The new series of I’m A Celeb is in full swing and contestant Sam Thompson has already had fans in hysterics with his enthusiasm and energetic dance moves.
Yet his mum Karen has opened up about what her son will be finding hard in the jungle as she admitted the star will be missing home a lot.
She revealed: ‘I think he’ll find it all hard. Creepy-crawlies, the food challenges and missing Zara and home in general.’
The Made In Chelsea star, 31, is in in a relationship with former Love Islander Zara McDermott and the pair have been struggling to find time to spend with each other lately due to each other’s hectic schedules.
Zara had only recently come off Strictly Come Dancing, not long before Sam had to fly off to Australia to start the ITV show.
EXCLUSIVE: I’m A Celeb’s Sam Thompson’s mum Karen has reveaIed what he will struggle with most in the jungle
Family perspective: ‘I think he’ll find it all hard. Creepy-crawlies, the food challenges and missing Zara and home in general,’ said Karen (Karen pictured with Sam and daughter Louise)
‘I think he’ll miss [home] a lot – his family, Zara, the cats obviously! But as long as his campmates are lovely and fun to be with that will make it much easier,’ explained Karen.
Sam left fans in hysterics after Sunday’s episode as he enthusiastically leapt into the other contestants arms as he greeted them for the first time.
The reality star was compared to an ‘excitable puppy’ by fans as he appeared starstruck to meet his fellow campmates, in particular First Dates’ Fred Siriex.
Speaking about who he will get on with, Karen revealed she thinks Sam will strike up a friendship with This Morning presenter Josie Gibson.
‘I think he will get on with Josie because she seems really fun and bubbly – much like Sam! So I think that he will really like her.’
On Monday night’s episode hosts Ant and Dec were left baffled as Sam and JLS member Marvin Humes serenaded Jamie Lynn Spears after the star broke down in tears as she talked about missing her children.
In an attempt to cheer the American star up, Sam offered to run her a bath before the duo put on the entertaining performance.
Discussing what the campmates will like best about Sam, his mum gushed: ‘Well everything obviously! There’s nothing to dislike.
‘I think he’s a good listener and he’s very sensitive to other people’s needs/emotions. He’ll try and do his best to make everybody happy.’
Hard: Karen also revealed that Sam, 31, will struggle being away from his girlfriend Zara McDermott, 26
Funny: Sam left fans in hysterics after Sunday’s episode as he enthusiastically leapt into the other contestants arms as he greeted them for the first time
Amusing: Viewers were left in stitches during Monday’s episode when Jamie Lynn Spears was serenaded by her fellow campmates
Bizarre: Marvin then started singing Let Me Love You while Sam joined in and the other campmates danced
The younger sister of Britney Spears looked baffled as her co-stars burst into song while she bathed during the episode, with viewers taking to social media to share their hilarious reactions to the exchange.
Ant and Declan described it as the show’s ‘weirdest’ ever moment and also took to Twitter to join fans in poking fun at the interaction.
Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – they shared a meme of a woman looking unimpressed and wrote: ‘Jamie Lynn trying to enjoy her bath while witnessing the weirdest performance of her life.’
Meanwhile, one amused viewer said: ‘Jamie Lynn in the bath whilst everyone is singing around her is having me crease.’
Another wrote: ‘Jamie Lynn in the bath is every mother trying to have a bath in peace and quiet and all you children, husband and cats turn up to tell you their life story.’
‘Jamie Lynn Spears in the bath: “my sister’s a celebrity, get my out of here!”,’ joked a third viewer.
While someone else shared: ‘Jamie trying to have a bath and everyone just standing there singing and watching her. I’m Absolutely dying.’
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!
