I’m A Celeb’s Dec lands in Australia with wife Ali & kids days before show is set to start

The I'm A Celeb presenter touched down in Oz with his young family today just days before the next season of the hit show is set to hit screens.

The 47-year-old was seen in the airport with his wife Ali and kids Jack and Isla, holding baby Jack to his chest.

They join footballer Jill Scott who made her arrival at the airport this morning, and Charlene White who travelled over on the same flight.

Ant McPartlin was seen arriving Down Under earlier this week.

Speaking as he arrived at Brisbane airport, Dec told The Sun he was “very excited” to be back in Australia.

“I can't wait to get going but yeah it is just good to be back,” he said.

Dec, who was joined by wife Ali and their children Jack and Isla, admitted it was a bit different this time round.  

He admitted: “It's a bit more stressful, you watch less movies, but it is fine, it is great and nice to be able to bring them out and have a bit of family time as well as he the series going as well.”

But he joked that co-host Ant would be on babysitting duty for him.

Charlene meanwhile refused to confirm she was taking part and said I’m A Celebrity isn’t up her street.

She told our reporter on the ground:  “Well I don't really like creepy crawlies so I can't imagine it is a show that I would do to be perfectly honest and I am not particularly outdoorsy. I am not quite sure how that would work.”

The TV star admitted she would get homesick if she did take part, telling us: “Oh no of course I would miss my family, I would miss the kids, my other half, and of course my Loose Ladies.

"If I am not hanging out with them every week I am not quite sure what to do with my time to be honest.”

Meanwhile midfielder Jill, 35, who famously swore during the Euros, insists she will be keeping it clean in the jungle.

Speaking to The Sun as she arrived this morning, Jill said: "I have never had an interview where they haven't mentioned that.

"I am not proud of that swearing and I don't usually swear so I'd like to think that wouldn't happen again."

Asked what is more nerve wracking, the Euros final or doing I'm A Celeb, Jill admitted: "That is a very good question I don't think anyone would test my nerves as much as that final though."

But she's not sure how she will react to the creepy crawlies, telling us: "I've never really been confronted by them in England so I actually don't know how I would react apart from the odd spider in the bathroom now and then so yeah. "

So far Hollyoaks star Owen Warner, Coronation Street's Sue Cleaver, reality TV star Olivia Attwood and radio DJ Chris Moyles have been pictured arriving in Australia.

The celebrity reality show is returning to its original jungle location after the past two series were filmed at Gwrych Castle in North Wales due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

The forthcoming series, which is launching on November 6, will see a new batch of famous faces undertake challenges and trials to secure food and treats for the group and avoid being voted out by the viewers.

Yesterday the show's official Twitter account confirmed the start date as they shared an image of a sign announcing the news with the caption: "Mark your calendars... the countdown is on!"

On Monday, the Australian set for the show was closed for 24 hours following reports of severe flooding in the area.

A spokeswoman for ITV said: "We closed site for 24 hours as a precautionary measure due to the inclement weather."

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are returning to host the popular show, with a recent trailer showing them jumping out of a helicopter back into the jungle.

The Geordie duo have hosted the reality programme since its launch in 2002, though McPartlin was temporarily replaced by Holly Willoughby in 2018.

The show's 2021 series was won by Emmerdale actor Danny Miller.