Josie Gibson was inspired to enter the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! jungle by former This Morning host Holly Willoughby.
Holly, 42, hosted I’m A Celebrity alongside Declan Donnelly, 48, in 2018 when Ant McPartlin, 48, took a year off after crashing his car while under the influence.
And broadcaster Holly’s time working in Australia prompted her to insist Josie, 38, should take part as a campmate.
Former Big Brother winner Josie was seen heading into camp as this year’s series launched on Sunday.
She told Hello! magazine ahead of the show that Holly had said: ‘It’s so beautiful there, Josie — you won’t get over how beautiful it is.’
Dow Under: Josie Gibson (pictured) was inspired to enter the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! jungle by former This Morning host Holly Willoughby
Experience: Broadcaster Holly’s time working in Australia prompted her to insist Josie, 38, should take part as a campmate (Holly pictured on This Morning in 2018)
Looking back: Holly, 42, hosted I’m A Celebrity alongside Declan Donnelly, 48 (pictured), in 2018 when Ant McPartlin, 48, took a year off after crashing his car while under the influence
Josie added: ‘She said that when she got there she got a bit emotional as it was just stunning. She will be rooting for me.’
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! kicked off with a brand new series on Sunday and Josie Gibson wasted no time cracking jokes at fellow campmate Nigel Farage’s expense.
The This Morning star, 38, found herself miles from the Aussie jungle as she was dropped into the scorching outback for the first challenge alongside the controversial polictian, 59.
With Josie admitting ‘I thought this was a good idea until they dropped us off in the middle of nowhere. I’ve never been so petrified.’
Nigel replied: ‘It’s something different in life, it’s an adventure! It’s a challenge, it’s not going to be easy, but why not?’.
While Josie quipped: ‘It can’t be worse than Brexit!’
Laughing Nigel said: ‘Oh… didn’t take long did it? Didn’t take long. I had a feeling we’d get a bit of that!’
However Josie was quick to assure him that she was ‘only joking’.
Drama down under: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! kicked off with a brand new series on Sunday and Josie Gibson, 38, wasted no time cracking jokes at fellow campmate Nigel Farage’s expense
Tension ahead? The This Morning star found herself miles from the Aussie jungle and was dropped into the scorching outback for the first challenge alongside the controversial polictian, 59.
The Former UKIP and Brexit party leader is believed to be earning a bumper £1.5million for his appearance on the ITV series.
The signing of the GB News star has proved controversial as he is a famously divisive figure, who is known for his right-wing views on immigration and gender pay gaps.
Some fans are less than happy with Farage taking part with nearly many threatening to boycott the series.
Taking to X, social media users plead their case as to why they were taking action against the show.
One user wrote: ‘ITV notoriously choose the most heinous politicians. They secure these guests by promising to show ‘another side’ to them.
Jokester: With Josie admitting ‘I thought this was a good idea until they dropped us off in the middle of nowhere. I’ve never been so petrified.’
Speaking he mind: Before adding: ‘It can’t be worse than Brexit!’ (Nigel and Josie pictured with fellow campmate Nella Rose)
Fuming: Former UKIP and Brexit party leader Nigel is believed to be earning a bumper £1.5million for his appearance on the ITV series – with some fans declaring they will boycott the series as a result (pictured in 2021)
‘There are no other sides to sc**bags like Matt Hancock & Nigel Farage & attempts to rehabilitate them for the nation is propaganda. #BoycottImACeleb’.
‘Hancock was bad enough but I can’t even look at Farage. Do itv realise how many viewers they will lose with this decision? #BoycottImACeleb’, a second wrote.
A third user added: @ITV @antanddec @DecsMcpartlin I boycotted @imacelebrity when you put @MattHancock on your show. Now the odious @Nigel_Farage.
‘I’m livid that you give these people a voice, a platform and way to be seen. I can’t, I’m livid spitting feathers. #BoycottITV #Boycottimaceleb’.
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!
