I’m jungle fresh now after my year off, reveals Ant
ANT McPartlin admitted he was “very excited” to be back hosting I’m A Celebrity... after his year off from the jungle.
And because of the time difference, the first show was filmed in the early hours of Monday in Australia – which also marked his 44th birthday.
Ant said: “I’m very, very excited about getting back on the show. It’s a brilliant place to work and a brilliant part of the world to be in. Plus, I’m back with my best friend.”
Puzzle
The hosts did not specifically reference Ant’s drink-drive conviction, but Dec started off the show by announcing: “I’m back, he’s back, we’re all back.”
As the pair told viewers who would be on the show, including reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner who reportedly will get £500,000 for her appearance, Dec, also 44, added: “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.” Ant smiled as he replied: “I know.”
Later when the pair made a deliberate mistake, Ant quipped: “I have had a year off, what’s your excuse?” The pair have been enjoying lunches together in the sunshine on the Gold Coast with Dec’s wife Ali and Ant’s girlfriend Anne-Marie Corbett.
Last year Holly Willoughby stood in as Ant fought drink and drug problems.
Meanwhile, EastEnders and Call The Midwife actor Cliff Parisi, 59, is the final name heading into the jungle. He is known as Minty from his eight years on Albert Square. He will appear at the end of the week with Andrew Whyment, who plays Coronation Street’s Kirk Sutherland.
They will be joining stars including Nadine Coyle, Ian Wright and Kate Garraway.
An ITV source said: “With Cliff and Andy we have got two big soap names and they’ll be a lot of fun. Cliff is the final piece in the puzzle.”
Ian said he hopes to be king of the jungle and enjoys the love he gets from fans – something he feels was lacking in his football days. The ex-Arsenal and England star is 9/4 favourite to win.
Speaking on the Fortunately podcast, the Match Of The Day pundit said: “During my career I felt people looked for the negative stuff that I had done. Now I get so much love. I walk on the street and people are nice and I really like it.”