere, ITVX released her documentary, Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story, diving into her public fallout with Rebekah Vardy. The infamous legal battle between Rooney and Vardy captured headlines in 2022, with a High Court judge ruling in Coleen’s favor.
In a twist of irony—or perhaps just brilliant casting—Coleen is now following in Vardy’s footsteps, literally entering the jungle after her. Vardy, who competed on I’m A Celebrity in 2017, recently commented on Rooney’s participation, saying, “I think she always wanted my life, she’s following in my footsteps.” She added that while she harbors no hard feelings about Rooney joining the show, “the hard feelings are still there for what she caused.”
Rooney, for her part, seems unfazed. “I’ve been in the public eye for over 20 years now,” she said, “and I do think people will get a better idea of what kind of person I am.”
Missing Politicians but Adding Drama
In a notable shift, this season of I’m A Celebrity does not include any politicians, breaking a two-year streak of political participants. Former health secretary Matt Hancock and Reform Party leader Nigel Farage had memorable stints in previous seasons, even making it to the finals. However, there are whispers that Love Island star Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles may join later, keeping fans on their toes.
Why This Season Stands Out
From the gut-wrenching challenges to the dynamic cast, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2024 promises to be a wild ride. The show’s magic lies in its ability to bring together such a diverse group of people and throw them into the most uncomfortable situations imaginable.
Some exciting elements this season:
- High-Stakes Challenges: The opening cocktail task and river adventure have set a thrilling tone.
- Star Power: The mix of athletes, singers, actors, and TV personalities ensures there’s never a dull moment.
- Unexpected Twists: With potential new contestants joining later, the drama is far from over.
Whether it’s Oti Mabuse’s charm, Tulisa’s determination, or Coleen Rooney’s intriguing backstory, each contestant brings something unique to the table. As the days unfold and alliances form (and inevitably break), this season might just go down as one of the most unforgettable in the show’s history.
So, buckle up, grab your snacks, and prepare for the chaos—we’re in for a treat!
Login