Crying celebrities, creepy crawlies and the dreaded Bushtucker trials… oh yes, it’s that time of year when I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here is back dominating our TV screens and newspapers.
The ITV series, fronted by the ever-popular Ant and Dec, has returned with record viewing figures as more than 11million people tuned in to watch the latest band of famous names head into the Aussie jungle.
The new series features Stockport-based Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington representing Greater Manchester in all its sporting glory.
And to celebrate the determination of one of our favourite Olympians, MM has picked out the top five jungle contestants to hail from Greater Manchester and relives their best moments.
5. Simon Webbe
Blue boyband member Simon Webbe finished fifth in series eight of I’m a Celebrity in 2008 – won by former Eastenders actor Joe Swash.
The series was dominated by the antics of David van Day who Simon described on ITV as ‘a nice guy underneath it all’ but believed he was there ‘to play the game’.
Webbe, from Moss Side, entered the jungle with a fear of spiders and water and faced both of those fears in the three bush tucker trials he did in the jungle.
“The trials were a lot harder than I thought they would be,” Webbe said.
“I’m still terrified of spiders.”
4. Bobby Ball
The Oldham born comedian was a late entry into the jungle, going in with his famed comedy partner Tommy Cannon.
While Cannon was the first celebrity to be evicted at the hands of the public vote, Ball lasted until day 16, finishing fifth in the series won by Carol Thatcher.
Ball only took part in two trials in the jungle but notably was at the centre of a number of incidents in camp.
The comedian kicked off at camp leader Sheree Murphy when she told him to clean up his stuff – leading to accusations that the comedian was a chauvinist.
“That’s out of order – back off right here,” Ball fumed.
“I’m Northern me. I’ve got a wife who’s never spoken to me like that in her life.
“You can’t do right in this pigging camp. Try and beat us – we’re the boys. That’s all I’ll say.”
Ball also entertained the camp with a drag act during his time on I’m a Celebrity – making for pretty shocking viewing.
3. Antony Cotton
Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton was a big personality on I’m a Celebrity in 2011, finishing in fourth place.
The Bury-born actor was noted in the jungle for his scraps with former Olympian Fatima Whitbread and for being part of a divisive mission to disrupt the camp.
One confrontation with Whitbread occurred when she challenged Cotton over his persistent swearing, saying: “I just find it hard to swallow all the time – I’m just asking you to not keep swearing.”
Cotton retorted: “And I’m asking you to mind your own business.”
Cotton was frequently found ranting in the jungle and was particularly unhappy about his participation in the series of secret missions.
He and eventual winner Dougie Poynter were charged with a number of tasks in order to win prizes from loved ones back home for their campmates.
These included taking clean clothes from their campmates and dirtying them plus taking everyone’s towels and hiding them.
Cotton was not happy, ranting: “You can’t do it. I’ve worked my arse off in here for 17 days and I’m not having fun. I’m not in the mood. It’s futile.”
He took part in four bush tucker trials, including the infamous ‘Celebrity Cyclone’ task as part of the final four contestants.
2. Helen Flanagan
The Bury born former Coronation Street actress dominated the 2012 series for the opening couple of weeks due to her many issues with the bush tucker trials.
The public voted for her to do seven trials in succession and was the first I’m a Celebrity contestant ever not to win any stars in her first five trials.
In her first trial, Flanagan was buried underground with jungle creatures and asked to last ten minutes to win meals for camp. She lasted ten seconds.
For her fifth trial, Flanagan couldn’t decide whether or not to take part in ‘rodent run’ before deciding to try.
As soon as the claxon sounded, she uttered her famous words, ‘Guys I don’t think I can do this’, and gave up.
A remarkable turnaround occurred in her next trial, where Flanagan not only competed but managed to win all 12 stars available.
The public were not as keen to vote for Flanagan when it came to celebrities to keep in camp however, with the actress and model finishing seventh.
While in the jungle, Flanagan caused great amusement with her fellow campmates due to her apparent inability to look after herself.
To their amazement she admitted she has a spray tan every two nights and also can’t blow-dry her own hair.
In the jungle Flanagan had something of a disaster when applying fake tan, which saw usually diplomatic and sympathetic series winner Charlie Brooks unable to stop herself from commenting.
“She looks like an oompa loompa,” Brooks said.
1. Shaun Ryder
The Happy Mondays front man made a huge impression on the I’m a Celebrity jungle in 2010 seeing him finish second to winner Stacey Solomon.
The standout feature of his time in the jungle was his swearing. By the end of the series his swearing count stood at more than 5,000.
He clashed significantly with nutritionist Gillian McKeith who herself found fame due to her histrionics around the bush tucker trials – including fainting.
Ryder and McKeith did not see eye to eye, with the Salford-born musician not shy of revealing his true feelings.
“You’re a fucking irritating woman,” he blasted.
“Not only are you full of bullshit, you’re a lying bullshitter.”
It wasn’t just his swearing that made Ryder standout in camp. He was also extremely successful at the four bush tucker trials he competed in – winning every star available on each occasion.
His most notable moment came when a snake bit him during one of the camp challenges.
The snake clamped onto Ryder’s hand and wouldn’t let go, drawing a significant amount of blood.
Rather than show any pain, Ryder proceeded to launch a verbal tirade at the reptile.
“Oh you dirty bastard I will pull you out,” he shouted.
“If that weren’t someone’s animal I’d have fucking smashed it.”
Ryder also stood out for the use of his unusual phrase, ‘you’re kettling my swede’, in reference to someone who was getting on his nerves.
Image courtesy of ITV via YouTube, with thanks.
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