I’m a Celebrity live: Maura Higgins enters the jungle as Dean McCullough gets punished over contraband
‘Love Island’ star Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles have joined the jungle in style
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Your support makes all the difference.The I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! cast have been busy welcoming their two new campmates to jungle life.
Love Island favourite Maura Higgins and broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles made a dramatic entrance on Thursday’s episode (21 November).
That said, the pair are not quite roughing it like the rest. Instead, they’re being treated to mugs of tea, bubble baths, and fluffy robes – unbenownst to their fellow stars, one of whom Higgins has a surprising and potentially awkward connection with.
Also during the episode, Coleen Rooney opened up about her relationship with Wayne Rooney and appeared to address his “difficult” cheating scandals in the past.
Among this year’s contestants are Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall and Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse. Others include McFly singer Danny Jones, Barry McGuigan and Rooney, who is the show’s highest-paid star in its history.
New episodes of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! air on ITV1 and ITVX every night at 9pm.
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OK, another 22-odd hours to go until I’m a Celebrity returns then. Here’s a look back at some of the biggest talking points of the evening.
First off, we had Tulisa opening up about her life “falling apart” during the “fake Sheikh” sting...
I’m a Celeb: Tulisa Contostavlos says her ‘life fell apart’ after ‘Fake Sheikh’ setup
Singer was arrested and faced years in prison during the ordeal
Reverend Coles, too, has spoken ahead of his late arrival in the jungle.
“I have flown in from Brazil and the Amazon to do this, as I have been giving some talks there,” he said. “It’s a tougher gig being the late entrant as you already have some groups forming. And I am nervous of getting in there and not recognising people. You could be talking to the most famous influencer in the world and not know who it is. So that will be tricky.
“I am also worried about how I am going to cope with educating myself on 500 calories a day. Five hundred calories is normally elevenses for me! But at least having been in Brazil and the Amazon, I will be jungle ready. There is both trepidation and anticipation, but I accepted the offer because this is my kind of thing. I do know Ant and Dec too - Dec and I share a love of sausage dogs! We’ve swapped pictures before of our sausage dogs.”
“It is quite scary going in later,” Higgins said, ahead of her entry into the jungle. “They have all met and got to know each other. It’s never easy being the newbie, but I am not a shy person, so I feel like I will be fine. It will be nice to bring some energy to the camp.”
“My family are very, very excited,” she added. “They have told me to come back with a crown. How would I feel to win? It would be absolutely incredible and who doesn’t want to be the Queen of the Jungle?! But I’m definitely not going to go in with that expectation with my fears. My fears might get in the way!”
With the episode’s final throes, it announces the impending arrival of two new contestants into the jungle!
We got a brief glimpse of them too – enough to make out that it’s going to be Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles.
Read more:
Two new stars enter the I’m a Celeb jungle
Celeb said she didn’t want to be ‘the biggest wimp in the camp’
The votes are in, and the next trial contestant has been named... it’s Dean again!
Safe to say he doesn’t look thrilled...
Really moving moment too as Oti tearfully talks about her brother, who died by suicide when he was 16.
“I don’t think young boys tend to talk that much and the suicide rate is so high in young men especially, so I think it’s important that you keep telling people to talk about it,” the TV star said.
Opening up about her own experience, she shared: “I had a brother who committed suicide when he was 16 and I think if he had spoken to someone about what he was feeling, it would’ve been a different turnout.”
Hailing from South Africa, Mabuse said that the situation was made more complicated by cultural expectations.
“Especially in our culture, we don’t really open up,” she said. “Every year we celebrate his birthday, but it’s the people that are still left with the aftermath that feel it every single day and you have to go out in the world and be strong and happy and bubbly and positive, but it’s tough.”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Read more:
I’m a Celeb star Oti Mabuse opens up about brother who died by suicide
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge said her brother died when he was 16
Danny speaking about his struggles with anxiety, admitting he has been in therapy since he was 19.
He explained, “It’s because I’m always constantly worrying, but that’s what I’m working on.”
Read more:
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