As I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here returns to ITV, reigning jungle queen Scarlett Moffatt reveals what she's missed... and what she most definitely hasn't!
I'm a Celebrity's reigning jungle queen Scarlett Moffatt on why she's happy to be heading back to Oz – and how the show has changed her life…
Snakes, bugs, creepy crawlies and, of course, terrified celebrities can mean only one thing: it’s the return of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me out of Here!
Hosts Ant & Dec are back as a new crop of famous faces head into the Australian jungle where, for the next three weeks, they must brave all manner of petrifying bushtucker trials, stomach-churning eating challenges… and each other!
One person who knows exactly how they’ll be feeling is none other than reigning queen of the jungle, Scarlett Moffatt.
"My advice to anyone who’s going in is, if you haven’t watched the show, watch it! I used to watch it and think: 'It can't be that bad' but it really is, so you need to prepare yourself mentally for what's about to happen," says the former Gogglebox star, who now fronts ITV2 spin-off show, I’m a Celebrity: Extra Camp, alongside comic and last year’s runner-up Joel Dommett and long-time host Joe Swash.
TV Times caught up with Scarlett, 27, before she headed Down Under to find out what this year’s I'm a Celebrity has in store…
Do you think it will be strange for you being back in Australia and watching the show but not actually being in camp like last year?
"I am really jealous of the new campmates but I am looking forward to being able to do basic things like wash myself and brush my hair. I only had two showers in camp, so I stunk for the whole time I was in there. And I didn't brush my hair for the full three weeks, so it'll be nice to have fresh hair this time."
We don’t suppose you’ll miss doing the Bushtucker Trials…
"I’m scared of everything and the only reason I did the trials was because I didn't want to let everybody else down in camp. I can go without food myself, I’m not bothered, but the thought of going back into camp afterwards and saying: 'Sorry guys, I couldn’t do a five-minute challenge, so you'll all have to go hungry' I just couldn't deal with that. But I wouldn't do the trials just for giggles – I don't want to eat a deer's bits ever again!"
Scarlett with hosts Ant & Dec after being crowned last year's queen of the jungle
Celebs rumoured to be taking part this time round include former Corrie actor Ryan Thomas – following brother Adam's successful stint last year – German tennis legend Boris Becker and 2016 X Factor finalist Honey G…
"I'd love to see Honey G in a hammock plus she can rap, which would keep morale up in camp. I've always wanted to see a couple or siblings go into camp – it would be interesting to see how they acted with each other and how other people responded to that, so it would mix things up a little bit. The Chuckle Brothers would be great!"
You and your campmates last year all famously got along. Would you like to see that again – or is I’m a Celeb more fun when there’s friction?
"Personally, I like it when everybody gets on. I'm a Celebrity's on during the build-up to Christmas, so I really just want harmony in camp. But I know Joe [Swash, Scarlett’s co-host] is always like: 'Fight, fight, FIGHT!'"
You appeared on Gogglebox with your mum Betty and your dad Mark. Will they be coming out to Australia while you’re hosting Extra Camp?
"My mum's coming out but she’ll be flying back to the UK as she’s got tickets to see Steps in concert – she absolutely loves them – then three days later she's flying back to Oz. My dad and my Gran will be flying out, too. So I'll have all the family out there. Honestly, we're like the Geordie von Trapps – we can't be apart for too long!"
Speaking of Geordies, are you looking forward to reuniting with Ant & Dec following your presenting role alongside them on Saturday Night Takeaway earlier this year?
"Yeah, it's like one big, extended TV family, it's lovely. What's nice is that, when I do see them in Oz this time, it won't be for an horrific trial. We can just have a lovely cup of tea and a natter rather than me asking them: 'Are you going to put me in a cave with rats?!'"
Ant & Dec will once again be bringing us all the goss each night live from camp
You've certainly had a whirlwind year since winning I'm a Celeb. As well as SNT you also fronted C4 dating show Streetmate and now, of course, there's Extra Camp. You must be thrilled with what you've achieved?
"This year really couldn't have gone any better for me and I'm still on cloud nine with it all, it's just been unbelievable. I've basically gone from being an 11-year-old watching I'm a Celeb with my mum and dad to people then watching me and my parents watching it on Gogglebox, to then going into the jungle last year to now hosting Extra Camp and all these other shows. I hope whoever wins has as much luck as me."
Are you a teeny bit reluctant to hand over your jungle crown?
"Not at all. I'm actually really excited about handing the crown over to the next winner. And I hope it's another girl as I'm all for girl power!"
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! starts on Sunday November 19 at 9pm on ITV
