The stakes are rising in the South African wilderness as ITV confirms that I’m a Celebrity… South Africa has confirmed TOWIE and Red Dwarf stars as late arrivals for its second All Stars season. Gemma Collins and Craig Charles are set to join a roster of returning contestants in a high-pressure bid to be crowned the series’ second-ever “Legend.”
The spin-off, which brings back seasoned veterans of the jungle to face a “harder” set of challenges, is designed as a redemption arc for those who didn’t quite conquer the wild during their first attempt. For Collins and Charles, the return is deeply personal, as both were forced to exit their previous stints prematurely, albeit for particularly different reasons.
The current cast already features a formidable lineup of former contestants, including Scarlett Moffatt, Adam Thomas, Harry Redknapp, Beverley Callard, Ashley Roberts, and David Haye. They are all competing for the prestige of the title, following in the footsteps of Myleene Klaas, who won the inaugural 2023 season after having been a runner-up on the main indicate in 2006.
A Quest for Redemption: Gemma Collins Returns
For Gemma Collins, the return to the jungle is less about the game and more about erasing a decade-traditional memory. Collins first entered the camp in 2014 but famously departed after only 72 hours. In recent reflections, the The Only Way Is Essex icon described the experience as a “shadow hanging over” her, viewing this new opportunity as the ultimate pinnacle of her career.
“Going on All Stars is a real moment for me in my career – it’s redemption. To be able to do this again is the greatest honour ever,” Collins stated, emphasizing that she is entering the camp with a totally different mindset than the woman she was ten years ago.
Collins has expressed a fierce determination to last until the end, vowing that “none of us will be starving” under her watch and asserting her identity as a self-made woman who has been “to hell and back.” Despite her confidence, she admitted that facing the wildlife is still a daunting prospect, noting that it is not “normal to be faced with animals.”
Craig Charles and the Weight of ‘What Ifs’
While Collins’ exit was a matter of personal endurance, Craig Charles’ departure from his original season was marked by tragedy. The Red Dwarf and Coronation Street star was forced to leave the jungle following the sudden death of his brother, Dean. For years, Charles admitted that he could not even watch the program because it reopened a “world of loss.”
Returning to the show now is a calculated step toward closure. Charles spoke of the “what ifs” that haunted him for years, recalling that he had felt he was in a professional rut during his ten-year tenure at Corrie and had been genuinely enjoying the Australian jungle before his life was upended. He shared a poignant detail from his brother’s final days, noting that Dean had told his wife after the first episode, “He is going to win that.”
Despite the emotional weight of his return, Charles maintains a sense of humor about his prospects. He has openly admitted to a fear of heights and “creepy crawlies,” joking that he has “nothing to offer” in terms of a winning strategy and hopes simply to avoid appearing as a “decrepit old fart.”
The All Stars Framework: What to Expect
The I’m a Celebrity… South Africa format differs from the standard Australian jungle experience by specifically targeting former contestants. This creates a unique psychological dynamic where campmates are not just fighting for survival, but fighting against their own previous failures. The “Legend” title is reserved for the winner of this specific All Stars iteration.
| Contestant | Original Exit Reason | Stated Goal for Season 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gemma Collins | Voluntary exit (72 hours) | Career redemption and longevity |
| Craig Charles | Family bereavement | Closure and overcoming “what ifs” |
| Myleene Klaas | Runner-up (2006) | Won inaugural All Stars (2023) |
The arrival of Collins and Charles is expected to shift the camp’s social hierarchy. Charles has already expressed excitement about potentially bonding with Collins and former Corrie co-star Simon Gregson, suggesting that the social “chats” around the campfire will be as critical as the trials themselves.
Broadcast and Viewing Details
The second season of the South African series premiered on ITV1 and ITVX on April 6. To supplement the main action, the companion show I’m a Celebrity… Unpacked airs on ITV2 and ITVX, hosted by Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers, providing a deeper dive into the camp dynamics and contestant strategies.
As the competition progresses, the focus will remain on whether the “late arrivals” can integrate quickly enough to challenge the established campmates for the top spot. The combination of high-profile personalities and a “harder” environment suggests a season defined by volatility and emotional breakthroughs.
Viewers can expect further updates as the eliminations commence and the quest for the next “Legend” narrows. The next major checkpoint will be the first round of public votes to determine which of these returning stars will be the first to leave the South African wilderness.
Do you think Gemma Collins can conquer the jungle this time, or will the wildlife be too much? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
