I’m a Celebrity 2022 launch episode – live: Stars prepare to enter Australian jungle

Jacob Stolworthy and Isobel Lewis

November 6, 2022 at 3:50 PM·10 min read

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I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! is back.

The popular ITV reality series is returning for its 20th series, which will return to the jungle in Australia for the first time since 2019.

I’m a Celebrity was forced to relocate to Wales due to the pandemic, but this year’s crop of celebrities will be back where the show truly belongs.

This year’s stars include singer Boy George, DJ Chris Moyles, and newsreader and Loose Women star Charlene White.

Controversy rocked the show upon the announcement that disgraced politician Matt Hancock will be entering the series a few days in alongside comedian Seann Walsh.

Follow along with all the live updates from the launch episode, which begins Sunday 96 November) at 9pm on ITV, below.

23:10 , Isobel Lewis

Martin Lewis is not here for these celebrities.

I do roll my eyes when I hear "I don't know what I'm doing here" on #ImACeleb.

It's an entertainment TV booking. You're on there for one or more of...

1) a paycheque
2) to boost your profile
3) to rehabilitate your image

Simples
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) November 6, 2022

22:55 , Isobel Lewis

Wondering how much this year’s campmates are being paid?

How much are this year’s I’m a Celebrity contestants being paid?

22:45 , Isobel Lewis

And that’s the (rather abrupt) end!

Tomorrow night, our VIPs (Olivia, Chris, George, Scarlette) will be taking part in the first trial of the series!

I can’t lie, it’s good to be back.

22:42 , Isobel Lewis

“Mike Tindall is a dragon, bruv.”

Incredible.

22:41 , Isobel Lewis

Jill Scott trying out the hammock and immediately falling onto the floor, Charlene White lighting fire with flint? Is there anything these ladies can’t do?

Jungle VIPs to complete first Bushtucker Trial

22:39 , Isobel Lewis

Well, there you have it. Chris Moyles, Olivia Attwood, Boy George and Scarlette Douglas are united and are doing the first challenge during tomorrow’s show.

But for tonight, they’re slumming it on some mouldy beds – and they don’t look impressed...

22:29 , Isobel Lewis

Still thinking about that spider...

Mike Tindall not being Me 9,469
being fazed by a huge miles away
spider on his head #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/A9JlwJdz3Q
— Skyla (@iamamess_x) November 6, 2022

22:29 , Isobel Lewis

Owen on the other hand... the opposite of chill.

Still, he’s giving it a good go. Reckon he’s gonna be TV gold.

Mike Tindall supremely unfazed by first trial as spider crawls on his head

22:28 , Isobel Lewis

Mike Tindall following in the Jill Scott school of chill – has anybody ever been so chill about a massive spider crawling on their head?

Boy George won’t be happy Mike Tindall stole his spider hat. #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/1xctA3dxyo
— Lee Darling (@LeeDarling_) November 6, 2022

22:25 , Isobel Lewis

Mike, Owen and Sue are doing their first challenges and some incredible quotes so far.

“It’s all bloody entrails” – Sue Cleaver, 2022.

Jill Scott’s odds slashed after impressive first trial performance

22:24 , Isobel Lewis

Apparently I’m not the only one obsessed with Jill Scott.

Ladbrokes have slashed the Lioness’s odds from 11/2 to 5/2, just behind overall favourite Olivia Attwood.

Boy George and Scarlette Douglas second VIPs

22:14 , Isobel Lewis

The public, somewhat predictably, have voted Boy George as the other group’s VIP.

He chooses Scarlette to go with him, meaning the other three are off in their chopper, potentially to do what Babatunde couldn’t do, and complete the high-walk trial.

22:11 , Isobel Lewis

Boy George there, describing Ant and Dec as a “dark cloud of misery”.

Mike Tindall enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

22:11 , Isobel Lewis

Aaaaand rounding out the original line-up, it’s Mike “Her Maj’s grandson-in-law” Tindall.

Who is Mike Tindall? Royal and I’m a Celebrity contestant in profile

22:09 , Isobel Lewis

“She’s from A Place in the Sun.” “Where abouts?”

Incredible.

Scarlette Douglas enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

22:08 , Isobel Lewis

A Place in the Sun’s Scarlette Douglas here next...

Who is Scarlette Douglas? I’m a Celebrity contestant in profile

Owen Warner enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

22:07 , Isobel Lewis

Hollyoaks star Owen Warner joining next with a fun fact about snakes (”they ain’t got legs”).

Who is I’m a Celebrity’s Owen Warner?

Sue Cleaver enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

22:06 , Isobel Lewis

Followed by Corrie’s very own Eileen Grimshaw, Sue Cleaver!

Sue Cleaver: I’m a Celebrity 2022 contestant in profile

Boy George enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

22:04 , Isobel Lewis

Next up, it’s the other five s’lebs. First up, it’s Boy George, who’s reportedly been paid a whopping half a mil to take past.

Boy George: From Culture Club and controversies to I’m a Celebrity 2022

21:59 , Isobel Lewis

Well there’s an unexpected celebrity connection to one of our campmates. Chris Moyles used to be Tom Grennan’s landlord – who knew?

21:54 , Isobel Lewis

God........ that’s really high, isn’t it.........

Olivia Attwood and Chris Moyles to jump out of a helicopter

21:53 , Isobel Lewis

Ahh, so that’s what Jungle VIP means. Chris and Olivia are going to be jumping out of a helicopter at 10,000 feet.

Olivia says she hopes to land with “both boobs” and “all the veneers” still attached, which I think we can all agree with.

21:50 , Isobel Lewis

Quality TV this, Chris Moyles and Olivia Attwood doing prawn voices. Don’t pretend you haven’t missed it.

21:50 , Isobel Lewis

Dan Walker knows what’s up...

Just give Jill Scott the crown already #ImACeleb
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) November 6, 2022

21:43 , Isobel Lewis

This is a Jill Scott stan blog.

jill scott comforting others and doing the skyscraper challenge without any hesitation #imaceleb pic.twitter.com/w3T1IRgnHb
— 🐙 (@ina_ina_inaa) November 6, 2022

21:42 , Isobel Lewis

Has anyone ever looked so chill hanging off a stupidly high building?

Jill Scott clearly has nerves (and a core) of steel.

21:40 , Isobel Lewis

Jill Scott.

Legend.

What can you say?

21:40 , Isobel Lewis

An “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here” after 39 minutes? Is that a new record? Before he’s even in the jungle?

21:37 , Isobel Lewis

Babatunde’s up next and I think Jill Scott might be right. They definitely deserve more than three stars for this.

21:35 , Isobel Lewis

If you’re looking out for Matt Hancock in this episode, he won’t be making an appearance – although Ant and Dec have promised to roll out the “matt” for him when he does arrive.

Here’s everything we know so far about his arrival.

Three stars up for grabs in first challenge

21:28 , Isobel Lewis

If you’re afraid of heights... maybe look away now...

21:25 , Isobel Lewis

Anyone have Olivia Attwood and Chris Moyles forming a weird jungle friendship on their I’m a Celebrity bingo card?

21:23 , Isobel Lewis

VIP, we’ve just been told, actually means Very Isolated Person.

Jill, Charlene and Babatunde are heading off in a chopper for their first challenge – something to do with heights and a glass walkway?

Olivia Attwood named first Jungle VIP

21:20 , Isobel Lewis

Ant and Dec are here and they’re telling this first five that Olivia Attwood has been named Jungle VIP by the public.

She gets to choose another campmate to join her in the VIP section, Attwood goes for Chris Moyles, her close friend for all of 10 minutes.

What awaits the other three, we’re yet to find out.

Babatunde Aléshé enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

21:16 , Isobel Lewis

Rounding out group one, we have Babatunde Aléshé, who says he’s scared of “everything”! A good start!

Followed by him immediately tripping over, which is also a great sign!

Who is Babatunde Aléshé? The comedian and actor joining I’m a Celebrity 2022

Jill Scott enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

21:15 , Isobel Lewis

Lioness legend Jill Scott in next – in a killer pair of trousers, too!

Charlene White is clearly a fan...

Who is Jill Scott? I’m a I’m a Celebrity contestant and Lioness in profile

Charlene White enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

21:13 , Isobel Lewis

Aaaaand it’s Loose Women’s Charlene White next! She says she hates spiders, which seems like foreshadowing...

Who is I’m a Celebrity contestant Charlene White?

Olivia Attwood enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

21:12 , Isobel Lewis

Love Island star Olivia Attwood (my guess for this year’s winner, BTW) is in next!

Who is Olivia Attwood? I’m a Celebrity contestant in profile

Chris Moyles enters I’m a Celebrity 2022

21:11 , Isobel Lewis

First in – it’s Chris Moyles!

Who is Chris Moyles? I’m a Celebrity 2022 contestant in profile

21:06 , Isobel Lewis

Back in Australia – much nicer than Gwrych Castle, isn’t it?

21:03 , Isobel Lewis

And we’re off! Excellent rhinestoned spider hat from Boy George already...

When does I’m a Celebrity end tonight?

20:58 , Isobel Lewis

Tonight’s series opener kicks off in a couple of minutes, but when will the extra-long episode finish?

What time does I’m a Celebrity start and finish tonight?

I’m a Celebrity odds - Mike Tindall the favourite to win before show starts

20:47 , Isobel Lewis

The bookies are already readying their bets on this year’s series – and it looks like it might be a right royal flush...

According to Ladbrokes, Mike Tindall is most likely to be named King of the Jungle, followed by Boy George and Love Island’s Olivia Attwood in close second.

Check out the odds from Ladbrokes below.

I’m a Celebrity winner odds

Mike Tindall: 3/1

Boy George: 4/1

Olivia Attwood: 4/1

Jill Scott: 11/2

Chris Moyles: 8/1

Babatunde Aleshe: 9/1

Owen Warner: 14/1

Seann Walsh: 16/1

Matt Hancock: 16/1

Sue Cleaver: 20/1

Scarlette Douglas: 25/1

Charlene White: 33/1

20:42 , Isobel Lewis

Ever wondered where our former Kings and Queens of the Jungle are now?

Every I’m a Celebrity winner and what they did next

20:35 , Isobel Lewis

Obviously winning the show brings with it fame, glory and the title of King/Queen of the Jungle, but is there another prize too?

How much are this year’s I’m a Celebrity contestants being paid?

20:32 , Isobel Lewis

I’m a Celebrity is back in Australia this winter for the first time since the pandemic began.

With it, come all the animal-based challenges the show is known for – but Peta aren’t happy about it, and have called for Ant and Dec to resign over the Bushtucker Trials.

Peta calls on ‘complicit’ Ant and Dec to resign from I’m a Celebrity

20:17 , Isobel Lewis

Everyone’s been talking about a certain MP who will be joining the jungle as a “bombshell” (not the Love Island type) later in the competition, but who are the 10 stars who will be appearing in the first episode?