Football Icons Enter the Jungle in I'm A Celebrity South Africa 2026
ITV's hit reality series I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa is poised for a dramatic shakeup as two legendary football figures prepare to join the camp. Harry Redknapp and Jimmy Bullard are confirmed to make their entrance in the upcoming episodes, injecting fresh energy and tension into the already volatile jungle environment.
Preview Teases Major Arrivals
At the conclusion of Friday night's broadcast, a tantalizing preview clip revealed that Redknapp and Bullard will be entering the camp, much to the astonishment of the current celebrities. The full reveal is scheduled for Monday's episode, where viewers will witness their official jungle debut.
An ITV spokesperson emphasized the impact of their arrival, stating: 'Camp life as the celebrities know it is about to drastically change with the late arrival of two new campmates, Harry Redknapp and Jimmy Bullard, in Monday's episode.'
Immediate Conflict Erupts
The new arrivals have already sparked significant controversy behind the scenes. Sources indicate that Jimmy Bullard, 47, has clashed violently with Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas, 37, resulting in the pair no longer being on speaking terms.
According to insiders, Thomas 'totally lost it' following a challenging Bushtucker Trial, unleashing a torrent of abuse at Bullard that left the entire camp stunned. 'He started screaming at Jimmy, calling him every name under the sun,' revealed a source to The Sun. 'It was completely unexpected and deeply shocked the other campmates.'
The incident reportedly stemmed from Thomas's intensely competitive nature during his jungle return, with frustration over the trial's outcome triggering his explosive outburst.
Salary Dispute Adds Fuel to Fire
Further tension surrounds the financial arrangements for the celebrities' participation. Bullard is said to be 'furious' upon discovering that former manager Harry Redknapp, 79, is receiving a substantially higher fee for his appearance.
'However, Harry is considered one of the biggest names of the South Africa series,' explained a source. 'He also loves spending time at home with wife Sandra, and it would have taken a big fee for him to spend time in South Africa without her.'
Historical context reveals Redknapp's premium status: in 2018, he commanded £500,000 for his jungle appearance, placing him among the highest-paid campmates ever. More recent participants like Nigel Farage and Coleen Rooney have reportedly earned up to £1.5 million.
In contrast, Bullard's initial 2014 appearance netted him approximately £100,000, though he previously claimed he would have participated 'for nothing' given the opportunity.
Football History Revisited
The relationship between Redknapp and Bullard extends back to their football careers. In 1999, Redknapp signed Bullard to West Ham United for £20,000, though the player's tenure with the club proved brief, concluding at the end of the 2000-01 season.
Now reunited in the jungle, both men will be hoping for greater success in this unconventional arena.
Unique Format and Upcoming Finale
This South Africa edition features a distinct format departure from the original series. Rather than public voting determining eliminations, the campmates themselves decide who leaves the jungle through internal voting.
The competition will culminate in a live finale broadcast from London on Friday, April 24, where hosts Ant and Dec will crown the next Jungle Legend. This follows Myleene Klass's victory in the 2023 All Stars edition.
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa continues nightly at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, promising escalating drama as the competition intensifies toward its dramatic conclusion.
