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I'm A Celebrity bosses have ditched the Walk the Plank challenge for this year's launch episode, despite it being an iconic fan favourite.
Instead, they are teasing a fresh, equally terrifying task to kick off the series. With details under wraps, contestants like Coleen Rooney and Tulisa can expect a more suspenseful arrival in Australia.
“Bosses are staying tight-lipped on exactly what they’ve got lined up to replace the plank, but rest assured it will be equally as terrifying and exhilarating,” a show insider told The Sun.
“It won’t be an easy ride into camp for the celebrities this year. Bosses are pulling out all the stops to ensure the show has a spectacular launch that viewers won’t want to miss.”
Last year, the infamous plank was updated as a narrow metal pole, which celebrities had to crawl across to reach the end. This season’s new challenge remains under wraps.
However, radio DJ Melvin Odoom, one of the contestants, seemed unfazed by heights. He told the publication: “I’m afraid of everything but heights. I don’t mind heights; years ago, I went in a Red Bull airplane and they looped around…it was like G-force.
“If I had to do anything, like jumping out of a plane, I don’t think I’d mind that much; it’s the least thing I’d be afraid of. But when it comes to bugs...I hate insects, I hate bugs.”
The I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! line-up this year is set to feature a host of famous faces, including Coronation Street stalwart Alan Halsall, who missed out last year due to a knee injury.
Also expected to join WAG Coleen and former X Factor judge Tulisa are Love Island's Maura Higgins, who is said to have agreed to participate in the show after fellow Love Islander and boxer Tommy Fury withdrew from the programme to concentrate on his upcoming bout with YouTuber KSI.
Former Strictly Come Dancing pro-Oti Mabiuse, McFly's Danny Jones - walking in the winning footsteps of his bandmate Dougie Poynter from 2011 - and Irish boxer Barry McGuigan, who is not usually seen on television outside his sports commentating gigs.
Giovanni Pernice and the more unlikely names Phillip Schofield, Jeremy Clarkson and Tommy Fury are being banded about.
Following I'm A Celebrity's triumph in the Best Entertainment category at this year's National Television Awards, speculation is rife about potential campmates for 2024.
An ITV spokesperson declined to comment on rumours regarding potential jungle contestants.
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