Following the success of its debut series in 2023, I’m A Celebrity… South Africa returns for a new series. The all-star version of the I’m A Celebrity… format will once again bring together some of the most memorable campmates , as they return to test themselves in brand new trials and challenges in the South African wilderness. Ant & Dec return as hosts, with the new series featuring a fresh group of returning campmates, spectacular locations within the South African landscape and some of the most epic and extreme trials in I’m A Celebrity… history.
Campmates have already proved that they can survive the Australian jungle, but this is I’m A Celebrity… on a whole new level, it’s where legends are made. The trials are tougher than ever and with that, so are the stakes. With relentless twists and turns, the campmates will never know what’s coming next. A new element for this second series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa is that the public will have the power to decide who is crowned the ultimate legend 2026. After weeks of watching the celebrities navigate camp life, viewers will cast the final vote in a live grand final broadcast directly from London.
I'm A Celebrity...Unpacked will return as a visual podcast hosted by Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers. It will be available on ITVX, Spotify and YouTube and an audio only version will be available wherever you get your podcasts. The celebrities returning for the new series are; Actor & TV presenter - Adam Thomas, Heart radio DJ - Ashley Roberts, TV presenter - Scarlett Moffatt, Former champion boxer - David Haye, Corrie Icon - Beverley Callard, Comedian - Seann Walsh, Pop icon - Sinitta, Olympic legend - Sir Mo Farah, TV personality - Gemma Collins, Actor & DJ - Craig Charles, Ex footballer - Jimmy Bullard, Football manager - Harry Redknapp
I'm A Celebrity…South Africa, ITV1, Monday, 6 April, 9pm.
Read an interview with Seann Walsh below.
Four years after he was famously paired with Matt Hancock as a late entry on the 2022 series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! comedian Seann Walsh admits he still regards it as the most surreal experience of his life. The TV comic reveals he also continues to get stopped by members of the public who are eager to find out what he really thought of the politician. And now as he faces the South African jungle, Seann recalls how he could not stop laughing for thirty minutes when he entered camp in Australia and found out his fellow late entry was the former Health Minister. “People still come up to me and bring up Hancock’s entrance into the show”, he says. “I always tell them that however long it felt like I was laughing on the show, it was actually for longer - about half an hour! It’s the most surreal experience I’ve ever had!”
Yet despite his surreal introduction to life in Australia, Seann says he loved every minute of his time on the programme – and it’s the reason why he is back for a second helping despite his phobia of creepy crawlies. “I had so much fun the first time around, I didn’t have to think for very long about whether I should do it or not,” he confesses. “When you cross that bridge after you are out in the original series, anything difficult about the experience completely disappears and you are left with these wonderful memories that you get to keep for the rest of your life. Then as soon as you agree to go back in, all the things that were difficult return! I’ve still got phobias. The programme only cures you of your phobias when you are in there. As soon as you are back home, they all return! I’m feeling both nervous and excited.”
He will be forever grateful for the fact I’m A Celebrity… boosted his career after his jungle stint. Seann does, however, think it will be much tougher in South Africa – because he knows what to expect. “I know what it feels like to have those ants biting me or to have thousands of bugs all over you and it’s not nice! I think knowing is worse than not knowing.” He says the lack of food causing tiredness will also be a test again. “It’s a real mountain to climb,” he adds. “People came up to me afterwards and asked if we secretly have food prepared for us – but we really don’t.”
Since Australia, he is now a dad of two and he confesses it will be hard being away from his children. “In camp, time really slows down,” he says. “You really feel it in there. Not only are you away from your children, but it’s also how far away you are and that’s tough. I am worried about that. It is going to be a new experience. I do cry as a daddy. If my daughter says: ‘I love you daddy’, I start crying. Being apart from them is going to be difficult whilst I am there.” Seann also thinks it would be a beyond incredible feeling to be able to tell them he had been ‘crowned a legend’ should he go on and win the second All Stars series. Reveals Seann: “I have had a very strange, unique career and it’s been a rollercoaster. I came fifth last time and so to go back in and become a legend – well that would be absolutely amazing.”
Seann Walsh on his last I'm A Celebrity appearance..
Series: 2022, finished in fifth place (22nd series)
Camp highlight: Singing ‘Karma Chameleon’ with Boy George in the jungle. The first concert I ever went to was at Wembley Arena to see Culture Club. To then sing this song with him was wonderful. We’ve stayed in touch ever since. He’s an incredible human being.
Scariest trial: I’m going to go for my most surreal trial and that was the first task I was given as a late entry with Matt Hancock. We had to pretend to be ‘secret mission moles’ and it was just so surreal doing it with him. He’d been someone I had watched on TV during Covid and then suddenly there he was with me in the jungle!
Ideal campmate: Sue Cleaver, Boy George or Jill Scott from my series or Joe Pasquale. I met him once and he is hilarious.
Did IAC change me? Not me as a person, but it changed my life in a very positive way. I was able to go back on tour again and sell out rooms again. I am forever grateful.
What I learnt about myself: It’s nice to know I do get on with people. The truth is outside of the jungle, I keep myself to a small group of friends and doing stand-up is extraordinary but lonely at times. I get nervous meeting new people and so it’s nice to know I can do it.
My best memory: Getting to know a group of wonderful people who had all done extraordinary things.
Interview/Picture: ITV1
