The UK’s favourite survival reality TV show returned on Sunday night.
And the first instalment of the 21st series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! was not short of jaw-dropping challenges as ten new celebrities threw themselves into the gruelling experience.
Filmed for the second consecutive year at Gwrych Castle, Abergele in North Wales, the campmates’ previous life of luxury soon became a distant memory as they braced themselves for up for up to three weeks of castle surroundings and Welsh countryside – with the opening challenge seeing Danny Miller thrown from a cliff.
It’s back! The 21st series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! returned on Sunday night – with the opening challenge seeing Danny Miller thrown from a cliff
The first challenge of the series, Walk The Plank, was introduced after the first group of celebrities – broadcaster Louise Minchin, producer Naughty Boy, DJ Snoochie Shy and Danny – landed in a helicopter.
Ant said: ‘This year is going to be tougher than ever, all the celebrities will face gruelling challenges on their way to the Castle to win the keys to the Castle.’
The stars were forced to go head-to-head in a plank challenge, which Ant explained: ‘Between the planks is a stack of lights. The red lights will start to flash and when the green light comes on, you must press the button with your foot. The first celebrity to hit their button will win and the loser will be dropped from their plank.’
The winning team could go on to pick which two celebrities from the other group – comprising of David Ginola, Dame Arlene Phillips, Matty Lee and Kadeena Cox – would represent them in the next challenge.
Fears: The first challenge of the series, Walk The Plank, was introduced after the first group of celebrities – broadcaster Louise Minchin, producer Naughty Boy, DJ Snoochie Shy and Danny landed in a helicopter
Challenge: First up in Walk The Plank was Danny versus Louise. The broadcaster came out on top with the quickest time
Gruelling: Filmed for the second consecutive year at Gwrych Castle, Abergele in North Wales, the campmates’ previous life of luxury soon became a distant memory
Unwell: Danny held back a bout of sickness as they rode in a helicopter
Star: ‘I will be expecting everybody to rally around. And if they don’t, maybe the Dame bit will come out’ Arlene Phillips joked
Honest: Snoochie Shy discussed her nerves and said: ‘I’m quite terrified of a lot of things to be honest – bit worried about bugs going up my vagina!’
Losers would be banished to the Castle Clink, whereas the lucky winning team who retrieved the keys to the castle would have access to the main camp.
First up was Danny versus Louise. The broadcaster came out on top with the quickest time, causing Danny’s plank to drop, leaving him dangling in the air.
Results from the Walk The Plank challenge saw Snoochie’s win against Naughty Boy allow her to join forces with Louise, who collectively chose Kadeena and Matty to join their red team.
Arlene and David joined Naughty Boy and Danny to form the yellow team – the losers.
The battle for the keys continued among the groups, with the red coming up trumps.
New challenges: After landing, hosts Ant and Dec greeted the terrified group, with Ant explaining: ‘This year is going to be tougher than ever’
Girl power: Results from the Walk The Plank challenge saw Snoochie’s win against Naughty Boy allow her to join forces with Louise, who collectively chose Kadeena and Matty to join their red team
Torrential: The challenges got off to a wet and windy start
Emotional: The women were delighted to have won the challenge
Facing her fears: The DJ was overcome with emotion
Team work: Arlene and David joined Naughty Boy and Danny to form the yellow team – the losers
Making bonds: Kadeena Cox and Matty Lee to joined the red team
The final two celebrities – Frankie Bridge and Richard Madeley – were introduced during the final challenge, and the first trial of the series, Turrets of Terror.
The Saturdays singer represented and joined the red team in the deciding trial, whilst the Good Morning Britain host joined the yellow team.
After they raced to scale two giant towers and hang in the air while trying to capture their own keys, covered in bugs, the red team’s Frankie managed to get there first.
Frankie and her teammates got to stay in the castle while the losing yellow team headed to the Castle Clink – the all-new castle jail.
The claustrophobic space has not more than a stone cold floor and basic amenities.
Looking around the space Arlene said: ‘Oh my, we are open to the elements, let’s hope it doesn’t rain.’
Elsewhere on the main camp, Frankie, Louise , Kadeena , Matty and Snoochie walked into Main Camp and excitedly explored.
Oh no: The losing yellow team headed to the Castle Clink – the all-new castle jail. The claustrophobic space has not more than a stone cold floor and basic amenities
Eeek: Elsewhere in the main camp, Frankie, Louise , Kadeena , Matty and Snoochie walked into Main Camp and excitedly explored
Louise was disappointed when she arrived and said: ‘I was hoping for a blazing fire when we walked in. I think I’ve bigged it up in my head haven’t I?!’
Matty lit a fire straight away in the camp when the dinner bell rang and rabbit was delivered, which Kadeena cooked.
Frankie remarked: ‘The dinner actually tasted better than I thought, I do still feel a bit hungry.’
Line-up: The final two celebrities – Frankie Bridge and Richard Madeley – were introduced during the final challenge, and the first trial of the series, Turrets of Terror
Setting: Turrets of Terror was a huge three level structure positioned in front of the majestic Gwrych Castle
Trial: After they raced to scale two giant towers and hang in the air while trying to capture their own keys, covered in bugs, the red team’s Frankie managed to get there first
Trying: The Good Morning Britain host joined the yellow team but they were headed for the Castle Clink – the all-new castle jail
Sneaky: Later on in yellow camp, Naughty Boy was spotted breaking the rules, having snuck in spices to go with their substandard rice and beans
Uh oh: Monday night’s episode will see Danny go head to head with one of the celebs from the main Camp in Dreaded Diner
Later on in yellow camp, Naughty Boy was spotted breaking the rules, having snuck in spices to go with their substandard rice and beans.
‘Before I left, I grinded some spices that could make rice and beans actually taste a bit nice so what I did, I put it in my sock. There’s cumin seeds, cloves, turmeric, coriander seeds. If you could smell this. Wow. And black peppercorns,’ he explained.
Monday night’s episode will see Danny go head to head with one of the celebs from the main Camp in Dreaded Diner.
Viewers were left unimpressed by this year’s lineup, with many taking to Twitter to vent their frustrations, stating that they had ‘no idea’ who the contestants were and that Ant and Dec were the ‘only celebrities’ on the show.
One disgruntled fan wrote: ‘Is it just me or does anyone else think these celebrities are getting worse each year?’
Not into it: ‘Is it just me or does anyone else think these celebrities are getting worse each year?’ one disgruntled fan wrote as many others echoed their opinion
Another echoed: ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here – Is it just me or does anyone else think these celebrities are getting worse each year?’
A third person added: ‘Only celebrities this year are ant & dec apparently,’ while another wrote: ‘I haven’t a clue who these celebrities are like…’
Another viewer joked: ‘Brave move from I’m A Celeb to decide not to get any actual celebrities this year…’
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