The new series of I’m A Celebrity South Africa kicked off on ITV last night, and Shaun Ryder is already emerging as a fan favourite.
The Happy Mondays star was one of several famous faces who headed into the star-studded camp, in its new location in South Africa.
Also joining the new spin-off of the hit ITV show were Amir Khan, Helen Flanagan, Jordan Banjo, Carol Vorderman, Fatima Whitbread, Paul Burrell, Phil Tufnell, and Janice Dickinson.
But the series had already promised a few more surprises and late-arrival campmates – and their first surprise delivered some TV gold.
Right at the end of last night’s episode, as the celebrities were settling in to their new home, ITV dropped a mysteriously giant box into camp.
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Shaun Ryder, who had previously commented that ‘there doesn’t seem to be any knobheads’, was soon eating his words when his former TV nemesis Gillian McKeith burst out of the box.
Gillian McKeith arriving in a giant box on I’m A Celebrity. Credit: ITVGillian McKeith arriving in a giant box on I’m A Celebrity. Credit: ITVShaun Ryder and Gillian McKeith are back together in the I’m A Celebrity jungle
The smile dropped from his face the second he recognised his former campmate, who he butted heads with back in 2010.
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He had labelled her ‘a f***ing irritating woman’, and frequently lashed out at her.
Shaun even told told Ant and Dec when he left the jungle: “If Gillian was my wife, she would be in pieces in a plastic bag, deep in a hole in the back garden.”
In response to Gillian entering the I’m A Celebrity camp, he simply said: “Oh… F***ing hell.”
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And when Paul Burrell asked if she was ‘mad as a box of frogs’, Shaun replied: “Yeah. I nearly killed her.”
— tasha louise | 𝚂𝚞𝚋𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝 💛 (@eds_afterglow) April 24, 2023
He later said in the diary room: “Gillian arrived in a box. She should have stayed in the box folks…”
Fans are obviously loving the drama, and seem to mostly be Team Shaun.
One person said: “I’m a celeb bringing Gillian mckeith in with Shaun Ryder is one of the best things to happen to British tv for years.”
Another wrote: “However this series pans out, putting Shaun Ryder and Gillian McKeith in the jungle together again is a genius TV move.”
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Someone else said: “Shaun ryder is gonna carry this series and if he dosent win its a robbery.”
Everyone strap in – there’s gonna be fireworks.
Featured image: ITV
TV & Showbiz
More adult virgins needed for next series of Channel 4’s hit reality show Virgin Island
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
You may remember that early last year, we brought you the breaking highly-important news that Channel 4 was currently in the process of producing a new reality TV series that, at the time, had the working title of ‘The Intimacy Retreat’ and was looking for a group of adult virgins to apply to take part, if they were brave enough.
But now, well over a year on, we all know that show turned out to be the hit show Virgin Island – which has just finished airing its first series this week.
Channel 4 needs more adult virgins for the potential next series of its hit reality TV show Virgin Island / Credit: Channel 4
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before, as it follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
Virgin Island aims to help young people overcome their insecurities around intimacy and sex / Credit: Channel 4
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
TV & Showbiz
You can watch Twilight with a live orchestra surrounded by candlelight in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
One of the most iconic literary and film sagas of the 21st century is celebrating 20 years since the first book was published next year.
And to celebrate this milestone moment, you’ll be able to watch the first film live in dozens of cities across the UK surrounded by the beauty of more than a thousand candles while a live orchestra plays the soundtrack to accompany.
That’s right, Twilight in Concert is coming to Manchester.
Undeniably one of the most successful young adult film franchises of all time, with five films (Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 & 2) to its name, The Twilight Saga has impressively grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office.
You can watch Twilight with a live orchestra surrounded by candlelight in Manchester / Credit: Supplied
The films were adapted from author Stephenie Meyer’s acclaimed literary series that won multiple awards over its time, sold more than 160 million copies worldwide, and was translated into 49 different languages.
But no matter whether you’re Team Edward or Team Jacob, Twilight In Concert promises to be an unforgettable event for fans of the belovedfranchise, two decades on.
Set in an enchanting candlelit setting, TwilightIn Concert offers fans a unique opportunity to re-live the film that started it all, while musicians take the stage to perform the beloved score in perfect synchronisation with the original movie presented in its entirety on a cinema-size screen.
You can expect a 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians / Credit: Supplied
You can expect a 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians to transport you on a journey deep into the heart of Forks.
Twilight in Concert will be stopping off at 12 other major UK cities on its tour, including other northern hubs such as Sheffield, York, and Liverpool, as well as arriving at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Friday 6 February 2026.
Daisy Jackson -
25th April 2023 
