I’m A Celebrity 2025 officially launches tonight (November 16), as ten well-known contestants prepare to battle for the luxuries of jungle life — including a soft bed, a proper meal and, most importantly, early dominance in the first challenges of the new series.

Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are once again at the centre of the action, guiding the celebrities through what promises to be three intense weeks of discomfort, creepy-crawlies and emotional breakdowns. According to BBC News, this year’s lineup has already generated strong public interest thanks to its mix of TV favourites, musicians and sports personalities (BBC News).

But before anyone can settle into their hammocks or unpack their kitbags, the first episode throws them directly into fear-facing mode — and the preview clips show that producers have dialed up the difficulty even further than previous seasons, a move that The Guardian notes has become a signature of the show’s evolving format (The Guardian).

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I’m A Celebrity Tonight – First Look at a High-Stakes Jungle Race

ITV released a dramatic teaser ahead of the premiere, offering a glimpse of the celebrities meeting each other for the first time before plunging straight into their inaugural challenge. The clip reveals a mix of excitement, shock and pure panic as the stars learn that their jungle journey begins in mid-air.

Five contestants — Kelly Brook, Aitch, Martin Kemp, Eddie Kadi and Shona McGarty — are shown soaring above a pristine white beach in a helicopter. Down below, Ant and Dec wave them in with their trademark cheeky grins before delivering the bombshell: the only way to reach the beach is to skydive.

Kelly Brook’s expression of disbelief is unmistakable, and the moment mirrors past contestant reactions from earlier seasons, which Radio Times describes as “classic I’m A Celeb adrenaline drama” (Radio Times). Seconds later, all five are seen free-falling toward the hosts, marking the first adrenaline-charged set piece of the season.

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The Race for Comfort: The Getaway Car Challenge

Once the five skydivers hit the sand, they’re told they’ll be competing for two coveted seats in the Getaway Car, the quickest and most luxurious route into camp. These seats come with serious perks: the most comfortable sleeping spots, a steak dinner, and a cocktail-and-canapé chauffeured arrival.

The challenge is brutal. Celebrities position themselves around a giant star-shaped structure, where they must slog through offal and thick slime to retrieve five tools needed to unlock bolts securing the key fob for the Getaway Car. According to Metro UK, similar endurance-and-gross-factor challenges have become fan favourites in recent years (Metro UK).

With tension mounting, only two contestants from this group will ride into camp in style. The other three? They’re headed straight for the dreaded Cockie Van, a notorious bug-infested vehicle chauffeured by none other than Kiosk Kev.

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Meanwhile… A Luxury Villa Turns Into a Nightmare

While the skydiving team fights for survival, the remaining celebrities — Ruby Wax, influencer Angry Ginge, Lisa Riley, Jack Osbourne and Alex Scott — arrive at a luxurious villa. But long-time viewers know luxury never lasts.

After relaxing momentarily on sun loungers, the group is suddenly confronted with two ominous boxes filled with green ants. To retrieve the key fob, they must insert their hands into the ant-filled boxes and unscrew bolts. The twist? Their heads are trapped inside separate boxes at the same time — and soon snakes are added inside those headboxes to ramp up the terror.

The challenge requires steady nerves and blind determination as the stars attempt to win the final two seats in the Getaway Car. Those who fail will be resigned to the Cockie Van, joining the other unlucky participants for the critter-packed ride to camp.

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Winners vs. Cockie Van Riders

Eventually, the victorious celebrities from both challenges reunite at the villa, toasting their success with cocktails before being escorted to camp in comfort. Their prize includes the softest beds and a hearty steak dinner — luxuries that The Guardian notes have a significant psychological impact in the early days of the show (The Guardian).

The remaining six celebrities, however, must pile into the Cockie Van. And as expected, they’re not traveling alone — the van is crawling with an assortment of jungle critters, ensuring their journey is far from pleasant. For many past contestants, the Cockie Van has become a symbol of “initiation by terror,” as described in BBC News’ retrospective coverage (BBC News).

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Fan Excitement Reaches Fever Pitch

Ahead of the premiere, viewers have taken to social media to share their enthusiasm.

• “I can’t wait!” one excited fan wrote on X.

• “Happy I’m A Celeb Day to all who celebrate!” another posted.

• A third declared: “The day has finally arrived!!! My favourite show is BACK.”

With anticipation building and the stakes higher than ever, the 2025 series promises a mix of chaos, laughter, fear — and unforgettable TV moments.