I’m A Celebrity All Stars returns to ITV next week and one camp mate has revealed what TOWIE star Gemma Collins was like second time around after sensationally quitting after just three days in 2014
20:00, 03 Apr 2026Updated 20:14, 03 Apr 2026
Gemma Collins returns to I’m A Celeb(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Gemma Collins makes her I’m A Celebrity return on Monday and one star has admitted the dread they felt before spending time in camp with the former TOWIE star. The TV personality, known as the GC, sensationally quit just three days on her first attempt in 2014.
But after admitting her jaunt to South Africa was a bid to redeem herself after it had “haunted her for years”, one fellow celeb confessed they weren’t expecting much from the reality TV star second time around.
However, her actions on the show surprised them and changed their perception of the star. Former boxer David Haye told us he “didn’t have high hopes” when hearing Gemma would be joining him in camp. “She was the one that I was told going into it, that she kind of flaked out the first time around, and I didn’t have high hopes,” he said.
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David Haye was shocked at Gemma’s actions at I’m A Celeb(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
“But of all the people watching her go through what she went through, she doesn’t have an ounce of quit in her at all. So whatever she did the first time around, she obviously looked back and thought ‘I’m gonna give it everything’.
“And fortunately for the show, she did, because she was part of some real, real heavy challenges that she should be proud of herself.”
The former heavyweight world champion confessed he was surprised with the connection he formed with her, too, revealing the pair dealt with a bit of friction initially. “There was a bit of bit of friction between us both,” he said.
“But once the once we got into the flow of it, and the dust settled through – because it was a big, big, explosive start to everything. It gets really heavy, really, really fast. Emotions are out there. It’s late at night. We’re all tired, we’re hungry.
“There’s lots happening, and there was a bit of friction between like myself and Gemma clean off the bat. But over the next few days, once we all relaxed, I was surprised that we got on so well. And we connected, for sure. We definitely connected. And I was probably surprised at that.”
He added: “If you had said to me right at the beginning you two are going to be really getting on, I would have said, ‘No, I don’t think so’. But, you know, it’s probably vice versa as well.
“Sometimes I’m not the most politically correct and sometimes I say what’s on my mind without filtering it. And it definitely rubs her up the wrong way early doors.
David praised Gemma’s performance second time around(Image: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
David Haye admitted there was friction at first(Image: Getty Images)
“But I’m really glad that we actually all got time with each other to actually connect and talk to each other and understand each other. And I’d say that was the one [connection] I was most surprised of.”
Sinitta then admitted that she was very surprised to have hit it off with the “controversial” boxer, too. She revealed it helped that he reminded her of her son. “I almost felt maternal towards him,” the ’80s icon said.
“It’s funny seeing him now with his big beard, like a big man, but in the jungle, because you all regress, that’s weird thing. You kind of regress to a childlike version of yourselves. And for me, he was like a big version of my son.”
I’m A Celebrity : All Stars returns to ITV on April 6 and brings a star-studded cast. David and Sinitta will be joined by big names, including soaps legend Beverley Callard, Olympian Mo Farah, and former football manager Harry Redknapp. Gemma, Ashley Roberts, Seann Walsh, Craig Charles and Scarlett Moffatt also appear. And the line-up is completed by Adam Thomas and Jimmy Bullard.
I’M A CELEBRITY…SOUTH AFRICA RETURNS MONDAY 6TH APRIL AT 9PM ON ITV1 & STV
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