Screams could be heard echoing from the top of a 32-storey building in Australia’s Gold Coast as four of the I’m A Celebrity stars completed their first terrifying task of the series.
In a brand new challenge called Pole Position, ITV bosses put a terrifying twist on the classic Walk the Plank challenge, by replacing it with two flimsy flagpoles with the celebrities made to race each other along them 110 metres in the air.
The cast and crew made a lucky escape as moments after the celebs had all safely completed the task – which was to venture out onto the poles pulling with them a star that unwound a flag – a colossal thunderstorm rolled in.
Heavy rain and high winds lashed the flagpoles which protruded out from the side of the Focus building in Surfers Paradise but, despite escaping the storm, some celebs were shaken up by the task.
Visibly petrified, EastEnders actress Danielle Harold, 31, was up first against First Dates’ Fred Sirieix, 51, who came out on top. But ever-the-gentleman, the maitre’d turned to shout words of encouragement to his struggling co-star.
Scary: Screams could be heard echoing from the top of a 32-storey building in Australia’s Gold Coast as four of the I’m A Celebrity stars completed their first terrifying task of the series (pictured Danielle Harold)
Oh my! A zoomed out shot showed the terrifying reality of the challenge
All good? Sam looked apprehensive as he took on the challenge (pictured Sam Thompson)
New challenge: In a brand new challenge called Pole Position, ITV bosses put a terrifying twist on the classic Walk the Plank challenge (pictured Grace Dent)
Horrifying: They replaced it with two flimsy flagpoles with the celebrities made to race each other along them 110 metres in the air
Smashed it: The cast and crew made a lucky escape as moments after the celebs had all safely completed the task
Thumbs up! They had to venture out onto the poles pulling with them a star that unwound a flag just before a colossal thunderstorm rolled in (pictured Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly)
Tense: Heavy rain and high winds lashed the flagpoles which protruded out from the side of the Focus building in Surfers Paradise
Worried: Despite escaping the storm, some celebs were shaken up by the task (pictured Grace Dent)
Hold on tight! Sam clung to the pole for dear life during his challenge
Eventually, the pair were hoisted back onto the roof of the building where Ant and Dec were waiting with ITV’s film crew – Ant, 47, was seen giving the frightened Danielle a reassuring hug.
Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson, 31, was also incredibly nervous and tortured himself by looking down over the side of the skyscraper while being interviewed before he took on the challenge.
At one point the radio host turned to his competitor, the food critic Grace Dent, 50, and reassured her that it wasn’t too far down.
Grace went down the ladder first and waited for Sam at the beginning of the flagpole with a determined look on her face.
Grace gave the reality star a good run for his money and crawled out to the end first, but Sam just beat her by managing to unhook his star and release the flag as she fumbled with hers.
Sam, who described himself as a ‘people pleaser’, was heard shouting ‘Go on Grace’ from the pole opposite as the food critic eventually managed to unhook her star and celebrated as she was winched up.
Cheers erupted from the crew on the roof as the 50-year-old stepped back onto land.
Traditionally Walk the Plank is the first trial endured by the celebrities before they enter the Jungle for up to three weeks.
Apprehensive: Grace looked nervous before taking on the challenge
Arrival: Fred looked dapper in a white suit as he touched down in a helicopter
Here is he! Sam was also spotted jumping out of a helicopter
Rock on! Sam flashed hand symbols to the cameras after landing
Hello! Ant and Dec appeared in good spirits as they waited to greet the celebrities
Ah! Visibly petrified, EastEnders actress Danielle Harold (pictured), 31, was up first against First Dates’ Fred Sirieix, 51
Go on, Danielle! Ever-the-gentleman, the maitre’d turned to shout words of encouragement to his struggling co-star
Taking it slow! Danielle appeared to be struggling with the height
Back to safety: Eventually, the pair were hoisted back onto the roof of the building where Ant and Dec were waiting with ITV’s film crew
Don’t look down! Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson, 31, was also incredibly nervous and tortured himself by looking down over the side of the skyscraper while being interviewed before he took on the challenge (pictured)
Stomach-churning: Danielle also had a peak over the side while waiting at the top
But this year, ITV bosses sent out the show’s predicted top-three contestants – This Morning’s Josie Gibson, former Brexit leader Nigel Farage and TikTok sensation Nella Rose – to film a challenge in the Outback on Wednesday.
Stranded 2000 miles away from their co-stars, the trio came face to face for the first time on Wednesday after being segregated from one another since they arrived in Australia at the weekend.
They were left isolated in the scorching heat as they battled to win time for their fellow campmates who were taking part in other challenges such as today’s Walk the Plank and jumping out of planes.
Set to complete the skydive is JLS frontman Marvin Humes, who suffers from a crippling fear of heights, along with Hollyoaks’s longest-serving star Nick Pickard and Britney Spears’s younger sister Jamie Lynn.
The tasks will be aired when the show launches its first episode this Sunday.
Easy does it! Grace made her way down the town and onto the flag pole
Teamwork: Even though they were racing each other, Fred gave Danielle a helping hand
Brave: Danielle closed her eyes as she perched on the platform by the pole
Taking it slow: Danielle inches along the platform slowly
Well done! Ant gave one contestant a round of applause as they returned to the roof
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
NIGEL FARAGE
Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party and leader of the Brexit Party.
Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty.
Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news.
Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore.
Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields
DANIELLE HAROLD
Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.
Phobias: Rats. I hate them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too!
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either.
Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.
FRED SIRIEIX
Claim to fame: First Dates star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp.
Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning.
Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient!
Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.
NELLA ROSE
Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star.
Phobias: I am fearful of everything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book.
Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it!
Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele.
NICK PICKARD
Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star.
Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character.
Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop!
Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock.
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS
Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.
Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone.
Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed.
Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot.
Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.
SAM THOMPSON
Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter.
Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!
Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things.
Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle!
JOSIE GIBSON
Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.
Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information!
Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on!
Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry.
Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her.
MARVIN HUMES
Claim to fame: JLS star.
Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too.
Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food.
Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.
GRACE DENT
Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic.
Phobias: Horrible people.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep.
Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour!
