I’m A Celeb odds as surprise favourite overtakes Josie Gibson in winner's race
Bookies are already taking bets for the I'm Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! winner and it looks like it's going to be a close race.
With her loveable West Country charm and no-nonsense attitude, This Morning host, Josie Gibson, 38, was a shoo-in to be crowned Queen of the Jungle. However, now EastEnders star, Danielle Harold, 31, has overtaken her with odds of 3/ 1, compared to Josie's 4/1, according to oddschecker, which compares odds with most of the world's leading bookmakers.
Danielle took on the Pole Position challenge on Sunday, alongside Fred Sirieix, Sam Thompson and Grace Dent. Managing to get a much-needed star despite clinging to a flimsy flagpole, sporting a canary yellow jumpsuit, with just a second to spare, the Lola Pearce star impressed viewers watching at home. Telling fans ahead of the show: "It’s definitely going to be nice to be myself and just have fun. The parts I have been playing have involved heavy stuff and to just be me is exciting," the actress is already one to watch.
Taking to social media, fans said of the Lewisham-born peformer, who shot to fame on Channel 4's Jamie's Dream School in 2011, said: "Even if I wasn't an Eastenders fan, Danielle’s already my winner #ImACeleb," as a second added: "I see a potential winner in Danielle, she smashed it #ImACeleb." While a third shared: "Danielle is my winner already #ImACeleb."
However, we can't count Josie out yet. The Big Brother star gave a great account of herself when she arrived in the sweltering outback, sporting a denim jumpsuit, alongside an eerily jolly Nigel Farage and YouTuber, Nella Rose.
Sue Cleaver feels 'more empowered' as she labels her 50s her 'happiest decade'“I thought this was a good idea until they dropped us off in the middle of nowhere. I’ve never been so petrified," Josie confessed before Farage quipped: "It’s something different in life, it’s an adventure! It’s a challenge, it’s not going to be easy, but why not?” Not missing a beat, Josie remarked: "It can’t be worse than Brexit!” Chuckling, Farage said: "Oh… didn’t take long did it? Didn’t take long. I had a feeling we’d get a bit of that!” Awkwardly laughing to herself, the mum-of-one mumbled: "Only joking..."
Also in the running to win the show with odds of 6/5 is Made In Chelsea's Sam Thompson. The boyfriend of Love Island's Zara McDermott looked delighted to be in Australia as he larked around with his pals, 100m high in the air for the Pole Position challenge.
After telling his fellow campmate Fred he was "such a big fan", viewers took to X remarking on how happy Sam seemed to be. "I'm sorry but I absolutely love Sam Thompson," one fan wrote. "He's the most excitable person, and he loves everyone. You can tell he's loving the experience already."
But while Sam, Danielle and Josie have won fans' approval, there are some campmates who haven't got a hope of winning the show, at least not yet, according to the bookies. Currently favourite to be eliminated first is Grace Dent. The restaurant critic, known for her acerbic wit, previously ridiculed I'm A Celebrity, calling it "a puerile venture into starvation, televised constipation, and animal cruelty, abbreviated by ads for Iceland £1 curries." She even confessed to closing her blinds tightly shut to avoid any association with the show's theme tune, fearing it would bring down the value of her property.
According to odds checker, Grace may not have to put up with jungle life for too long as she currently has odds of 11/4 to be booted out first. However, following her closely, with almost identical odds, is Britney Spears' sister, Jamie Lynn, who is said to be "miserable" in camp.
Viewers couldn't wait for the 23rd series to kick off last night, but noticed the mum-of-two, appeared to somewhat detached. When it was announced Jamie Lynn had signed up for the show, fans were excited the self-confessed "redneck" would share some gossip about her famous sibling. However, it appears being referred to as "Britney's sister" by her fellow celebrities may be starting to get to the Nickelodeon star.
After Hollyoaks' Nick Pickard confessed: “I had no idea when I woke up this morning I’d be skydiving with Britney Spears' sister" before Danielle mused: “It’s just mad, I’m with Britney Spears’ sister", fans took to X, commenting on the campmates. One viewer said: "Sorry, but the campmates referring to Jamie Lynn as 'Britney Spears’ sister' is so funny to me" while another claimed the 32-year-old must be "tired of living in her sister's shadow".
Jamie Lynn gave a good account of herself during the challenge with Nick and Marvin Humes last night, however, on Saturday, she was believed to have isolated herself in camp and stayed in bed, with producers worried she could be a "flight risk". "Away from the cameras and scenes that aired on TV, it’s her behaviour in camp that has become obvious to crew," a source told The Sun. "She has kept herself somewhat separate, not really socialising — and stayed in bed."
*I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! continues on ITV on Monday at 9pm