Gemma Collins and Craig Charles face eating challenge on I’m A Celebrity

By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter

Gemma Collins and Craig Charles will take on a gruelling eating challenge in their first bushtucker trial on tonight’s episode of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa.

In a sneak peek at Tuesday’s show, the duo take on the trial “gut instincts”, where they are faced with dishes such as fish eye pie and brain freeze as they try to win points for their opposing teams.

Collins, 45, who appeared on the show in 2014 but quit after three days as she struggled with the environment, told her new campmates she has “a different mindset this time” as she made her debut on the all-star show.

Former The Only Way Is Essex star Collins makes her late entrance on the show on Tuesday after it was teased at the end of Monday’s episode, and insists it is her “redemption”.

She is joined by Red Dwarf star Charles, who also took part in the 2014 series but withdrew just days in, after finding out his brother Dean had died.

Actor and comedian Charles, 61, jokes: “I could’ve handled anything 11 years ago. Now, I can hardly tie my shoelaces.”

The pair meet their new campmates as they prepare to take on their trial, and as Collins is revealed to the group she says: “Just give me a chance guys, please. I’ve got a different mindset this time, don’t write me off.”

“I’m not here as the GC, I’m not here as the bravado… I’m here as Gemma Collins, so it would be nice for you to get to know her as well,” she added.

During the trial, the duo must decide how many servings of each dish they wish to consume, with the player who commits to the highest number of servings forced to follow through in order to win a point.

When Charles is confronted with his dish, he asks presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly: “Have you ramped this up because it doesn’t look that bad on the telly?”

To which McPartlin quips: “You want to be a legend? You’ve got to go big or go home.”

The reality series spin-off is pre-recorded, unlike the classic I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, and will see celebrities compete against one another to be crowned the legend.

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa can be seen at 9pm on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player, and will air on weeknights.