Model and radio presenter Kelly Brook has opened up about her most significant concern as she prepares to enter the I'm A Celebrity jungle this weekend, and surprisingly, it has nothing to do with the infamous Bushtucker Trials or creepy crawlies.
The Real Jungle Fear: Hunger Pangs
During a conversation with her Heart Radio co-host Jason King, the 45-year-old celebrity confessed that the thought of going without proper meals is already weighing heavily on her mind. "I think the hunger really gets to you. I'm just not myself when I'm hungry," Kelly admitted, highlighting what could be her biggest challenge in the Australian wilderness.
Jason King couldn't resist teasing his colleague about her food concerns, joking: "You're like that at five-fifty in the evening – and you can't just Deliveroo in there!" The lighthearted exchange revealed just how much Kelly's eating habits might be tested during her jungle stay.
From Reluctant Participant to Willing Contestant
Kelly's participation in the show marks a significant change of heart for the television personality, who previously vowed she would never sign up for the challenging reality programme. The turning point came after being inspired by her husband, Jeremy Parisi, who apparently convinced her to take the plunge into jungle life.
Food scarcity is a well-documented aspect of the I'm A Celebrity experience, with contestants typically surviving on minimal rations of beans and rice unless they successfully complete trials to earn additional stars and better meals. Former campmate James Haskell previously described the experience as "starvation," revealing he struggled with exhaustion so severe he could barely get out of bed.
Spiders and Sanitation Concerns
While hunger remains her primary concern, Kelly acknowledged that other fears linger as her departure for Australia approaches. She expressed particular apprehension about the giant 'unpredictable' spiders that inhabit the jungle environment.
"You don't know where they're going to jump around," she said before adding another practical concern to her list of worries: "And also just not being able to wash."
Australia is home to over 2,000 spider species, including several venomous varieties. The Huntsman spider holds the title of the country's largest arachnid, with some Giant Huntsman Spiders boasting a leg span of up to 30 cm (12 inches).
Celebrity Lineup and Salary Revelations
The new series of I'm A Celebrity, fronted by the ever-popular presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, returns to ITV screens on Sunday and will once again broadcast from its traditional Australian location.
This year's celebrity lineup includes:
- Rapper Aitch
- Social media star Angryginge
- Emmerdale's Lisa Riley
Recent salary 'leaks' have revealed some surprising information about what the celebrities are earning for their jungle stint. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting Kelly Brook was the highest-paid contestant, rapper Aitch is actually taking the top spot with a fee of £250,000.
Comedian Eddie Kadi will receive the lowest amount at £75,000, while Kelly Brook herself is thought to be receiving £80,000 - significantly less than the previously estimated £300,000 that had been circulating in media reports.
As the Sunday launch approaches, several contestants including AngryGinge, Ruby, Lisa, Jack and Alex have already completed their first trial at the luxury private retreat, Rivermead Estate. The trial involved contestants putting a glass bowl containing snakes over their heads while competing for seats in a luxury Getaway Car that guarantees comfortable beds in camp.
The three losing celebrities found themselves in the less desirable Coco Van - a disgusting bus filled with fish guts driven by Kiosk Kev - and will not receive camp privileges upon arrival. Despite completing these initial trials, the celebrities won't actually enter the jungle until Saturday.
According to eyewitnesses, the trial filming was complicated by heavy rain and thunderstorms that swept across Australia's Gold Coast, with the process taking several hours to complete.
Listen to Heart Drive with JK and Kelly Brook weekdays from 16:00 - 19:00 across the UK and on Global Player to hear more from Kelly as she prepares for her jungle adventure.
