I'm A Celeb's two new arrivals confirmed as they threaten to upset the balance in camp
With I'm A Celebrity already proving to be a ratings hit, the latest two celebrities to join the jungle camp have finally been confirmed. Love Islander Maura Higgins and BBC Radio's Reverend Richard Coles were revealed late on Tuesday night (November 19) as the newest campmates, following weeks of rumours of their arrival.
Maura's appearance on the 2024 series has been possibly the worst-kept secrets in the show's history, but she managed to throw people off the scent by taking a last-minute trip to Las Vegas for an influencer trip. Speaking after she finally landed in Oz, she admitted it hadn't been the best preparation. "I have no clue what time it is, I don't know where I am," she said. "In fact, I've done the opposite of preparing myself [for the jungle]. I've tried not to think about it, because when I think about it, I get so much anxiety."
She went on to confess to The Mirror that she felt "like I'm in The Hangover, I've even got the shakes". Maura is the show's second Love Islander to take part, following in the footsteps of Olivia Attwood, who stepped into camp in 2022 but was forced to leave two days later due to medical reasons.
READ MORE: Good Morning Britain halted as Susanna Reid makes 'breaking news' announcement
READ MORE: Maura Higgins reveals truth about Pete Wicks romance as she prepares to enter I'm A Celeb
Maura, who has recently been enjoying a string of dates with Strictly star Pete Wicks, says she wants to make the Love Island fans proud. "I just don't want to let people down, because everyone's been DMing me, saying 'Oh my God, I hope you're doing the show'," she explained. “I don't want to back out of the trials and be the biggest wimp in the camp.” With the camp already seeming well bonded, there's been questions about whether new arrivals might upset the balance.
And while the County Longford born star said she'd matured since her 2019 stint in the Love Island villa, she admitted she still has her "potty mouth". "I'm still the same kind of girl but I'm not going to go in and annihilate anyone," she said.
Joining her as a late arrival is author and BBC Radio 4 host Rev Richard Coles. The former Communards musician is no stranger to reality TV having already taken part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, although he became the second celebrity to be eliminated, aolong with pro Dianne Buswell.
Speaking after landing Down Under, he said he'd been focussing his preparation on limiting his diet, and "trying not to look at nature programs about the horrors of Australia".
On becoming the first vicar in the I'm A Celeb jungle, he added: "I don't think there are many precedents for this, although, vicars have been going into jungles for years and years and years as missionaries."
