FIRST LOOK I'm A Celebrity... South Africa 2026

Meet this year's returning campmates!

I'm A Celebrity... South Africa returns this week with 12 celebrities returning for the second-ever all-star series, and this time, the public will have the power to decide who is crowned the ultimate legend 2026.

After weeks of shocks, showdowns and survival, viewers will be able to have their say and cast the final vote in a live grand final broadcast direct from London.

Once again, the show will bring together some of the most memorable campmates from series gone by, as they return to test themselves in brand new trials and challenges in the South African wilderness.

Campmates have already proved that they can survive the Australian jungle (or for some, the Welsh castle), but this is I’m A Celebrity… on a whole new level, it’s where legends are made.

Ant & Dec are back 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.

The trials are tougher than ever, and the stakes couldn't be higher. With relentless twists and turns, the campmates will never know what’s coming next. They will face challenges at every turn, quickly learning that big decisions carry even bigger consequences.

I'm A Celebrity...Unpacked will also return as a vodcast hosted by Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers, and will be available on ITVX, Spotify and YouTube, and an audio-only version will be available wherever you get your podcasts.

There will also be a live show of I’m A Celebrity…Unpacked on ITV2 and ITVX straight after the live ITV1 finale show.

It's time to meet this year's returning campmates...

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Adam Thomas

Actor & TV Presenter from 2016

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Camp highlight?

Meeting all the other celebrities. I’d like to think I am a people person and I love meeting new people. I’m genuinely looking forward to meeting some more new people. The jungle gives you the time to switch off.

Scariest trial?

I was locked up in a lodge and there were spiders coming through the door and I had cockroaches crawling over me. It wasn’t pleasant!

Ideal campmate?

Anyone from my 2016 series, as I’d love to see some old faces again. It would be so nice to catch up with them.

Did I'm A Celeb change you?

Yes. It was the first time I’d done anything as myself and people got to know me as me, rather than an acting role.

What did you learn about yourself?

I learnt I’m a lot more scared of things than I thought I was! In fact, any trials involving spiders, I wasn’t just scared – I was petrified!

Your best memory?

The trials. As much as I hated doing them, when you win stars and go back to tell the camp, there is no better feeling than seeing how happy everyone is. Putting a smile on the campmates’ faces is one of my special memories.

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Ashley Roberts

Heart Radio DJ from 2012

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Camp highlight?

Bonding with people I’d never met before and going through an insane experience is something you can’t even put into words! It was such a special, wild, crazy adventure.

Scariest trial?

The last ever eating trial was atrocious. It went against every instinct in my body what I was putting in my mouth!

Ideal campmate?

I’ve been so consumed with my fears about how I am going to fare in the South African jungle that I haven’t had a chance to think about my other campmates. But I hope they are all a good group of people who give off great vibes.

Did I'm A Celeb change you?

Oh my gosh, 1000 per cent yes. I didn’t know how much this show was going to impact my life (for the better). As an individual, you are also up against things you normally shy away from – you don’t normally go to sleep on a bed of rats

What did you learn about yourself?

I was stronger than I thought. Doing I’m A Celebrity… gives you a great perspective on life.

Your best memory?

I loved doing the Cyclone trial and to do the show felt so liberating. I’d just come out of the Pussycat Dolls and even though I was nervous to strip everything off – no make-up, lashes, extensions - it was also such an amazing experience. Whenever I bump into anyone from my series, I am so excited to see them.

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Beverley Callard

Coronation Street Icon from 2020

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Camp highlight?

The people. Our series was during Covid and the nation/world had had such a bad time, it was a real feel-good show. Everyone got on so well and we still meet up. We’ve got a WhatsApp group and we go out to dinner together.

Scariest trial?

‘The Gates of Hell’. We had to move stars along the gate. It was horrific. I also hated the food trials especially when I had to eat fermented cheese fruit. Vernon (Kay) had to eat penis and he said mine was a lot worse!

Ideal campmate?

Jordan North from my series.

Did I'm A Celeb change you?

Yes it gave me confidence. I do tend to suffer from low self-esteem and without sounding big headed, because people kept telling me they loved me and how down to earth I was - it gave me confidence and it was lovely to be with such a wonderful group of people.

What did you learn about yourself?

I've got true grit.

Your best memory?

I loved it all. The daily tasks, the clothes we wore, not having my phone and not wearing any make-up.

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Craig Charles

Actor and DJ from 2014

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David Haye

Former Champion Boxer from 2012

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Camp highlight?

Sleeping outdoors in the elements and being at one with nature. I loved being in the Australian jungle and I really enjoyed the connection with mother nature.

Scariest trial?

The trials were quite easy to be honest! They weren’t that physical. You would have to ‘go some’ to get any stress from me!

Ideal campmate?

Tony Bellew. I wouldn’t mind doing a trial with Tony, as that would be fun. I love an ex-boxer and he would be cool.

Did I'm A Celeb change you?

A little bit, yes. It allowed me to detach from the usual noise (of life), which is important. Doing I’m A Celebrity… helps to put everything into perspective.

What did you learn about yourself?

That I can go into a situation like this. Last time, I was apprehensive about being locked into a specific location with a bunch of people I didn’t know. Once I did it, I knew I could do it again and it’s why I said ‘yes’ to the South African jungle.

Your best memory?

Getting on with everyone in camp. Everyone is different, everyone has the positives and negatives but you figure out who you gravitate towards. I’m quite easy to get on with and I never had issues with mixing.

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Gemma Collins

TV Personality from 2014

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Harry Redknapp

Football Manager from 2018

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Jimmy Bullard

Ex-Footballer from 2014

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Sir Mo Farah

Olympic Legend from 2020

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Camp highlight?

When Ant & Dec showed me a video of my time in the Welsh castle at the end. It was a case of, ‘just wow, this has been epic’.

Scariest trial?

Definitely a trial involving snakes. You had to put your hand in a dark hole and you didn’t know what was going to be there.

Ideal campmate?

I’m an Arsenal fan, so Ian Wright. He’s such a legend. I like football.

Did I'm A Celeb change you?

No but now I’ve retired, I can be a lot more open in the South African jungle.

What did you learn about yourself?

That when you say ‘I’m scared’, you really mean it. I was so scared of those snakes!

Your best memory?

Learning how to walk and talk like Phil Mitchell from EastEnders in the castle camp! I also remember it being very cold.

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Scarlett Moffatt

TV Presenter from 2016

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Camp highlight?

Meeting Ant & Dec for the first time. They are legends in my house and if you have two soft boiled eggs, you will always call them Ant & Dec!

Scariest trial?

My final one. It involved going into a small cave with rats. I’m not great with small spaces, but at least I am quite happy to go into lifts now – so it did help me a little!

Ideal campmate?

Everyone from my series and Gemma Collins. She is iconic.

Did I'm A Celeb change you?

I’ve got IAC to thank for everything that has happened in my career. I’m so grateful for the many opportunities it led to. To be part of IAC again is amazing.

What did you learn about yourself?

That it is alright to be you. I’d always felt a little bit of an outsider and it made me realise everyone has different strengths, and it’s important to be yourself.

Your best memory?

Joel (Dommett), Adam (Thomas) and I all hugging each other when we were told we were in the final. I wish I could bottle that feeling up and give it out! It felt so euphoric. Winning was amazing, but just to be there at the end meant everything to me.

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Seann Walsh

Comedian from 2022

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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 I'm A Celeb change you?

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 did you learn about yourself?

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.

Your best memory?

Getting to know a group of wonderful people who had all done extraordinary things.

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Sinitta

Pop Icon from 2011

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Camp highlight?

Everyone in the camp. It was amazing talking to Stefanie Powers about her ranch in Kenya, listening to Willie Carson chat about his races back in the day and then speaking to the younger ones like Mark Wright. It was the best eclectic dinner party!

Scariest trial?

A cable car style trial that saw me go up higher than a bungee jump, then be asked to reach into carts that you couldn’t see in. I can remember dangling miles up in the sky. It was very full on.

Ideal campmate?

Fatima Whitbread who was a warrior princess, Wayne Sleep to entertain us all and someone big and strong like John Fashanu. And some cuties to look at too!

Did I'm A Celeb change you?

No, only because I did trial after trial and then I got voted out. I didn’t get to reconcile with living outside and being in camp.

What did you learn about yourself?

I can pull things out of the bag in extreme circumstances – that Herculean strength which comes from nowhere.

Your best memory?

The kindness shown in camp. It felt like we were all turned to a childlike state once we were stripped of everything. You felt so vulnerable together, but there was a lot of kindness. Not having our phones was a complete detox too. I can imagine people like Jeff Bezos paying for something like that! It’s a special experience.

I'm A Celebrity... South Africa returns Monday 6th April at 9pm on ITV1