Former I’m a Celeb campmate Crissy Rock gives her verdict on this year’s contestants

As someone who’s already braved the rats and snakes, and dined on witchetty grubs, Crissy Rock knows a thing or two about life in the jungle.

And the Liverpool actress and comedienne, who appeared in I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! in 2011, has already got her favourites in this year’s line-up, with former Everton and England footballer Jill Scott singled out as a potential winner.

“She absolutely amazing,” says Crissy.

Speaking about when the midfielder took part in her first challenge, a terrifying ‘walk the plank’ above a 334-foot drop, she adds: “She didn’t hesitate, she just marched straight out there.

“She’s showing such strength and, just as importantly, supporting and encouraging the people around her.

“It’s early days yet but she could be a winner.”

Jill, 35, who was in the England squad which won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in June, has admitted she doesn’t know what to expect in the hit reality show hosted by Ant and Dec, but Crissy says: “I reckon whatever they put in front of her, she’ll just do it. She’s a sportswoman, she is competitive, and I think she’ll just go for it.

“Good luck to her.”

Crissy says she can’t decide on the rest of the campmates who are still adjusting to life in the Australian rainforest.

It’s the first time the series has been filmed down under since Covid saw it moved to a castle in North Wales.

The line-up includes Culture Club singer and 80s icon Boy George, Corrie star Sue Cleaver, Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner, A Place in the Sun’s Scarlette Douglas, and ex-England rugby union player Mike Tindall MBE.

Journalist and TV presenter Charlene White is another one who’s won early praise for her start in jungle, alongside DJ and TV presenter Chris Moyles, and actor and comedian Babatúndé Aléshé, who backed out of the plank challenge which Jill Scott conquered with ease. Love Island’s Olivia Attwood was forced to withdraw on medical grounds.

Crissy, who is currently appearing in Rita, Sue & Bob Too! at St Helens Theatre Royal, about two working class schoolgirls who both have an affair with the married man they are babysitting for, is still making her mind up about the other celebrities but she says of some:

Boy George – He’ll be entertaining. He’s a Buddhist now and he seems to be able to get in the zone for trials so that could help him.

Chris Moyles – While being trapped in chambers for a beach challenge to win stars, Boy George stayed calm and chilled, but Chris seemed to get panicky as they filled up with water.

Sue Cleaver – I’ve never met Sue but she’s doing really well, she’s very together. Like me, she’s representing the older ones and when she had to do her first trial, sticking her hand into boxes to find and count fish eyes, she just got straight into it, no messing. And she was funny, saying of Hollyoaks star Owen, ‘he’s the gift that keeps on giving’.

Owen Warner – I think he’s the Joey Essex of the group. He seems like a gentle character and he could be the one who rallies round and keeps the campmates together when they get a bit down in the dumps.

Crissy, who’s loving appearing in the Andrea Dunbar comedy on stage – ‘you could never write this nowadays but it’s good fun, and we’re all having a great time’ – starred in the series in which McFly bassist Dougie Poynter was crowned king of the jungle and which also featured Olympic javelin giant Fatima Whitbread, jockey Willy Carson and the late comedian Freddie Starr.

She still keeps in touch with Fatima who has become a firm friend, and she reveals: “We’ll both be watching this year’s I’m A Celebrity and phoning each other all the way through to see what the other thinks and discuss notes.”

Crissy says she wouldn’t hesitate to go back into the jungle: “It was a holiday for me.

“I wasn’t interested in becoming king or queen, I’d won just getting there, and it was great enjoying the amazing surroundings and the peace without the phone ringing all the time.

“I’m not really a nature person, but it was fascinating knowing that when you started to hear certain creatures it would soon be going dark, or it would be morning. I loved learning all about that and I just embraced it, and that’s what all the people in there this year should do.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”