I'm a Celeb latecomer Gillian McKeith leaves fans 'split' over her return
She originally appeared on the show in 2010
Last updated 25th Apr 2023
I'm a Celeb: South Africa kicked off last night (24th April), where fans got to see this year's contestants get stuck in trying to get stars for the camp, right from the beginning.
At the start of the show, there were nine contestants, starting in teams of three, however it wasn't long before a latecomer arrived in the shape of Gillian McKeith, with fans split over the TV nutritionist returning to the show.
Gillian famously appeared on I'm a Celeb back in 2010, when she fainted and had a run in with former campmate Shaun Ryder - who of course is also in I'm A Celeb: South Africa!
Some fans were very excited to see Gillian return to the show along with Shaun, with one viewer tweeting: 'I’m a celeb bringing Gillian mckeith in with Shaun Ryder is one of the best things to happen to British tv for years'. (sic)
Another fan wrote: 'However this series pans out, putting Shaun Ryder and Gillian McKeith in the jungle together again is a genius TV move #ImACeleb'.
Even the people behind the show's official Twitter account shared their thoughts on Shaun's reaction to seeing Gillian on the show, tweeting: 'Shaun’s disdain for Gillian is a mood with a capital M 🥴 #ImACeleb'.
However, not everyone was happy to she her return to the show, with one viewer saying: 'If Gillian McKeith fake faints ONCE I’m protesting #ImACeleb', with another tweeting: 'Oh no! Not Gillian McKeith! #ImACeleb'.
Gillian famously fainted during a trial when she appeared on the show 12 years ago, and only accepted an offer to return for I'm a Celeb: South Africa, because she wants to represent ‘all the scaredy cats in Britain’.
She also revealed she is ‘absolutely terrified and petrified’ of appearing on the show for a second time as last time she was voted for eight consecutive Bushtucker Trials!
I'm A Celebrity...South Africa continues tomorrow night at 9pm and all this week on ITV1 and ITVX, and STV and STV Player.
Take a look at the line-up on I'm a Celeb: South Africa:
Myleene Klass - WINNER
Myleene Klass joined I'm a Celeb: South Africa during the second episode along with reality TV star Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo and soap star Andy Whyment.
Myleene was a runner up back in 2006 and revealed the best memory from her time on the show was when the jungle came alive at night.
Jordan Banjo - SECOND PLACE
Diversity star and KISS presenter Jordan Banjo appeared on series 16 in 2016. He finished in 9th place.
Jordan said: "How many people get the chance to do it twice? A series with different campmates from over the years sounds pretty cool and my fellow Diversity dancers are excited to see me suffer again!"
Fatima Whitbread - THIRD PLACE
Former Olympian Fatima Whitbread appeared in 2011, where she finished in third place! Last year, Fatima also took part in brutal Channel 4 show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Fatima said: "I learnt a lot about myself in the Australian camp and I know there will be some life size characters and life size egos in South Africa too! But what a great experience it is going to be."
Phil Tufnell - ELIMINATED
Former cricketer Phil Tufnell, or Tuffers as he's also known, appeared on and won the second series in 2003.
Phil said: "I am one of the lucky few to have gone in the jungle and experienced it all and that's what appealed to me when they phoned up to ask me to take part again. I said yes immediately."
Helen Flanagan - ELIMINATED
Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan appeared on series 12 in 2012, finishing the show in 7th place! Helen was voted to do a huge amount of trials during her time on the show, winning just 17 stars out of a possible 52.
Helen said: "I am not saying I am going to go in and be a jungle warrior and be absolutely amazing because I will not. Yes I will be scared but I will have a go and I will be a lot better than last time!"
Paul Burrell - ELIMINATED
Paul Burrell appeared on series 4 in 2004, where he made fans of the show laugh out loud watching his reaction to doing the trials. Paul finished in second place behind Joe Pasquale.
Paul said: "I loved doing it the first time around and to be asked again is very special. It's like coming into the final of the jungle Olympics. I had to eat kangaroo testicles in Australia and I am expecting everything to be bigger in South Africa."
Carol Vorderman - ELIMINATED
Former Countdown host Carol Vorderman took part in series 16 in 2016, finishing in 8th place! Carol got an impressive 19/20 stars in trials.
Carol said: "Doing I'm A Celebrity changed me a lot and I can't wait to take part in this new series. I loved everything about I'm A Celebrity the first time round. We've still got a WhatsApp group! from 2016."
Joe Swash - ELIMINATED
Former EastEnders actor and all-round I'm A Celeb legend Joe Swash first appeared on the show way back in series 8 in 2018, going on to win!
Joe entered the I'm A Celeb: South Africa camp as a late arrival alongside Dean Gaffney.
Dean Gaffney - ELIMINATED
Former soap star Dean Gaffney originally appeared on I'm A Celeb back in 2006, finishing in fifth place.
Dean entered the I'm A Celeb: South Africa camp as a late arrival alongside Joe Swash.
Janice Dickinson -LEFT
American supermodel Janice Dickinson appeared on series 7 in 2007, where she caused a huge stir and a number of arguments with her fellow camp mates. Despite this, Janice finished in second place behind Christopher Biggins.
Janice said: "I'm coming back for more fun, more camaraderie and to see if I can get along with everyone." Adding "You never know what's going to jump up and bite your ass."
Andy Whyment - ELIMINATED
Andy Whyment only appeared on the show in 2019, but he's back for more! The Coronation Street actor said his camp highlight was taking part in Cyclone and the scariest trial was eating fisheyes.
Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo - ELIMINATED
Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo, best known for appearing in Made In Chelsea and winning I'm A Celeb back in 2017, they couldn't keep her away, when she joined in the second episode.
Toff said her ideal campmates were Christopher Biggins or Janice Dickinson, which is good news as Janice is already in the camp!
Amir Khan - ELIMINATED
Boxer Amir Khan appeared on series 17, where he split the opinion of fans by 'stealing' the camp's strawberries.
Amir said: "I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! helped me overcome my phobia of spiders and snakes. It also made me tougher as a person and I'm determined this time not to be soft when it comes to the Trials!"
Gillian McKeith - ELIMINATED
TV nutritionist Gillian McKeith was the first latecomer to I'm A Celeb: South Africa, she first appeared on the show in 2010, along with Shaun Ryder.
Shaun Ryder - ELIMINATED
Music legend Shaun Ryder appeared on the 10th series of I'm a Celebrity, which took place in 2010.
He said: "All I can remember about the Trials is eating a lot of penises, testicles and eyeballs! I could have stayed another year in Australia. I loved living outside in the camp and I had a proper laugh with my fellow celebrities. I know going to South Africa will be a great adventure. I can't wait to do it."
Now read:
Everything you need to know about I'm A Celeb: South Africa
Meet the confirmed line-up for I'm A Celeb: South Africa
15 things you probably didn't know about Ant and Dec