The remaining contestants included Footballer, Mark Wright, who was looking to shed his 'lovable lad' image; Big Brother star, Susie Verrico, who was seeking a new challenge; Coronation Street actress, Maggie Jones, who was on a quest to prove that she was still relevant; and finally, comedian, Jason Manford, who was hoping to show off his funny side in the Jungle.
: The celebrities moved into a camp with minimal comforts, forced to adapt to the harsh South African landscape. How to Watch
| Celebrity | Known for | First impression moment | |-----------|-----------|--------------------------| | | Coronation Street actress | Nervous, high-maintenance energy from the start | | Charlie Brooks | EastEnders actress (Janine Butcher) | Calm, competitive vibe | | Nadine Dorries | Conservative MP | Controversial political figure; defiant attitude | | Linda Robson | Birds of a Feather actress | Warm, motherly presence | | Colin Baker | 6th Doctor (Doctor Who) | Avuncular, slightly pompous but kind | | David Haye | Heavyweight boxer | Confident, physically dominant | | Ashley McKenzie | Judoka (Olympian) | Quiet, determined | | Eric Bristow | Legendary darts player | Brash, cockney banter | | Hugo Taylor | Made in Chelsea star | Posh, polished, slightly aloof | | Brian Conley | Comedian / TV presenter | Jokey, but famously left the show days later (unrelated to ep1) | i'm a celebrity, get me out of here! season 12 episode 1
By the end of the episode, the two camps were established, but the merge had not yet happened. The "haves" (Creek) and "have-nots" (Island) dynamic was set to be a key theme for the next few days.
The Island team struggled with their resources. They were given a small amount of food but had to figure out how to cook it and arrange their sleeping arrangements on the hard, open ground. Tensions rose slightly as hunger and the reality of the situation set in, particularly between Rosemary Shrager and the others regarding the cooking arrangements. The "haves" (Creek) and "have-nots" (Island) dynamic was
Next to arrive was Boyzone singer, Shane Filan, who was excited to test his wilderness survival skills. He was closely followed by pop star, Katie Price, who was on a mission to lose weight and find her inner strength.
The first episode of officially premiered on January 18, 2026 , marking a high-stakes return to the South African jungle. This season, hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin, introduced a lineup of 12 celebrities who immediately faced grueling challenges to secure their first camp meals. The Season 12 Lineup Tensions rose slightly as hunger and the reality
: Renowned chef who joined the camp after the premiere.