'FBI-like' process I'm A Celeb campmates have to go through before entering the jungle

Former I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! campmates have revealed what things are really like before they entered the jungle.

The popular ITV reality show has been underway for over a week now, and we've already seen the likes of Dean McCullough sneak tea bags in and get grief from Ant McPartlin for his Bushtucker Trial attempts, a hilarious nickname given to Coleen Rooney and frustration from fans over the same campmates being voted to take part in trials.

But there's still about two more weeks to go in 2024's edition of the well-loved TV series, and a lot more disgusting animal bits to be eaten.

In the age of social media, it seems like we know more than ever about I'm a Celeb, with former contestants lifting the lid on what it's like in the camp, and how the setup really is.

But what about the things that happen before the show starts shooting?

A couple of former campmates have revealed all to Metro on what they experienced before they were thrown into the jungle.

Jack Quickenden, the runner-up in the 2014 edition of the show, and AJ Pritchard, who entered the Welsh castle in 2020, recalled what preceded their time on the show.

Changing hotels

Quickenden said to Metro that the team's treatment of him was like he was 'in the FBI' as they were 'stealth' in trying to avoid any media attention.

In fact, he revealed that they changed his hotel midway through his nine-day stay to throw them off his scent, as he added: "They want to keep you under wraps and they don’t want the press knowing who you are or getting a photo of you. So it’s all very like stealth mode."

The 'Justin Bieber' treatment

The former X-Factor star further admitted that he was loving it in the five-star hotels we was staying in, saying that he was 'overwhelmed' about going into the jungle anyway, but the fancy hotels added to the feeling.

"I was like 'what is going on?' I felt like Justin Bieber. It was great." he said. "I could have just lived in the suites for the whole time. You didn’t even need to leave."

It's a long wait until the jungle

There is a lot of time before heading into the jungle as contestants are left to chill out in their rooms, with Quickenden recalling watching a number of films back to back - once managing to watch 15 in a row.

Because Pritchard took part during the COVID years, he was put up in a cottage Airbnb that he enjoyed, similarly adding: "I watched lots and lots and lots of films," though he was slightly different, explaining: "But the one thing for me is I always kind of have to do a (workout) routine."

He would do press ups and sit ups, like he would do in the castle.

Phones are taken away

This is done so the stars don't find anything out about the show, including who might be going in with you.

With the social media ban, Pritchard also admitted that the TV was unplugged from the internet, so you really had no idea about what was going on in the real world.

You're confined to the hotel

Quickenden said that he was allowed to explore the hotel, highlighting that 'it's not like you're in lockdown', as you can get some fresh air outside, but wandering the streets is a big no-no.

Meanwhile, Pritchard said he wasn't allowed to explore the Welsh countryside, though someone would make trips to the local shops for important items.

Eat while you can

We've all seen the grim food on offer for contestants on I'm a Celeb, but stars are given the luxury to eat what they want in their hotels.

They can make use of the mini-bar, though Quickenden said he enjoyed burgers and chocolate, choosing his final meal to be a Snickers bar.

Pritchard knew the rice and beans waiting for him in the castle, so he enjoyed eating 'normally' in his temporary home, with his final meal being steak and chips with some greens, though he had cereal bars before heading into the castle itself.

Help from the production team

Apparently they would be more helpful than expected in the lead up to shooting, as Quickenden explained: "They obviously don’t give too much away, but they try and help you and give you some pointers like, 'You might be going here for the first night, you might not be going straight in the camp.

"So just be aware that anything can change'. And stuff like that."

He also highlighted that they kept to their 'duty of care'.