Gemma Collins Confronts Daunting Eating Challenge on I'm A Celebrity South Africa
The second episode of I'm A Celebrity South Africa, filmed in Kruger National Park, premieres this evening (7 April 2026), featuring late arrivals Gemma Collins and Craig Charles in their inaugural challenge. Both celebrities, aged 45 and 61 respectively, must participate in a supersized eating trial titled Gut Instincts, forcing Collins to adopt a 'go big or go home' mentality.
Camp Dynamics Shift with New Arrivals
Existing campmates express relief when hosts Ant and Dec announce they are exempt from the upcoming Bushtucker Trial due to the newcomers. Wary of potential skepticism from her peers, Collins, who lasted merely 72 hours during her 2014 appearance, pleads for a chance, stating: 'Just give me a chance guys, please. I’ve got a different mindset this time, don’t write me off.' She emphasizes her authentic self, adding: 'I’m not here as the GC, I’m not here as the bravado… I’m here as Gemma Collins so it would be nice for you to get to know her as well.'
The High-Stakes Eating Contest Unfolds
The main camp selects Craig Charles for the trial, meaning Collins joins the Savannah Scrub group. Ant and Dec explain the rules: each contestant must declare how many servings they will consume, with the highest bidder required to complete the task to win a star. The menu includes revolting dishes such as:
- Bloody moory shots
- Brain freeze
- Terror-rine
- Fish eye pie
In a preview clip, Ant reveals: 'Let's reveal the meals!' Both Collins and Charles initially opt for ten portions, prompting gasps from campmates, including Seann Walsh's exclamation: 'No way.' When Ant asks if anyone will raise to eleven, Charles picks up a shot, totaling eleven, but Collins escalates to fourteen. Charles counters with fifteen, leading Collins to declare defiantly: 'I'm gonna bang the whole tray.' Charles questions the intensity, asking: 'Have you ramped this up because it doesn't look that bad on the telly?' Dec responds: 'This is the legends!' while Ant reinforces: 'You want to be a Legend? You've got to go big or go home.'
Viewer Reactions to the All Stars Series Launch
The premiere of the All Stars series on Monday sparked confusion among viewers, accustomed to the Australia-set version airing near Christmas. Social media reactions included:
- 'Feel like I need to be putting up my Christmas decorations watching this #ImACeleb.'
- 'Not gonna lie, its a bit weird hearing the #ImACeleb theme tune and it not being almost christmas.'
- 'Watching I’m a celeb without my tree up freaks me out lol!'
Additionally, the launch episode featured humorous moments, such as Emmerdale's Adam Thomas struggling with a puzzle during the Tipped Over The Edge challenge. Despite collecting pieces quickly with Beverley Callard, Thomas took ten minutes to solve the puzzle, losing to Ashley Roberts and Mo Farah. Viewers mocked the scene online, with comments like: '10 minutes to do the puzzle, we love you Adam,' and 'Adam needs a 1 piece puzzle next time.'
Beverley Callard's Fiery Response to Camp Assignment
Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard, 69, expressed fury after boxer David Haye sent her to the basic Savannah Scrub camp. Upon Haye's victory in the Unlucky Lodges challenge, he chose Callard over Scarlett Moffatt, prompting her to retort: 'David you're going to pay for that decision. I'm telling you now.' She later joked: 'Up yours,' and vowed revenge, telling Adam Thomas: 'I've thought about this, I'm gonna chin him.' Fans rallied behind Callard, with one noting: 'I won't accept ANYONE coming for my bev callard.'
As the series progresses, tensions and trials promise to deliver gripping entertainment, with Collins's eating challenge setting a dramatic tone for the South African edition.
