Mariella Frostrup and Jack Skipper became the eighth and ninth celebrities to arrive in Australia on Wednesday ahead of this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The 63-year-old journalist and 38-year-old comedian were photographed arriving at Brisbane Airport before the programme’s November 16 launch.
However, the pair may not receive the warm welcome they were expecting at camp. The filming location is braced for thunderstorms just five days before the opening episode airs.
Forecasters are predicting heavy rain in Dungay, New South Wales, where the show is filmed, on Wednesday and Thursday. Between 5mm and 15mm of rainfall is expected, accompanied by strong winds.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning covering damaging winds, potentially giant hailstones and intense rain that could trigger flash flooding in parts of New South Wales.
Meteorologists classify giant hailstones as those measuring roughly the size of a hen’s egg.
The unsettled conditions could also bring blood-sucking leeches into camp and cause nearby creeks to burst their banks.
Journalist and presenter Mariella Frostrup arrived in Australia on Wednesday as a severe weather warning was issued for the camp
Jack Skipper appeared cheerful as he made his way through Brisbane Airport departures
The pair will join Wayne Rooney, Chloe Burrows, Joanna Page, Sharky, Ricky Wilson, Ade Adepitan and Claire Sweeney, all of whom have already travelled to Australia.
Leomie Anderson and late arrival Leigh Francis are still to make the journey Down Under.
Speaking to the Daily Mail at Brisbane Airport, Mariella said she was particularly looking forward to a “digital detox”.
She said: ‘I’ve watched I’m A Celebrity lots of times with my children.
‘I never imagined putting myself in that position. As I keep saying, I’m here for a luxury spa break. That’s what my family keeps telling me!
‘Some members of my family are jealous of the trip, while others are relieved they’re not doing it.’
Mariella added: ‘I’ve wanted to visit Australia for a very long time. It’s a bucket-list destination, and I’m hoping I’ll have time to get to Sydney. I also have a friend who works there, so I’d love to see her.’
The presenter also admitted that sleeping in the jungle camp was one of her concerns.
Mariella told the Daily Mail at Brisbane Airport that she was looking forward to a “digital detox”
The journalist said she had “never imagined” putting herself in the show’s challenging environment
Jack remained tight-lipped about his appearance when he arrived at the airport
The comedian said only that he was appearing on a television programme filmed in Australia, joking: “Yes, Home And Away”
The full I’m A Celebrity line-up has been revealed, including Wayne Rooney, Chloe Burrows, Joanna Page, Ricky Wilson, Ade Adepitan and Claire Sweeney
She explained: ‘If I find it difficult to sleep because my husband is snoring in a comfortable bed, then disrupted sleep will be hard. I’m also a nightmare because I toss and turn throughout the night.’
Several hours later, Jack arrived at the airport but remained deliberately vague about his involvement in the programme.
He joked: ‘I’m here, I don’t know. Am I allowed to say? I’m going to be on a television show filmed here. Yes, Home And Away.’
Asked about being without his phone in camp, Jack said: ‘You know what, without social media, I wish I could do that more often. I don’t think I’d struggle with it at all.’