Imagine stepping into the high-stakes jungle of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! only to clash with a fellow star right from the get-go – that's exactly what happened to beloved TV host Alison Hammond back in 2010, and she's spilling all the juicy details now!
If you're new to the show, I'm A Celebrity is that thrilling ITV reality series where celebrities brave the Australian wilderness, facing creepy crawlies and tough trials for charity – but behind the fun, tensions can boil over fast. Alison, the hilarious and warm-hearted presenter from This Morning, recently opened up about her rocky start during her own stint on the program. While chatting on the lively ITV2 spin-off, I'm A Celebrity... Unpacked, hosted by the charismatic Joel Dommett and Kemi Rodgers straight from Australia, she didn't hold back on her experiences from over a decade ago.
The Unpacked panel was meant to dive into this year's wild jungle drama with a fresh batch of stars, but Alison quickly turned the spotlight to her personal story. As a late entrant in the 2010 series – meaning she joined the camp after the others had already settled in – she faced an unexpected cold shoulder. It turns out, Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder took an immediate aversion to her, sparking what Alison describes as a full-blown feud. For those unfamiliar, Shaun is a rock legend known for his raw energy, but his time in the jungle was marked by several heated exchanges with campmates, which made for some unforgettable TV moments.
Recalling her entrance, Alison shared with a mix of amusement and lingering frustration: 'I strutted in declaring the party's arrived, complete with my Terry's Chocolate Orange treat, but the camp's vibe was total indifference – like, zero enthusiasm.' And then, bam! 'Shaun Ryder just couldn't stand me from the jump. He was outright rude about it!' She even quipped hopefully, 'Fingers crossed this year's lineup skips anyone like Shaun.' It's easy to see why this sticks with her; entering a pressure-cooker environment like the jungle, where everyone's exhausted and on edge, an instant personality clash can feel personal and amplify the stress.
But here's where it gets controversial... Shaun's reputation for clashing with others isn't just Alison's side of the story – he notoriously butted heads with multiple co-stars that season, leading fans to debate if his edginess was just his authentic self or a step too far in the confined camp setting. During the Unpacked discussion, even Shaun's mate, comedian Leigh Francis (better known as Keith Lemon), tried to smooth things over by saying, 'Look, I know Shaun, and he's usually a total sweetheart.' Alison wasn't buying it, letting out a skeptical huff and shaking her head in clear disagreement. And this is the part most people miss: while feuds like this add spice to the show, they also highlight how quickly judgments form under duress – was it fair for Shaun to write her off so fast?
Shifting gears to the current series, the premiere episode kicked off with a bang, throwing all ten celebrities into intense challenges right away to test their mettle. One standout moment involved model and actress Kelly Brook, 45, who ended up in hysterics during a particularly gross trial. Alongside five other campmates, they were crammed into a cockroach-themed 'Cockie van' – think a creepy vehicle shaped like the insect itself – where jungle bugs were unleashed all over them. Their mission? Retrieve six keys from an overhead grate to secure six stars for camp supplies, a vital boost for daily comforts like food and hygiene.
They nailed it, but not without chaos. Kelly let out a piercing scream, yelling, 'Oh my God, they're biting my t**s!' – a hilarious yet relatable panic in the face of those wriggling invaders. Ex-England Lioness Alex Scott chimed in with her own outrage: 'They're crawling all over my bra!' Meanwhile, former EastEnders star Shona McGarty discovered one had snuck into her pants, and comedian Ruby Wax summed it up perfectly: 'Every nook and cranny is occupied now!' These trials aren't just for laughs; they build team spirit (or expose cracks), and for beginners watching, it's a crash course in how the stars endure discomfort to entertain us.
So, what do you think – does Alison's feud with Shaun prove that first impressions in the jungle can doom a friendship, or was it just the heat of the moment? And on a cheekier note, would you survive bugs in your undies for camp glory? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're Team Alison or if Shaun's rough charm wins you over!
