I'm A Celebrity teams race across snake-infested island in first challenge

The new I’m A Celebrity contestants started their jungle journies with a bang this weekend when they were dumped on an island for their first challenge.

As usual, the line-up has been split in to two teams, with David Haye, Helen Flanagan, Brian Conley, Charlie Brooks and Linda Robson forming ‘Croc Creek‘, while Nadine Dorries, Colin Baker, Eric Bristow, Hugo Taylor and Ashley Roberts became ‘Snake Rock‘. However, in a new twist, this year each group is unaware of which stars are on the opposing side.

Shortly after meeting each other over fruit cocktails, the teams were unceremoniously whisked away to a barren, snake and tic-infested island, and deposited on opposite sides. With only walking boots, a GPS system and a set of instructions at their disposal, the teams had to race each other across the island to a helicopter. The winners were allowed to enjoy one last night of luxury before making their way in to camp – while the losers had to bed down on the island overnight.

Snake Rock elected to make Ashley their leader – a decision which pleased Eric, who mused: “It’s not everyday you get a lead in the bush by a blonde.” Hugo was also impressed by the former Pussycat Doll, gushing: “Ashley is the most positive person you’ve ever met on the planet.”

The Snake Rock team (minus Hugo who was on his way to the Bushtucker Trial) found a boat and some instructions by the edge of a lake. Ashley read “Use this boat to navigate across the lake. You will need to work as a team because you have 45 minutes to reach the far side. Failure to reach your destination will have immediate repercussions.” Ashley, Nadine, Eric and Colin launched the small rowing boat into the water as Nadine took charge.

Nadine acted as cox in the boat instructing her fellow team mates to row in rhythm. The boat floundered and spun around in circles but eventually the four worked as a team and the boat started moving in the right direction. But the camp mates had wasted too much time early on and the boat started to sink, depositing its occupants in the cold water before it was completely submerged. The four camp mates emerged from the freezing water, cold and bedraggled, a far cry from their regular lifestyles.

You can find out who wins by tuning in to tonight’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here launch show, at 9.00pm on ITV1.