NEW BEGINNINGS

11 brand new celebrities entered the Australian rainforest kicking off the ninth series of I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! which starts on ITV1 at 9pm on TONIGHT!.

Sam Fox, Kim Woodburn, Lucy Benjamin, Sabrina Washington, Camilla Dallerup, Colin McAllister, Justin Ryan, George Hamilton, Stuart Manning, Gino D’Acampo and Jimmy White became the jungle’s latest line-up as they start their fight to become King or Queen of the Jungle, 2009. And in the great tradition on the show, producers have already dispatched some of the tricks up their sleeves to catch the celebrities unawares.

The celebrities met on a luxury yacht moored at a marina near Australia’s five star Palazzo Versace Hotel. Sam Fox was first aboard, looking stunning but nervous in a skin tight black and silver mini-dress. She was joined by Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan who looked delighted to see her. Colin asked is she would display her famous ‘assets’ but she confessed that they were “in hibernation”.

Colin was sporting a black eye and explained that he had tripped over a rug at the design duo’s Scottish home, banging his eye on a sculpture. Kim Woodburn was next on board and looking glamorous admitted that she had had her lips and eyebrows tattooed and had false lashes. She later claimed that she wouldn’t be able to do any of the eating trials – “you’ll starve darling” she said – but offered to clean the notorious camp dunny.

Next on board was hunky chef Gino D’Acampo which relieved the celebrities as they thought he could look after the cooking in camp. He was closely followed by Lucy Benjamin and then actor Stuart Manning. Sabrina Washington was next on the boat, who chatted to the girls and Stuart leaving Colin and Justin to flirt with Gino. Next up was Jimmy White and then Camilla Dallerup who showed off her dancer’s figure in an eye catching gold dress. As ten celebrities were on the boat, they all thought that there they were a full complement – but in a final surprise on walked George Hamilton much to their delight.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

The celebrities all bonded over luxurious fruit cocktails and canapés as the yacht cruised out of the marina. George asked for a martini – but settled for water. Sam confessed to Sabrina that she was particularly scared of rats and snakes and Jimmy said he was frightened of spiders.

Stuart and Sabrina seemed to hit it off prompting speculation about an early jungle romance. Sabrina asked Stuart if he was married, and the two chatted throughout the voyage. And Justin took the role of host as he helped the others to drinks and nibbles.

But the celebrities’ peace was about to be shattered as a speedboat pulled up alongside the yacht . . .

THE FIRST CHALLENGE

The celebrities looked shocked as show hosts Ant and Dec stepped on board and they realised that their jungle adventure was about to begin. The boys explained that two of them – one male and one female – would have to jump fully clothed of the boat and into the sea and swim to a nearby island where they would spend the night and undergo a challenge. The success of this challenge would have a direct effect on the lives and comfort of everyone in the camp. The celebrities were to choose who they would like to nominate for the task between themselves.

GINO AND SAM DRAW THE SHORT STRAW

Kim immediately ruled herself out of the challenge as she said that she couldn’t swim. And as the celebrities couldn’t decide who would undertake the task, they decided to draw straws. Whoever got the shortest straws would have to swim to the island and stay overnight. Gino and Sam were the unlucky two and told Ant and Dec the verdict.

The two jumped into the ocean – Sam in her dress and Gino shirtless but in his jeans – and swam to the island to the cheers of the other celebrities. They were both nervous of sharks but bravely completed the swim. Upon arriving on the island, they found two camp beds and instructions that they would face their trial the following morning. Gino was pleased to spend the night with Sam – especially when she serenaded him with her song Touch Me (I Want Your Body).

Meanwhile, the other celebrities sailed back off to their hotels where they remained for one last night of luxury.

ALL WASHED UP

Sam and Gino had to take part in the trial called All Washed Up where they had to face various critters including crabs, an octopus, water spiders and eels to win stars that would grant them food and beds for the celebrities.

NICE TICS SAM

Sam had an early introduction to jungle wildlife after her stay on the island. The area was infested with tics – tiny mites that bury into skin and suck blood. Sam was examined later and was found to be tic free!!

UP, UP AND AWAY!

Fresh from their last night in luxury, the nine remaining celebrities prepared to face their fears as the daunting task of spending the next three weeks in TV’s most infamous jungle became their reality.

They were soon split into three groups and boarded the helicopters ready to start their first phase into camp.

Group 1 was

Jimmy, Camilla, Stuart and Justin

Group 2 comprised of

Lucy, Colin and Sabrina

Group 3 was made up of

George and Kim

There would be no horsing around for group one (Jimmy, Camilla, Stuart and Justin) who found themselves climbing upon horses and trekking into camp.

Arriving at the location, Stuart said: “We were standing there we didn’t know what was happening and then all of a sudden a guy came up from the hill with four horses…The first thought when I saw the horses was ‘sore arse’ because they’re not going to take us a short way.”

Still shaky from her helicopter ride, Camilla revealed that she has a childhood fear of horses having fallen from one aged five and hasn’t ridden since. She said to fellow celebrity Justin, “If you’d ask me last week if I would get on a horse I would have said ‘absolutely no way’…I’ve been scared since I was five (years old).”

The snooker legend’s inexperience in the saddle proved problematic as he was unable to command his horse which no hurry to reach their destination, Jimmy said: “The horse I was on was just taking his time.”

Justin was thrilled to see the horses and confidently climbed aboard admitting to his fellow celebrities that he had ridden before.

The bedaggled group finally made it to shore and thankfully for most of them could then complete the rest of their journey on foot.

Group two (Lucy, Colin and Sabrina) were flying high as they had to complete a tandem jump. With their next stop coming into view it was Lucy who quickly realised that they will be jumping out of a plane. Having revealed a fear of heights early on Sabrina screamed; “Oh God no we can’t jump out of a plane!”

As they left the helicopter, fear began to creep into all three celebrities when they were informed that they would be jumping out of the plane at 12 000 feet.

A scared Lucy then said: “I’m very nervous about it I think I’ve gone into shock.”

Having boarded the plane, they climbed ever nearer to their jump Colin attempted to lighten the mood by saying : “ …this is better than botox.”

Talking abut her prospective tandem jump, Lucy said: “It’s just that sitting on the edge before you jump that’s the worst bit!”

Sabrina said: “Mum don’t worry I’m going to be ok!”

As he prepared to leap off the plane, Colin did his hair as he wanted to look good when he landed and said that the was doing it “for Scotland.” Closing his eyes the designer jumped which caused Lucy to scream.

Next up was an apprehensive Sabrina who also closed her eyes before she jumped. Leaving actress Lucy, the only one left to jump.

A terrified Lucy screamed as she leaps from the plane.

Group three (George and Kim) had to trek into their new home via foot. The pair took in their surrounding and Kim takes charge by marching ahead. An impressed George said: “You’re pretty hardy there, your setting a good pace.”

Kim: We’re definitely going to lose some weight aren’t we? Can you see my figure I’ll be a Grecian Goddess and you’ll like a Grecian God.