African ‘jungle’ gets real
Australia's Network Ten is in SA, and bringing a potential slew of famous faces from Down Under to what they call "the African jungle", but at the same time, production for the new season of I'm A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! will cause closures at the picturesque Swadini Nature Reserve, which is part of the Blyde River canyon.
Melissa Joan Hart
The Aussie version of the British reality show I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! will be filmed in Mpumalanga with 10 big-name celebrities competing to win A$250 000 (R2.35 million) for their favourite charity.
On top of that, comediane Julia Morris and hunky Chris Brown of Discovery Channel’s popular Bondi Vet will host the Australian version of the show.
The two presenters will be responsible for bringing this live, noisy and highly interactive show to Australian viewers every weeknight, when broadcasts of the show start on Network Ten this year.
Network Ten chief programming officer, Beverley McGarvey said: “We could not have imagined a better duo to host I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! Julia and Chris are dynamic, passionate and intelligent people who will bring a unique flair, humour and kind-heartedness to the show. As hosts, they complement each other perfectly.”
Brown also shared his enthusiasm for spending time on the African continent. “The idea of spending some time in Africa always excites me, but when that means being at the helm of something as fun and fascinating as I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!, then it’s a dream come true. I personally can’t wait to get up close to wildlife, like lions, giraffes and leopards once again, the chance to work with the wildest of them all. Julia Morris has me ready to make the great migration over there right now.”
For the show, 10 celebrities will leave their homes, families and luxuries behind and will be challenged to cope with the African wildlife in a constant series of challenges and tests, basic rations and the clashing personalities of their fellow campmates.
Which celebs will be taking part, however, has been kept under wraps. ITV Australia chief Anita Jacoby said among the 10 contestants taking up residence in the SA jungle next month would be “an Australian Football League Hall of Fame legend and superstar, a fashion icon and TV royalty”.
Rumours include former Sabrina star, Melissa Joan Heart, and model Elle Macpherson (pictured) could take part in the show.
