Holly Willoughby's ‘I’m A Celebrity’ Debut Gets Mixed Reviews, But One Thing Viewers Do Agree On Is That They All Miss Ant

'Holly and Dec will never be Ant and Dec but she's an amazing replacement.'
|

Holly Willoughby’s ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ debut on Sunday night generated mixed reviews from viewers of the ITV show.

But one thing everyone agreed on was that they missed regular host Ant McPartlin.

Holly is presenting the jungle-based reality show alongside Ant’s usual partner in crime Declan Donnelly as Ant continues his recovery following his arrest for drink driving, which resulted in an £86,000 fine and a driving ban.

Open Image Modal
Holly Willoughby and Declan Donnel
Rex

Holly was first confirmed for the show back in August, saying at the time: “I couldn’t be more excited to have been asked to stand alongside Dec for the next jungle adventure.

“I love Ant and want to send him my best wishes and support for a continued recovery. These are big shoes, not to fill, but just to keep warm for a little bit...

“When is it a good time to tell Dec I’m scared of everything that moves?!”

Open Image Modal
Ant (left) with Holly and Dec.
PA Archive/PA Images

There was a lot of love for Holly and Ant on Twitter...

Some people were a little confused...

While others just couldn’t get their heads round Holly standing next to Dec (or shouting out that opening line)...

Ahead of the 10 celeb’s arrival to the jungle camps, four of the stars were tasked with the first challenge of the series.

After arriving by helicopter, John Barrowman, Rita Simons, Sair Khan and James McVey were split into two separate teams, with John and Sair named the founding members of the red team and Rita and James the founding members of the yellow team. 

Open Image Modal
Rex

They then had to complete a number of challenges before entering camp, with the aim of building a team along the way.

The winners of each challenge was given the chance to pick their teammates from the all-star line-up.

John, Rita, Sair and James’ first challenge was The Edge - reportedly the highest task ever seen on the show - and saw them climbing two towers strutting out from the edge of a cliff in to collect as many flags as possible. 

The new series of ‘I’m A Celebrity’ got off to a wet and windy start after a huge storm hit the jungle before the stars arrived.

Open Image Modal
Grim.
Rex

The bad weather flooded the show’s Croc Creek and Snake Rock camps, soaking all utensils and sleeping areas.

‘I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!’ airs at 9pm on ITV. every week day.

'I'm A Celebrity' Winners
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(01 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 1 (2002)Winner: Tony BlackburnRunner Up: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(02 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 2 (2003) Winner: Phil TufnellRunner Up: John Fashanu (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(03 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 3 (2004)Winner: Kerry KatonaRunner Up: Jennie Bond (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(04 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 4 (2004)Winner: Joe PasqualeRunner Up: Paul Burrell (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(05 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 5 (2005)Winner: Carol ThatcherRunner Up: Sheree Murphy (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(06 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 6 (2006)Winner: Matt WillisRunner Up: Myleene Klass (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(07 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 7 (2007)Winner: Christopher BigginsRunner Up: Janice Dickinson (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(08 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 8 (2008)Winner: Joe SwashRunner Up: Martina Navratilova (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(09 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 9 (2009)Winner: Gino D'AcampoRunner Up: Kim Woodburn (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(10 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 10 (2010)Winner: Stacey SolomonRunner Up: Shaun Ryder (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(11 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 11 (2011)Winner: Dougie PoynterRunner Up: Mark Wright (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(12 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 12 (2012) Winner: Charlie Brooks Runner Up: Ashley Roberts (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(13 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 13 (2013) Winner: Kian Egan Runner Up: David Emmanuel (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(14 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 15 (2014) Winner: Carl Fogarty Runner Up: Jake Quickenden (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(15 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 15 (2015) Winner: Vicky Pattison Runner Up: George Shelley (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(16 of17)
Open Image Modal
Series 15 (2016) Winner: Scarlett Moffat Runner Up: Joel Dommett (credit:Rex)
'I'm A Celebrity' Winners(17 of17)
Open Image Modal
Georgia "Toff" Toffolo (credit:Rex)