But she finally jumped into action on Friday, climbing into a tank full of baby crocodiles and spiders.
Once she emerged with a maximum ten stars, she was delighted, telling hosts Ant and Dec, "I'm absolutely buzzing. My first trial, ten stars, I couldn't be more happy."
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Triumph for the swimming champion
Her jungle pals were equally delighted with her booty, which meant grub for everyone. She told them, "There were crocs, eels, lizards, spiders, crabs, like everything was in there. They just kept throwing them in. But it was so much fun. It was mint."
Age: 21Most famous for: Winning Katie Price's search for a new model 'Signed… By Katie Price', and then publicly falling out with her. Relationship status: SinglePhobias: China dollsDream campmate: Oprah WinfreyShe says: "I'm grumpy when I’m hungry!"Odds to win: 25/1 (credit:ITV)
David Emanuel (02 of10)
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Age: 60Most famous for: Designing Princess Diana's wedding dress.Relationship status: DivorcedPhobias: "Everything. Anything. You name it!"He says: "Sometimes you have to rise to the challenge. I survived cancer. Can I survive the jungle?"Odds to win: 33/1 (credit:ITV)
Alfonso Ribeiro (03 of10)
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Age: 42Most famous for: Playing Carlton Banks on 90s show 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air' alongside Will Smith. Relationship status: MarriedMissing any special occasions?: Time with his new baby boyHe says: "I haven't actually seen much of I’m A Celebrity..., which is the reason why I am doing it. If I had seen more of it... I would probably say ‘Hell no’."Odds to win: 10/1 (credit:ITV)
Joey Essex(04 of10)
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Age: 23Most famous for: Appearing on ITV2 reality show 'The Only Way Is Essex'.Relationship status: SingleMissing any special occasions: The 'TOWIE' Christmas specialHe says: "I will have my shirt off all the time."Odds to win: 7/4 (credit:ITV)
Kian Egan(05 of10)
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Age: 33Most famous for: Being a member of boyband Westlife. Relationship status: MarriedPhobias: "None but the coffin challenge is, for me, the worst one"He says: "I will definitely do the eating challenge. I will shove it in my gob, chew on it and eat it!"Odds to win: 6/1 (credit:ITV)
Laila Morse(06 of10)
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Age: 68Most famous for: Playing Big Mo Harris in BBC soap 'EastEnders'.Relationship status: DatingPhobias: Spiders and cockroachesDream camp mate: Johnny DeppShe says: "I don’t like sleeping with clothes on...that's gonna be a bit of an issue."Odds to win: 25/1 (credit:ITV)
Lucy Pargeter (07 of10)
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Age: 36Most famous for: Playing Chas Dingle in ITV soap 'Emmerdale'.Relationship status: EngagedShe says: "I can’t sit still for five minutes. I don’t do well with boredom."Odds to win: 9/1 (credit:ITV)
Matthew Wright(08 of10)
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Age: 48Most famous for: Hosting daily Channel 5 chat show 'The Wright Stuff'.Relationship status: MarriedPhobias: Terrified of spidersHe says: "I know I will be teary. I just don’t want to act as big a girl as Paul Burrell."Odds to win: 12/1 (credit:ITV)
Rebecca Adlington (09 of10)
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Age: 24Most famous for: Being a Team GB Olympic swimmer.Relationship status: EngagedDream camp mate: David BeckhamShe says: "I see myself as a team player and I think my role in the camp will be to be the little helper. I am happy to pull my weight."Odds to win: 9/1 (credit:ITV)
Steve Davis(10 of10)
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Age: 56Most famous for: Being a professional snooker player.Relationship status: Long-term relationshipPhobias: "Do you really think I’d let you know what I am scared of?!"He says: "There seems to be a growing opinion that I’m not as boring as people once thought, and it’s my aim while I am in the jungle to put a stop to this once and for all!"Odds to win: 11/2