I’m A Celebrity’s Boy George and Mike Tindall arrive in Australia for show

Boy George cut a colourful figure as he arrived to meet I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on Friday ahead of his appearance on the show.

The singer, 61, arrived on a luxury super yacht in the Australian city of Surfers Paradise, Queensland, showing off his typically flamboyant style in a funky outfit covered in different shapes.

He was joined by former rugby union player Mike Tindall, 44, who was also seen making an entrance by speedboat. 

Meanwhile, Ant and Dec rocked up in style as they donned dark sunglasses and rode on a speedboat before joining the group on the luxury yacht.  

The pair will join three of their fellow cast members – Place in the Sun property expert Scarlette Douglas, Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner, and Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver – as they endure a tough night on a desert island before heading into the jungle camp.

The fivesome will head off to the desolate location off the coast of the Pacific Ocean where they will have to fend for themselves.

George was seen flanked by security as he made his way to a speedboat Marina Mirage, with the star shading himself beneath a large black umbrella.

He appeared in great spirits as he smiled and waved before zooming off to his next destination.

Mike meanwhile looked happy and relaxed as he sported a navy patterned shirt for the occasion.

The royal was all smiled as he chilled out on the boat ahead of starting his jungle experience. 

Ant and Dec later followed and the Geordie duo couldn’t keep the smiles off their faces as they prepared to begin filming scenes, following a two-year absence from Australia.

The pair were surrounded by staff members and security, and were also shielded by umbrellas as they made their way to the smaller boat.

They then cheerfully waved to onlookers as they headed off on the water and went to great the celebrity stars. 

A show insider told The Sun: ‘The first twist will see some celebrities dumped on an island in the Pacific while the rest of the group head into camp.

‘However the beautiful island will not be what it seems and the group of unlucky celebs will face a terrifying night while completely exposed to the elements.

‘They will feel like Robinson Crusoe on the island and it will make the Jungle camp feel like a palace.

‘Bosses are determined that this series will be the biggest yet and viewers will be glued to the screen as the celebs test themselves to the max.’

The remaining members of the cast will take place in the terrifying ‘Walk the Plank’ challenge which has been filmed on top of a huge tower block close to the beach on the Gold Coast.

The task sees the stars teeter along a narrow walkway 32-storeys above the ground before they turn around and come back again after a wait at the end – hopefully without falling off.

Comedian Babatúndé Aléshé was unable to confront his fear of heights and was unable to take part in the Walk The Plank trial which traditionally kicks off the series. 

In a new twist this year there was the addition of a third platform for celebrities to dare the skywalk and the task was renamed The Ledge.

Previous years have seen celebrities compete for more luxury when they enter camp by walking towards the star at the end of the platform, leading many stars to face their crippling fear of heights.

Yet Babatúndé, 34, fell at the first hurdle and after a 45 minute deliberation was unable to complete the task, despite watching Jill Scott and Charlene White take on the challenge.

An onlooker told The Sun: ‘Babetunde was really struggling during The Ledge and everyone felt for him.

‘Jill and Charlene were being really encouraging of Babetunde but to no avail. He stood there thinking and willing himself to do it for almost an hour but in the end he chose not to do it.’

It comes as sportsman Mike Tindall confirmed wife Zara will be flying to Australia to support him ‘if it got to the end’.

The former England rugby ace is the first member of the Royal family to compete in the ITV series, which kicks off on Sunday.

And his appearance has the full backing of Zara, 41, who is King Charles’ niece, but he’s told how the Olympic equestrian star has begged him not to embarrass her with his uncouth eating style.  

Speaking from New South Wales, Australia, Mike, said: ‘We have some work out here so if it got to the end then hopefully, she’d be able to come out.

‘Zara told me to go and be myself, which is all you can be. She said to go enjoy and be yourself.

‘Zara’s biggest worry is how loud I am when I eat. She will be very happy if someone comments about how loud I breathe when I eat because it’s always a point that she brings up.’

Also appearing this year are Love Island star Olivia Attwood and DJ Chris Moyles, Loose Women’s Charlene White and retired England Lioness Jill Scott.  

It was revealed on Tuesday that Matt Hancock is also heading to the Australian jungle as a surprise late arrival.

The MP, who quit as Health Secretary after cheating on his wife during the pandemic with long-term aide Gina Coladangelo, will become the 12th celebrity heading Down Under.

After playing a central role in coordinating the government’s response to Covid, Mr Hancock’s political career has flagged of late, and last week he was snubbed by Rishi Sunak after the new PM dodged his attempt at a greeting outside Tory HQ.  

He becomes the latest in a long list of political figures to try their luck on the ITV reality show, including MPs Nadine Dorries and Lembit Opik, and Boris Johnson’s father, Stanley

ITV bosses have confirmed to MailOnline that this year’s show, which returns to Australia for the first time in two years following the global pandemic on Sunday, will be the toughest ever for celebrities – with 24 trials to face in 21 shows.

Speaking from the Australian jungle, executive producer, Olly Nash, said: ‘We are filming more than we’ve ever done before and there will be more elements over more shows.  

‘In Wales we couldn’t really do stuff that was outside because of the weather and the big storm but this year we can be outside again.

‘We have more big rigs; we have more big, slimy, dirty trials, and a lot more competitive trials. There are 24 this year and there are 21 shows.

‘On the last day the final three each take on a trial. Cyclone is absolutely back.’

I’m A Celebrity begins on Sunday, November 6 2022 at 9pm with a 105 minute special. It will then air every night of the week and both weekend nights after the launch – all at 9pm.