EXCLUSIVEInside the 'awful' days stars spend in the lead up to their I'm A Celebrity arrival which have sent them 'crazy'

They will spend up to three weeks sleeping in the Australian jungle among snakes and spiders while living off one portion of rice and beans a day.

But for some stars heading into the I’m A Celebrity jungle on tonight’s launch episode, the hardest challenge is already over.

From having their phones taken off them and flicking through 900 channels on the TV to three hours filming in the baking Australian heat – the celebs have revealed the ‘awful’ days leading up to the show spent in their H๏τel rooms which sent them ‘crazy’.

Coleen Rooney, 39, who is reportedly being paid £1.5million to appear on the show, told MailOnline from her H๏τel room: ‘We’ve been here for a few days before we go into camp.

‘I’m thinking, I would have rather just come and gone straight into camp because every day seems longer and longer now.

‘The weirdest thing is not having any contact and not having a phone.

From having their phones taken off them and flicking through 900 channels on the TV to three hours filming in the baking Australian heat – the celebs have revealed the ‘awful’ days before filming

Coleen Rooney , 39, who is reportedly being paid £1.5million to appear on the show has revealed the changes she has had to make since having her phone taken off her

While filming on Byron Bay for tonight’s launch show, one onlooker said: ‘The celebrities were standing there in the boiling heat for about three hours because it took so long to film.’

‘I’m in a H๏τel at the minute, so I had to ring down for a wake-up call which I haven’t done for years and then this morning I woke up and switched the TV on to see the time because there’s no clock in the room.

‘Today we’ve done a lot of medical checks and wardrobe.’

While filming on Byron Bay for tonight’s launch show, one onlooker told MailOnline: ‘The celebrities were standing there in the boiling heat for about three hours because it took so long to film.

‘Coleen and the others were sheltering from the sun and wind under umbrellas while waiting.’

Their phones are seized after leaving Brisbane Airport and they are allowed one final call to family members and the Wag chose her husband Wayne Rooney because she knew their four sons would be at school.

Depending on when they arrive, celebrities can spend up to six days stuck in their H๏τel rooms with no contact with their friends or families.

Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall admitted he had been allowed to go and play golf for the afternoon.

Meanwhile, in an interview with MailOnline, the Loose Women panellist Jane Moore said: ‘It’s weird today because obviously I have been stripped of all devices. I mean, the fact that I’m holding a phone in my hand right now is exciting me greatly.

While some are stuck in their H๏τel rooms, Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall admitted he had been allowed to go and play golf for the afternoon

Last year, the jockey Frankie Dettori revealed he had to beg his minder for the football scores as the 52-year-old revealed the time had turned him ‘crazy’

‘So that’s weird, because I’m feeling a little bit out of control in terms of my own, you know, having agency over what I do, because I’m in a H๏τel room and whatever.

‘But I’ve got a lovely view of the Gold Coast. I’ve got a telly with about 900 channels.’

Read More Ruth Langsford heads to Australia for I’m A Celebrity after ‘tough year’

Former boxing champion, Barry McGuigan, let slip that his time had been taken up in discussions with the ITV production team on how ‘best not to offend people’.

Last year, the jockey Frankie Dettori revealed he had to beg his minder for the football scores as the 52-year-old revealed to MailOnline the time had turned him ‘crazy’ and led him to eventually break the rules.

He said: ‘All I’m allowed to do is watch sh***y television, no Netflix, nothing. I’m sick of the bloody housing programmes – they’re killing me.

‘Building them, buying them, putting them up – anything you can do with a house, I’ve watched it.

‘There was an Italian film on TV last night, finally, and it made me cry my eyes out it was so romantic.

‘It’s been awful! But in fairness, Peter, my chaperone has been looking after me well. I’m an active person so to be restricted to my room has not been easy but I’ve been sneaking to the gym an hour a day to let off steam.’

I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP

OTI MABUSE

Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt

AGE: 34

OCCUPATION: Professional dancer

FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.

DANNY JONES

Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: McFly singer

FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly.

He is also a coach on The Voice UK.

BARRY MCGUIGAN

Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle

AGE: 63

OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer

FAMOUS FOR: Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight тιтles from 1985 to 1986.

GK BARRY

GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women

AGE: 25

OCCUPATION: TikTok star

FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.

DEAN MCCULLOUGH

ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION: Radio 1 DJ

FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.

Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.

JANE MOORE

Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Journalist

FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.

She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.

MELVIN ODOOM

Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021

AGE: 44

OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter

FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

COLEEN ROONEY

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: WAG

FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.

ALAN HALSALL

Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Actor

FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.

TULISA