The bush has never trembled harder: ITV has dropped the bombshell lineup for the second series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! All Stars South Africa, promising a savage return to the wild with 12 jungle legends ready to battle for the crown. Filmed under the scorching September sun in 2025 and set to air in April-May 2026 on ITV1 (and STV in Scotland), this all-stars extravaganza ups the ante with no public voting, campmate-decided trials, and challenges so brutal they’re being hailed as “jungle Armageddon” by insiders. From skydiving plunges to rock-climbing vertigo and a swarm of creepy crawlies that’ll make even the toughest hearts quiver, the series – hosted by the irrepressible Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly – is poised to eclipse its debut with more drama, daring, and downright disgust than ever before.

The announcement, teased via a star-studded promo clip that racked up 2.3 million views on X within hours, reunites fan favorites from across I’m a Celeb‘s 20-year history, blending grizzled veterans with quick-exit quitters for a powder keg of personalities. “The campmates really brought their A-game to the first series, so we can’t wait to be back for more trials, challenges and surprises in the beautiful South African landscape,” Ant enthused in a joint statement, while Dec added, “Having a live final is an exciting new twist with viewers choosing their I’m A Celeb legend – and we’ve heard some of these new trials are truly epic, even by jungle standards.” Gone is the UK’s main series’ live format; this pre-recorded spectacle lets campmates vote on who faces the beasts, with eliminations handled internally for maximum bush intrigue. Winners aren’t crowned by votes but by raw skill, bravery, and endurance – a format tweak that’s already sparking bets on who’ll crumble first.

Leading the charge is boxing heavyweight David Haye, 44, whose 2017 stint ended in a dramatic medical exit after a shoulder injury – now he’s back, vowing to “punch through the trials like they’re heavy bags.” Reality TV diva Gemma Collins, 44, infamous for her three-day jungle jaunt in 2014 (complete with a helicopter evacuation), promises redemption: “Last time I was out quicker than a bad date – this time, I’m staying to slay.” Comedian Seann Walsh, 39, who clawed to fifth in 2022 amid scandal-fueled drama, jokes he’s “bringing the laughs and the lunges.” And football legend Harry Redknapp, 78, the 2018 King of the Jungle and early favorite to repeat, quips, “I’m older, but the bushtucker beans keep me young – or at least delusional.”

The cast’s firepower continues with Scarlett Moffatt, 34, the 2016 winner who’s “itching for round two” after calling her first go “amazing.” Emmerdale heartthrob Adam Thomas, 37, holds the record for 12 trials in 2016 and warns, “I’ve faced worse than snakes – but those stars? Bring it.” Olympic gold medalist Sir Mo Farah, 42, fresh from fifth in the pandemic-era Welsh castle series, eyes the crown: “Running 10,000 meters is nothing compared to dodging dung beetles.” Pussycat Dolls siren Ashley Roberts, 44, runner-up in 2012, teases “unfinished business,” while Sinitta, 61, the 2011 screamer who’s “terrified but thrilled,” adds vintage glamour. Red Dwarf star Craig Charles, 61, who bowed out early in 2014 after his brother’s death, returns with resolve: “Last time grief took me – this time, I’m unbreakable.” Ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard, 46, the 2014 first-out flop, laughs, “Round two: No more early baths.” And soap queen Beverley Callard, 68, from the 2020 Welsh wilderness, declares, “Age is just a number – bugs are forever.”

What elevates this series to legendary status? The trials – oh, the trials. Producers at ITV Studios have dialed the dial to “diabolical,” promising “jaw-dropping” evolutions from the first All Stars outing. Expect mid-air agility races where celebs dangle from helicopters over savannah chasms, vertigo-inducing rock climbs up sheer cliffs teeming with scorpions, and plane-jump plunges into crocodile-infested lagoons. The creepy crawly gauntlet gets a brutal upgrade: Imagine stars submerged in pods of hissing spiders, writhing worms, and fermented fish guts, all while solving puzzles under duress. “These aren’t just challenges – they’re character assassins,” teased executive producer Claire Gardiner in a Radio Times exclusive. “We’ve amped the physicality, the fear factor, and the sheer ‘what were we thinking?’ moments. South Africa’s got the perfect backdrop: Vast Kruger landscapes, thundering waterfalls, and wildlife that’ll make your heart stop.”

The format’s twists add fuel to the fire. No viewer votes mean camp dynamics rule – alliances form and fracture in real-time, with eliminations decided by peer pressure rather than phone lines. The new live final – a first for All Stars – lets audiences crown the ultimate survivor from a shortlist, blending bush brutality with broadcast buzz. Filming wrapped in September 2025 amid 35°C heat and elephant herds, with castmates sworn to secrecy under NDAs tighter than a python’s grip. Insiders whisper of “unseen footage” drop-outs and mid-trial meltdowns that could rival the 2018 finale’s bushtucker frenzy.

This isn’t just a sequel; it’s a safari of second chances. The 2024 debut All Stars series, which drew 7.2 million viewers for its finale, resurrected icons like Redknapp and Moffatt, proving nostalgia sells – and scares. South Africa’s wilds, swapped in for the UK’s Gwrych Castle pandemic pivot, offer untamed authenticity: Think zip-lining over hippo pools or bush dinners with lurking leopards. Gardiner revealed the cast was “handpicked for fireworks” – Haye’s alpha clashes with Farah’s endurance, Collins’s diva demands versus Bullard’s banter. “We’re not recycling has-beens; these are unfinished symphonies,” she said. Early odds from Ladbrokes crown Redknapp at 3/1, with Thomas at 5/1 and Farah at 6/1 – but don’t count out wildcard Walsh at 12/1 for a comedy coup.

Fan frenzy is palpable. #ImACelebAllStarsSA trended with 1.4 million posts, from fan-cast fan art of Haye vs. spiders to petitions for a third series. “Gemma Collins back? The Diva is descending – pass the popcorn,” tweeted @CelebObsessed, while @JungleJunkieUK gushed, “Mo Farah in trials? That’s Olympic gold meets gold stars – unmissable.” Backlash? Minimal, save for eco-critics questioning the carbon footprint of fly-in celebs, but ITV counters with offsets via the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

As April 2026 looms, the jungle beckons with brutality and brilliance. Ant and Dec, fresh from their UK series triumph, promise “the most unhinged All Stars yet.” For these legends, it’s not just survival – it’s resurrection. In a world craving escapism, South Africa’s bush delivers: Raw, ridiculous, and riveting. Tune in – if you dare.