I’m A Celebrity viewers reel ‘enough is enough’ as star ‘disappears’ from show

ITV viewers saw some familiar faces head back into the jungle as I’m A Celebrity South Africa returned to screens.

Ant and Dec were back to welcome the returning faces to the ITV show(Image: ITV)

I’m a Celebrity viewers were less than impressed during the first episode of the South Africa series as one fan-favourite didn’t appear in the episode despite being shown in the teasers all week.

Fan-favourites from past I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! series are back in a bid to claim the title of jungle legend. On Monday night, ITV viewers saw hosts Ant and Dec welcome some familiar faces to South Africa as the former campmates were thrown straight into the deep end.

Actor Adam Thomas, Ashley Roberts, Sir Mo Farah and Beverley Callard were the first stars to arrive and meet the Geordie duo on the top of a high cliff ledge.

Split into two teams, they had to battle it out by collecting puzzle pieces from the ledge to build a star while strapped back-to-back with their teammate. The team that completes the star in the fastest time wins.

However, when they got closer to the cliff’s ledge, the ledge would tip like a see-saw, meaning if they went too far, they’d be sent over the edge, hurtling into the drop below. In the end, it was Mo and Ashley who won, sending Adam to Savannah Scrub, the smaller basic camp.

The celebrities were tasked with completing a puzzle back to back in the first episode(Image: ITV)

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Although the remainder of the stars joined the campmates later on in the episode, including Scarlett Moffatt, Seann Walsh, David Haye, and Sinitta, two famous faces were noticeably absent.

People were quick to notice Gemma Collins’ absence before she made an appearance at the end of the show alongside Craig Charles. The pair were shown in a preview for Tuesday night’s episode where they will go head-to-head in an eating trial with Craig.

She could be heard admitting: “This is a far cry from Essex! I’m ready for you.”

Gemma is seen in tears in the trailer for I’m A Celeb South Africa(Image: YOUTUBE/ITV)

Viewers were less than impressed by their late arrival, as many issued the same complaint, as one person said: “I’m bored WHERE IS GEMMA COLLINS!?!?!?!? #ImACeleb”

Someone else added: “We’ve sat through 90 minutes with no sign of our Gemma.”

One viewer commented: “Just bring the GC in already I’m getting bored.” Another person added: “The producers gate keeping the GC until tomorrows episode #imaceleb.”

Someone else shared: “Where is the GC?? Are you telling me I waited the whole ep for nothing?#imaceleb.” While another person reeled: “I’m watching this sh**e for the GC and the GC only. What’s going on.”

Gemma is making her return after appearing in the jungle back in 2014(Image: ITV)

Ahead of her return, Gemma, who starred in the series back in 2014 and lasted a mere 72 hours, confessed her comeback is her redemption.

She said: “Going on All Stars is a real moment for me in my career – it’s redemption. To be able to do this again is the greatest honour ever.

“I am going to be the best campmate and get those stars. None of us will be starving under my watch.”

I’m a Celebrity… South Africa which airs every weeknight at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV Player & STV.