Audience Hails ‘I’m a Celebrity… South Africa’ as “TV Gold”

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 8, 2026 4:34 PM ET

Audience Hails ‘I’m a Celebrity… South Africa’ as “TV Gold”

Two well-known names entered the I’m a Celebrity… South Africa camp as late arrivals on the show’s opening night. Craig Charles arrived first, followed shortly by Gemma Collins. Their appearances sparked chaos and laughter in the Savannah Scrub camp.

Late arrivals and campmates

Craig Charles is best known for his role on Coronation Street. Gemma Collins returns after a brief 2014 stint in the Australian jungle. That earlier exit lasted three days, and Collins said she now sees this as a chance for redemption.

Both joined the Savannah Scrub camp with Adam Thomas, Seann Walsh, and Beverley Callard. The new dynamics were immediate and often theatrical.

Gut Instinct eating challenge

The first major task was a head-to-head eating challenge called “Gut Instinct.” Contestants had to declare how much of each dish they could eat. The higher claim meant eating to win food for campmates.

Gemma managed eight portions of a dish described as “critter canopies.”
Craig later consumed ten portions of bull penis.
Both declined a blended plate of chicken hearts and intestines.
Craig ate a fish-eye pie.
Gemma attempted frozen springbok brain and then vomited.
She later attempted pig testicles, asking Seann Walsh for a back rub.

The instalment ended on a cliffhanger. Both Gemma and Craig were tasked with drinking a tray of blended bull’s heart and bull’s blood shots.

Camp atmosphere and viewer reaction

Campmates rallied around Collins during tense moments. Ant and Dec even led the camp in a singalong to support her.

Fans on X reacted strongly. Many praised Collins’s return and hailed the sequence as “TV Gold.” Viewers also likened Seann Walsh’s massage moment to a potential BAFTA TV Moment.