I’m A Celebrity followers say ‘pop open the champagne’ as Maura Higgins teases bombshell jungle arrival alongside Rev Richard Coles: ‘The legend is right here!’

I’m A Celebrity fans went wild on Wednesday night as Maura Higgins teased her bombshell arrival to the jungle alongside Rev Richard Coles at the end of the episode. 

Viewers said the show hasn’t ‘ever seen’ a star like Maura enter in its 22-year history. 

The television personality, 33, rose to prominence in 2019 on Love Island and became known for her fiery personality and ruffling feathers in the villa. 

In a video clip teased at the end of the show, Maura said as she put on her hat: ‘I feel like it’s a bit scarier going in later because everyone has already met. I’m a clean freak. I’m not afraid to say how I feel. I’m probably annoying to live with.

‘The eating trial, that is the worst for me. Eyeballs – that is vile. I don’t want to eat testicles on TV. I just really hope a brave Maura walks out, then walks in.’

Maura will join Rev Richard, 62, in the Jungle Junkyard before entering the main camp. 

The radio host said: ‘I remember turning up on my first day at the monastery thinking: “what have I done?” and I’ve never felt that so intensely until now.’ 

I’m A Celebrity fans went wild on Wednesday night as Maura Higgins teased her bombshell arrival to the jungle alongside Rev Richard Coles at the end of the episode

Maura will join Rev Richard, 62, in the Jungle Junkyard before they join the main camp

The television personality, 33, rose to prominence in 2019 on Love Island and became known for her fiery personality and ruffling feathers in the villa

Fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to react to the announcement of the late arrivals with Maura’s appearance causing quite a stir. 

They wrote: ‘Pop open the champagne, Maura Higgins is about to enter the jungle!’ 

‘I am so excited for Maura Higgins to be going into the jungle!!!’ 

‘The impending friendship (please happen) of Rev Richard Coles and Maura Higgins makes complete incredible sense and I cannot wait for it.’ 

‘Stop voting for Dean to do the trial. This is his last chance at redemption and if he gets less than 2 stars, I think there’s going to be beef brewing in the camp. Hopefully Maura Higgins and Richard Coles can save the camp from this upcoming turmoil’. 

‘The legend Maura Higgins is here!!!’ and ‘I’m A Celeb has had 280 contestants in 20 years but nobody has ever seen the likes of Maura Higgins’. 

Viewers will watch on Thursday’s show Maura and Richard enter the Jungle Junkyard which contains overgrown greenery, rusty corrugated metal and zero luxury, a far cry from the sun-drenched Love Island villa where Maura made her name.

A show source told MailOnline: ‘Maura and Richard Coles are in for the shock of their lives when they enter the Australian jungle as they will be sleeping in a horrible junkyard.

‘Maura has gone from the bright lights of Sin City to being dumped into the basic camp, with no luxuries whatsoever.

Viewers said the show hasn’t ‘ever seen’ a star like Maura enter in its 22-year history

In a video clip teased at the end of the show, Maura said as she put on her hat: ‘I feel like it’s a bit scarier going in later because everyone has already met’

Richard said: ‘I remember turning up on my first day at the monastery thinking: “what have I done?” and I’ve never felt that so intensely until now’

‘But in true I’m A Celeb fashion all is not what it seems, and viewers will soon discover the jungle has many secrets.

‘Bosses have a few surprises up their sleeve for the upcoming series… and the Jungle Junkyard might be hiding the biggest one of all.’

Maura flew from Vegas to Australia after being ‘spoilt’ on an A-list influencer trip where she was treated to front row seats watching Adele perform at The Colosseum.

She was joined by TV personality Stacey Solomon, make-up artist Jacinta Spencer and influencer Luke Hamnett on the glamorous getaway before being stripped of her designer clothes and made to wear her jungle uniform.

After posting a flurry of Instagram photos where she dressed elegantly in a red silk suit, Maura told her 3.8million followers she felt ‘hungover’ and like she had been ‘ruined’ by Sin City.

And she had no time to recover, flying to Brisbane, Australia ready for her I’m A Celeb debut, which will see her stuck in the Jungle Junkyard for the foreseeable.

I’m A Celebrity continues on ITV and ITVX at 9pm on Thursday.  

I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP

OTI MABUSE  

Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt

AGE: 34

OCCUPATION: Professional dancer

FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020. 

DANNY JONES 

Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: McFly singer

FAMOUS FOR:  Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly. 

He is also a coach on The Voice UK. 

BARRY MCGUIGAN 

Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle

AGE: 63

OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer

FAMOUS FOR:  Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986. 

GK BARRY

GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women

AGE: 25

OCCUPATION: TikTok star 

FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel. 

DEAN MCCULLOUGH 

ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION:  Radio 1 DJ 

FAMOUS FOR:  Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views. 

Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.  

JANE MOORE  

Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Journalist

 FAMOUS FOR:  Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002. 

She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow. 

MELVIN ODOOM  

Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021

AGE: 44

OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter

FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

COLEEN ROONEY 

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: WAG

FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.

ALAN HALSALL  

Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Actor 

FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap. 

TULISA  

Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year

AGE: 36

OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge 

FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.

In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss. 

She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.