I'm A Celebrity Legends Confront 'Trauma Bonding' Trials, Leaning on Sir Mo Farah for Survival
In the upcoming series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, the returning legends faced challenges so intense they resulted in what campmates describe as 'trauma bonding,' with Sir Mo Farah stepping up as an unexpected hero. The Olympian, known for his track prowess, proved indispensable in the South African jungle, where the 12 celebrities were pushed to their absolute limits during filming last year.
Sir Mo Farah: The Unlikely Camp Saviour
Speaking ahead of the show's launch, campmates Ashley Roberts and Scarlett Moffatt heaped praise on Sir Mo, crediting him with their very survival. Ashley, the Pussycat Doll turned radio host, revealed that without Mo, the group might have starved. "If we didn't have Mo, I don't think any of us would have eaten," she stated, emphasizing this was no exaggeration. "If Mo was not in camp, we would not have been able to survive." Scarlett echoed this sentiment, noting that Mo volunteered for trials and handled camp duties like fire-making and cooking, which she believes kept them from being stranded.
Sir Mo, 43, who previously appeared in the Welsh castle edition, admitted the culinary challenges were daunting. "It was challenging at times because we were like, 'Is that all we've got? What are we going to do with this?'" he said. Despite this, he modestly downplayed his role, insisting everyone contributed, especially during trials aimed at winning food stars. "I wasn't a hero. I was just taking one for the team. We're there together supporting one another," he explained, highlighting the importance of teamwork in maintaining morale.
Fallouts and Friction Among Campmates
This series promises plenty of drama, with fallouts reportedly abundant among the diverse cast, which includes Harry Redknapp, Beverley Callard, Adam Thomas, Gemma Collins, Jimmy Bullard, David Haye, Seann Walsh, Sinitta, and Craig Charles. Scarlett, 35, described the atmosphere as less harmonious than her first stint, attributing this to the strong personalities involved. "If we'd all just got on the whole time when we had such big characters, I don't think anyone would have believed it," she remarked, suggesting the conflicts will make for compelling television.
Scarlett often found herself oblivious to the rows, sometimes only realizing an argument was happening from her hammock. "Half the time I had no idea what had caused the row," she admitted, adding she's eager to watch the show to understand the dynamics. Mo acknowledged that hunger and lack of comforts like sugar and coffee frayed nerves, but he saw it as entertainment. "When you're hungry, when you haven't eaten, you're on the edge and that's what makes good TV, right?" he said, often choosing to observe rather than intervene.
Thrilling Challenges and Camaraderie
The challenges were nothing short of terrifying. In the series opener, Mo and Ashley must complete a jigsaw while balanced on a seesaw platform 140 feet high, with one misstep risking a deadly fall. Another trial involved Mo being thrown from a plane while Ashley and Scarlett were dunked in gunk, which Scarlett called "the most bizarre thing ever." Despite the hardships, camaraderie flourished. Scarlett noted they were "trauma-bonded together," which strengthened their resolve. "We were surviving, not thriving," she summarized.
Lighthearted moments provided relief, such as boxer David Haye's frequent nudity in the jungle shower. Ashley joked that fans of his 2012 appearance would enjoy "a little sequel," while Scarlett quipped, "I think I saw more of David's butt than I saw of my own in there." For her part, Ashley faced her deep phobia of snakes during a trial, but it left her more traumatized than before. "I'm still traumatised, probably more now actually than even before," she confessed, unable to watch clips of the experience.
Reflections on the Experience
Mo expressed fond memories of the South African setting, preferring it over the cold Welsh version. "Honestly, we enjoyed it. South Africa was special. Looking back at bits of it now, it was epic," he said. Scarlett felt this series was distinct from her 2016 Australian adventure, describing it as a "weird social experiment" where she often forgot cameras were rolling, allowing for unfiltered behavior. "I think that's the best way to be, because otherwise you'd spend all your time editing yourself," she concluded.
I'm A Celebrity... South Africa premieres this Monday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, promising a blend of high-stakes challenges, emotional bonds, and explosive entertainment.
