Ruth Jones has expressed her excitement that Joanna Page will appear on this year's season of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, offering her co-star some humorous advice ahead of the show.
Joanna, best known for playing Stacey West on the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey, will swap Barry Island for the Australian jungle as she takes on the show's Bushtucker Trials on ITV.
Advice from Nessa
Upon arriving at Brisbane airport, Joanna gave an animated response as to why she was in Australia before her participation was officially announced. She told reporters she was a "long way from Barry Island" and that she "kind of wish Nessa was with me now", referencing her on-screen best friend, played by Ruth Jones.
Ruth later shared her excitement and some words of advice on Instagram. She said: "The glorious @iamjoannapage has gone into the jungle and I’m beyond excited."
She added, in character as Nessa Jenkins: "O! Stace - they’re gonna make you stick all manner of matter in your gob. And I’m not talking Gwen’s omelettes…just don’t over do it, alrigh’? You knows what a weak constitution you has. But have a crackin time. You makes Barry very proud I’m not gonna lie."
Family Response and Airport Comments
Joanna's family, who have taken over her social media while she appears on the show, responded on her behalf: "No more omelettes for our Stace now…"
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Joanna explained she was in Australia for some "me time" before Christmas. She said: "It was quite strange actually, doing flights where I wasn't having to look after four children at the same time. It's about 13 years since I've had a flight where I can just sit down, watch a film and eat some food."
She also mentioned her delight at discovering Love Actually, in which she features alongside Martin Freeman, among the in-flight entertainment options, though she chose not to watch it.
Line-Up and Broadcast Details
Joanna will appear in the jungle alongside footballing icon Wayne Rooney, YouTuber Sharky, former Paralympian wheelchair basketball player and television presenter Ade Adepitan, model Leomie Anderson, ex-Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney, Big Brother host AJ Odudu, Loose Woman Mariella Frostrup, Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson, reality star Chloe Burrows, and comic Jack Skipper.
I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! starts on Monday, November 16, at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
