{"id":386041,"date":"2026-04-07T08:43:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/386041\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:43:12","slug":"im-a-celebrity-south-africa-confirms-towie-and-red-dwarf-stars-as-late-arrivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/386041\/","title":{"rendered":"I’m a Celebrity… South Africa confirms TOWIE and Red Dwarf stars as late arrivals"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m a Celebrity has confirmed which two huge personalities will be joining former contestants on its second All Stars season<\/a>. A fresh batch of stars that previously competed on the hit ITV reality show<\/a> are heading into camp once more<\/a> for a bid to be crowned the second-ever I’m a Celebrity ‘Legend’. <\/p>\n

When the first season of the spin-off aired in 2023, former Hear’Say singer and TV presenter Myleene Klaas won the top prize, having been runner-up on the main show back in 2006.<\/p>\n

The cast for the second season<\/a> includes the likes of Scarlett Moffatt, Adam Thomas, Harry Redknapp, Beverley Callard, Ashley Roberts, David Haye, and more.<\/p>\n

\"seann<\/p>\n

David Fisher\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 \u2013 including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV+<\/a><\/p>\n

Joining them late around the campfire will be The Only Way Is Essex icon Gemma Collins, and Coronation Street and Red Dwarf star Craig Charles.<\/p>\n

Gemma first appeared on I’m a Celebrity in 2014, tapping out after just 72 hours, alongside Craig, who was also forced to leave early due to the death of his brother, Dean.<\/p>\n

Gemma explained: \u201cGoing on All Stars<\/a> is a real moment for me in my career – it\u2019s redemption. To be able to do this again is the greatest honour ever. <\/p>\n

“I am going to be the best campmate and get those stars. None of us will be starving under my watch.\u201d <\/p>\n

When she got the invitation to star in the latest series, she explained that “her soul told her it was right for her”. <\/p>\n

\"gemma<\/p>\n

Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Related: ITV unveils first look at All Stars I’m a Celeb’s “harder” new series<\/a><\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve never been to South Africa before,” she continued. “I think that is why they made a show on Essex people, because none of us have really left Essex! The fact I am now here is amazing.”<\/p>\n

The reality TV icon added: “I don\u2019t think anyone goes into the jungle going ‘woohoo’. It\u2019s not normal to be faced with animals, but I am going in as Gemma Collins. Gemma Collins is a self-made woman. I have been to hell and back to get to where I am today. I am just looking forward to proving to people I can do it.<\/p>\n

“There is no way I am going to be leaving after 72 hours. I am in it to win it. I am going through to the end. <\/p>\n

“Last time, there were no highlights for me. But I wasn\u2019t the strong, assertive woman I am today, and I\u2019ve got a totally different mindset.”<\/p>\n

Gemma said that if she were lucky enough to win the series, it would be the ultimate pinnacle in her career. <\/p>\n

\"Gemma<\/p>\n

YouTube<\/p>\n

Related: Ant and Dec announce new project set to be “amazing experience”<\/a><\/p>\n

“If I could get crowned the ‘Legend’, I would just feel complete in my life,” she went on. “Me quitting has been a shadow hanging over me. It would be my real redemption moment of my career that I had done this, and nobody could take it away from me.”<\/p>\n

Gemma explained that she was looking forward to “proper chats” with her campmates and to seeing hosts Ant and Dec<\/a> again.<\/p>\n

Actor and DJ Craig, meanwhile, is set to be thrilled to be entering the game after admitting that one of his ideal campmates would be Gemma, as well as his former Corrie co-star Simon Gregson.<\/p>\n

He went on to say that he had a lot of “what ifs” about I’m a Celebrity after leaving his season early due to the shock death of his brother. <\/p>\n

“The death of my brother, Dean, changed my life the last time I was on I\u2019m a Celebrity… I was 50 at the time, my brother was 52, I had been in Corrie for 10 years, and I came in to do the jungle, then Dean passed away,” he recalled. <\/p>\n

\"craig<\/p>\n

Dave Hogan\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

“It made me re-evaluate things. I just thought if that had happened to me, would I be happy with what I\u2019d achieved? I came up with the answer, and it was \u2018no\u2019. <\/p>\n

“I had been in Corrie for ten years, and I felt in a rut. I was really enjoying my time in the Australian jungle, and it got sadly cut short. I knew I wanted to have some new adventures after that. <\/p>\n

“But since I left, there have been years of \u2018What ifs?\u2019 It\u2019s nice to put that to bed.”<\/p>\n

He also said it was only now that he had the strength to return to the show, though it had felt “bittersweet” at first.<\/p>\n

Craig admitted: “In the first few years, I couldn\u2019t watch the show. It made me sad, and it opened a world of loss.<\/p>\n

\"Craig<\/p>\n

Rex Shutterstock<\/p>\n

“Every year it came around, I would feel a sense of loss and a feeling of what might have been – both for my brother and for me. He was only 52, and he would have been 63 now, which is no age. <\/p>\n

“But that feeling has decreased over the years, and the last few years I have been able to watch it again without feeling the pain and the grief. And so, when this came round, it was at the right time. I feel strong and confident enough to face it again and have a laugh!”<\/p>\n

Speaking about Dean, he added: “I found out when I got back for the funeral that after the first episode, he turned to his wife and said: ‘He is going to win that’. But sadly, Dean never woke up, and so hopefully I will make him proud.”<\/p>\n

However, Craig isn’t expecting to win, joking that he had “nothing to offer” and admitting he’s scared of heights and creepy crawlies. <\/p>\n

“I can\u2019t wait to get going now. I\u2019ve been there once before, and it is such a beautiful and amazing country,” he continued. <\/p>\n

“It is great to be back, and it\u2019s so different to the UK. I have got a little bit of fear, but I am also excited. I don\u2019t want to let anyone down, though – and I don\u2019t want to come across as a decrepit old fart!” <\/p>\n

I’m a Celebrity… South Africa<\/a> season 2 premiered tonight (6 April) on ITV1 and ITVX, with I’m a Celebrity… Unpacked airing afterwards on ITV2 and ITVX, hosted by Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers.<\/p>\n

The new edition of Living Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Harry Styles, is here! Buy Harry Styles in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Lettermark\"<\/p>\n

Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy
\nRebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
\nHer particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
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