a place for all the latest news for the 2007 series

Celebs to be fed crocodile penis

If you thought previous "bushtacker trials" in I'm A Celebrity were hard to swallow, then this series promises a mouthful like no other.

Contestants this time around - including model Gemma Atkinson and The Apprentice villainess Katie Hopkins - will be told to tuck into crododile genitals.

Twelve crocodile penises were transferred to the Outback base yesterday as the new series looms.

Last year only eventual winner Matt Willis, ex of Busted, had to eat one - but this series, all 12 contestants are expected to indulge.

Lilian Lever, owner of the Koorana Crocodile Farm in Coowonga, Queensland, would only say: 'We do supply 'We do supply "bits" of the crocs for the TV show. I can't say any more.'

Other contenders expected to take part include Chris Tarrant's ex-wife Ingrid.

Show hosts Ant and Dec flew to Australia yesterday, with what should be the increasingly anxious contestants likely to join up tomorrow.

The ITV1 show starts next Monday.

Metro, 06/11/07.

PUNK pioneer Malcolm McLaren claims ITV bosses have BLACKMAILED him into appearing on I’m A Celebrity.

The Sex Pistols producer said chiefs hinted they would only air an axed show he appeared on if he joins the jungle cast.

The Baron, which hunted for a celebrity Scottish Baron, was dumped after co-star comic Mike Reid died this year.

Malcolm, who initially quit Celeb talks two weeks ago, said: “I feel I’ve been bullied into doing this.

“Part of the contractual obligations was that they would screen the show.”

But the 61-year-old revealed he will sign tomorrow – and vowed to live up to his punk past.

He said: “I doubt I’ll let viewers down. I’m a very obnoxious creature.”

The Sun, 09/11/07.

THE FINAL LINE-UP HAS BEEN REVEALED BY ITV.

Jason Brown
Marc Bannerman
John Burton Race
Rodney Marsh
Malcolm McLaren
Gemma Atkinson
Anna Ryder Richardson
Cerys Matthews
Janice Dickinson
Lynne Franks

Don't know who some of them are? Read their full biographies, details of their strengths & weaknesses etc at the ITV site:

Click here.

I'LL BE A JUNGLE BARE-DEVIL

SEXY Gemma Atkinson wants to strip off and shower under the jungle trees—just like Myleene Klass.

Ex-soap star Gemma, 22, says she can't wait to get hot and steamy in Oz after Myleene sent temperatures soaring on last year's I'm A Celeb.

She assured her army of male admirers: "I WILL be jumping in the shower."

The 34E beauty—who this year dated twinkle-toed Man Utd winker Cristiano Ronaldo—also spoke of her greatest fear as she prepares to enter the snake and bug infested jungle...how she'll cope for three weeks without sex.

She grinned: "I have gone longer than three weeks in the past, so I suppose I'll manage." ...

If you're interested in the full article, with the predictable pictures, click here, NOTW, 11/11/07.

WE RUMBLE BEAUTY AS STARS GET READY FOR BUSHTUCKER FUN
By Emma Donnan

Welsh babe Cerys Matthews confessed that her painful split from her husband earlier this year was behind her decision to go to the jungle.

Singer Cerys, 38, split with music producer Seth Riddle and fled their home in Tennessee to be with her family in west Wales.

The heartbroken star, who admits she's now looking for her Tarzan in the jungle, said: "My break-up was a factor in my decision. It is an opportunity to be a little crazy.

"I had a lot of cards in the air, so I figured I'd throw the rest of the pack up there to see what happens."

But she's not too keen on stripping off for the hit show like last year's winner, Myleene Klass.

The former frontwoman of Britpop band Catatonia nervously admitted: "I have bikinis with me and you will see me in the shower, but I'm a bit scared to put my bikini on. I've a beautiful scarlet one in case I get lost in the jungle. It's the opposite of camouflage."

Former soccer star Rodney Marsh confessed he has not had sex for THREE YEARS so has no fears a bout dealing with sexual frustration in the jungle.

He said: "I've lasted for the last three years without sex so three weeks will be nothing."

The People, 11/11/07.

Gorgeous Gemma is the hot 9/2 favourite to win the show.

But bookies have been forced to slash the odds on Rodney Marsh to 8/1 after an internet punter staked £1,000 on the football legend.

Former EastEnders star Marc Bannerman and 5ive singer Jason Brown are both 11/2.

Other odds: Cerys Matthews 7/1, Anna Ryder Richardson 10/1, Malcolm McLaren 10/1, Janice Dickinson 16/1, John Burton Race 20/1, Lynn Franks 25/1, Any Other 4/1.

The People, 11/11/07.

Malcolm McLaren has pulled out of the show. He flew out to Australia but for no reason given has declined to take part...

I doubt he needed the half a million which was on offer. B)

5 BEDS FOR 10 Jungle CELEBS

I'm A Celebrity chiefs are trying to orchestrate a steamy rumble in the jungle - by only providing five beds for the 10 contestants ...

Full article, Sunday Mirror, 11/11/07.

Here we go. This is utter rubbish and I hope it's not true. Trying to force a romance with this sort of rubbish is what ruined BB8.

I do not watch IAC for romance. If it happens, than it's OK but no manipulation, PLEASE.

POP stars Right Said Fred are in a luxury Oz hotel - waiting to go in the jungle.

By SARA NATHAN
and PETE SAMSON

Brothers Richard and Fred Fairbrass secretly jetted in, a show source admitted last night.

They’re staying at the posh Palazzo Versace hotel until they go on the ITV1 reality show.

But the source said: “We’re not sure yet when they’ll go in.

“We’ve only just sent Christopher Biggins in, so we have to wait and see what happens in the camp.”

But Richard and Fred - famed for their 1991 smash-hit song I’m Too Sexy - may not have long to wait.

Mouthy supermodel Janice Dickinson is already talking about quitting. After failing yet another task, she said: “What if I flip out - do I forfeit the show?”

The source said: “Janice is worrying producers. She looks like she’s losing the plot.

“We had to give Natalie Appleton her prescribed pills to calm her down - we may have to do the same for Janice.”

She angered campmates by flunking the live trial - even with Biggins’ help.

Janice wretched as she refused to put her hand in a rat-infested tree trunk.

She did put her head in a Perspex box filled with spiders - but then chickened out of a box full of snakes.

Even hosts Ant and Dec looked worried as Janice sobbed and shrieked.

The Sun, 17/11/07.

BOOKIES cut Christopher Biggins’ odds as punters continued to back him to win.

The pantomine dame is 9/4 favourite at William Hill, followed by Janice at 4/1.

Bets on a couple getting steamy closed as Marc and Cerys got closer.

But odds on Marc’s girlfriend Sarah dumping him are 1/2.

A spokesman said: “Marc’s in for a frosty reception when he leaves.”

Ladbrokes also think Christopher will win, cutting his odds from 5/2 to 7/4.

The Sun, 21/11/07.

Marc went out last night and in deep poo poo with girlfriend ..

Quite a shock that was.

I'm so pleased that the voters didn't keep him in there just to see if a romance were to develop between him & a fellow contestant. That's what has beenm happening in BB in recent years & it's boring.

Yes, Bannerman's girlfriend is right to be annoyed.

I did feel sorry for Marc's girlfriend, she has faced a public torture / humiliation and I expect she will have a few choice words...
Getting voted out though has possibly saved his relationship.

Mark Bannerman voted out.

... Marc said he was in “shock” after discovering actress Sarah, 33, had returned to Britain. He looked close to tears as he said: “I’m going to have to apologise. I’ve embarrassed Sarah and myself.” ...

Full article, the Sun, 22/11/07.

Right said fred was told they wont be going in know they are on there way home fuming.

EVICTED Katie Hopkins strolled out of the jungle - and ripped into her old campmates.

In an exclusive interview, the I’m A Celebrity star last night ...

Quite funny, full article, the Sun, 23/11/07.

Jungle Marc beat me up

Marc Bannerman's devastated girlfriend last night revealed that she has dumped the jungle rat for good - and told how he viciously beat her up during their tempestuous two year relationship ...

Full article, Sunday Mirror, 25/11/07.

yes i would stay for two years with some one that beat me up NOT.

TV chef John Burton Race has learned his estranged wife closed his £1.2m restaurant while he was in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.

Kim, 42, told the 20 staff of the New Angel restaurant in Devon that they had lost their jobs and were given their P45s on Monday night.

A notice, with the chef's mobile number, was put on the restaurant door, stating: "It is with deep regret that as of Tuesday 27th November 2007 the New Angel restaurant and rooms will cease trading. Please direct all inquiries to John Burton Race."

Burton Race, who became the fourth contestant to be evicted from the jungle, found out the news when he received a call from his Queensland hotel room.

He said: "None of that is right. I didn't know the restaurant was closed or that there was a note in the window. The decision to close the restaurant was not made by me. I have got nothing more to say."

The couple have been involved in a bitter divorce battle over the last year. Mrs Burton Race refused to comment on Tuesday.

However, she had said previously that the Michelin star restaurant, which has been valued at £1,250,000, would be sold to fund the divorce settlement.


Whoops :)

Biggins wins I'm A Celebrity
By Nicola Methven

Christopher Biggins wept uncontrollably last night as he was crowned King of the Jungle.

The flamboyant actor - backed all the way by the Mirror - beat Janice Dickinson into second place after Jason "J" Brown was the first finalist voted out.

As campmates congratulated Chris, he said: "I have achieved so much. I've made such wonderful friends."

But as he took his place on the jungle throne, the 59-year-old laughed: "How embarrassing."

He told hosts Ant and Dec: "It was just the best. Fabulous friends. The things one did, it's worth so much. My health has got better, thank you so much.

"I'm really shocked and thrilled. Thank you Great Britain for voting."

An ecstatic Biggins walked out of the jungle to be greeted by his partner Neil Sinclair, 44. The couple wed in a civil partnership at Hackney Register Office in 2006.

Biggins' victory means a six figure hammering for bookies William Hill.

Spokesman Rupert Adams said: "It could not have been worse, after this I may find myself doing panto."

As Janice emerged from the jungle in shades, she said: "I'm grateful to the guys in the UK."

The former supermodel, 52, admitted: "This was the most difficult thing I've experienced."

And third-placed J was upbeat, saying: "I wanted to step outside stuff you do in your normal life and I did."

Meanwhile, Cerys Matthews admitted she is ready for a relationship with Marc Bannerman and was gutted he was not there when she left.

Marc had sent her a letter on the show saying he would still be in Australia.

Cerys, voted out late on Thursday, said yesterday: "I have feelings for Marc. I'm overwhelmed and a little bit nervous.

"Getting a letter from him in there really blew my mind. I'm a little bit gutted he's not here to see me now."

In fact, Marc had rushed back to the UK to placate his girlfriend Sarah Matravers, who was distraught at seeing him flirt with the singer. Cerys, 38, said: "Marc is a genuine nice guy, very sweet. I had a lot of time for him in there.

"Actually I think it's probably a very good idea he isn't here. Things in the jungle are intense."

Asked if she wanted to see Marc, 34, again, Cerys said: "Yeah, definitely."

She explained that despite the mutual attraction they had "pulled back a little" for fear of hurting Sarah, 33, his girlfriend of two years.

Cerys told GMTV how she decided to take part in the show after splitting from her American husband Seth Riddle.

"I got divorced in July," she said. "I'm A Celebrity was a chance to be a little crazy."

Yesterday, Marc refused to comment on Cerys or Sarah.

Mirror, 01/12/07.

MY CELEB LIFE BY CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS

... As he savoured his TV triumph, Biggins spoke openly for the first time about his life of incredible highs and gut-wrenching lows ...

Full interview, Sunday Mirror, 02/12/07.

I'M a Celeb runner-up JANICE DICKINSON gives her opinion on her jungle mates ...

Just click on the individual pictures ...

Full article, the Sun, 03/12/07.

Janice's full story is here, the Sun, 03/12/07.

I was abit dissapointed in what she said about Anna who and about Biggins if true.

I agree on that one.

Sarah's HIV Concerns

Thought the Marc Bannerman/ Sarah Matravers/ Cerys Matthews love triangle had reached its peak?

Think again.

Sarah has revealed that she believes Marc may have cheated on her before his jungle visit.

Talking to Grazia magazine, Sarah claimed she will be taking an HIV test following allegations he slept with a barmaid.

She said: "I worry that, if everything is true, he may have had unprotected sex with other women. I'm going to have tests in case I've caught anything - for everything, including HIV."

In a separate interview with Closer magazine, Sarah vented her spleen about Cerys and Marc: "This is a man she (Cerys) has only known for a week, a man who she knew had a girlfriend. It's either incredibly cold-hearted or incredibly screwed up."

"They deserve each other. I hope they rot in hell."

Ananova, 05/12/07.

Cerys: Love with Marc is all hype
By Nick Dorman

I'm A Celebrity star Cerys Matthews yesterday hinted her romance with love rat Marc Bannerman is on the rocks - and was hyped up to start with.

She got together with former EastEnder Marc, 34, after they flirted in the jungle on TV last year when was still with his ex-girlfriend.

But asked whether she had a future with Marc, the ex-Catatonia singer replied: "I don't want to go into it."

And the divorced mum of two - who has battled drink and drugs in the past - admitted they exaggerated their romance during interviews. Cerys, 38, said: "It's like a modern Mills and Boon so as long as the people who buy it, myself included, don't expect the gospel truth it's not really that important, is it?"

And she also revealed her dad recently begged her to quit the limelight - but she refused. Cerys said: "Well, I know it's been crazy with people hanging around the house and all but I just don't want to."

The People, 17/02/08.