High jinks as celebrities make jungle entrance

I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! stars made a spectacular arrival in the Australian rainforest ahead of tonight’s launch of the reality show.

The 10 celebrities reportedly endured a terrifying introduction to this year’s contest, with half skydiving into the camp and the rest walking a tightrope.

Carol Thatcher, the 52-year-old daughter of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, will rough it with ex-Atomic Kitten singer Jenny Frost, 27, two former EastEnders actors Elaine Lordan, 39, and Sid Owen, 33, and wine expert Jilly Goolden, 48.

Ex-Blue singer Antony Costa, 24, entertainer Jimmy Osmond, 42, antiques expert David Dickinson, 64, Kimberley Davies, 32, who played Annalise Hartman in Neighbours, and former Emmerdale star Sheree Murphy, 30, have also signed up for the ITV1 ratings-winner.

Co-executive producer Richard Cowles has already warned that this year’s show is “all about surprises”.

He said: “From the moment the celebrities step into the helicopter and set off for camp they shouldn’t take anything for granted and they can expect things to be a lot tougher than anything they saw in previous years.”

William Hill says the start of the jungle show coupled with last night’s X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing mean more money will be wagered over the weekend than at any time since television betting started.

The bookmaker’s spokesman Rupert Adams said: “We have seen an unprecedented amount wagered already and are expecting over £5 million to be punted this weekend.”

He said they were having to draft in extra staff to cope with the expected demand tonight.

Sid Owen is favourite to be crowned King of the Jungle at 3-1 but Bargain Hunt presenter David Dickinson has had his odds cut from 6-1 to 4-1 following strong support for the permanently tanned antiques expert.

Carol Thatcher, Jilly Goolden and Elaine Lordon have got the longest odds at 14-1.

William Hill’s odds for winner of I’m a Celebrity in full are: Sid Owen 3-1, David Dickinson 6-1, Sheree Murphy 13-2, Antony Costa 8-1, Kimberley Davies 9-1, Jimmy Osmond 9-1, Jenny Frost 12-1, Jilly Goolden 14-1, Elaine Lordon 14-1 and Carol Thatcher 14-1.

Coral’s odds for potential winners are Sid Owen 10-3, Sheree Murphy 9-2, David Dickinson 5-1, Kimberley Davies 5-1, Antony Costa 11-2, Jenny Frost 13-2, Jimmy Osmond 14-1, Carol Thatcher 14-1, Elaine Lordan 16-1, Jilly Goolden 16-1.