I’M A Celebrity was plunged into a second day of weather chaos as an extreme weather front hits Australia’s Gold Coast.
Just one day after Nigel Farage and Josie Gibson baked in 40 degree heat to film in the red desert outback, a second string of stars were forced to endure blazing sun to record their entry trial on top of Surfers Paradise’s Focus Building.
Crew slathered Sam Thompson, Grace Dent, Danielle Harold and Fred Sirieix in sun cream to protect against the very high UV levels of 8, while continually beckoning the celebs under umbrellas and into the shade.
Then just 20 minutes after filming of the knee-trembling trial wrapped, thunder clouds descended, entirely shrouding the building.
Wind whipped across the beachfront and rain and hail began pelting down.
A source said: “The changing weather has the team in overdrive – one minute the celebs are boiled and the next they’re soaking wet.
“This is the most extreme weather in years and it’s making logistics a nightmare. Plans keep changing with each hour that passes as they tick down to launch.
“Obviously with 22 series under their belts, the I’m A Celebrity team have handled almost all weather so swung into action to safely support the celebs.”
It comes as former EastEnders star Danielle Harold was the first to take on the new twist on the Walk The Plank trial, now dubbed Pole Position.
The celebs had to descend a ladder atop the 100-m tall building and then crawl along a cylindrical tube to raise a flagpole.
The Lola Pearce star, who has removed her long, thick extensions and had her shorter hair plaited into two rows along the top of her head, grimaced as she took on the trial alongside the more stoic Fred.
The Sun has chosen not to reveal the results of the high-octane new opening challenge, but a source said: “As soon as Danielle got her feet on solid ground she crumbled to a sitting position like her legs had given way and then wiped away water from her eyes.”
Masterchef food critic Grace Dent also took on the trial – and looked grave.
But Sam Thompson was the real worrier of the pack, taking a number of pep talks from staff as he continued to peer over the edge of the building.
At one point, caring Grace was seen cupping his face to comfort him.
The source added: “Sam was elated to be back on terra firma too, and bounded over to Fred, Dec and Ant for huge hugs after his effort – he is all about the bromance.
It comes after The Sun revealed last week how bosses had planned the devilish new twist on the classic trial.
Chiefs had upped the ante across the board, with executive producer Laura Woolf telling: “The launch show is bigger and there are things we have never done before.”
Changes include celebs needing to eat more food than ever to win stars in food trials, a disgusting new morsel for celebs to chow down on and the highest trial in Australian I’m A Celeb history.
