She turned Love Island upside down in 2019 as a bombshell contestant and her unfiltered fiery antics led to that year being the most-watched series in the show’s history.

And now Maura Higgins, 33, is set to work that same magic on I’m A Celebrity as she enters her second ITV show as a late arrival tonight and warns viewers, ‘You’re not ready.’

And in an unexpected twist, the Irish TV personality has netted more likes on her Jungle announcement than any other contestant this year, more than Coleen Rooney, 39, and GK Barry’s, 25, combined.

A TV source told MailOnline: ‘At the beginning, everyone thought it was going to be Coleen or GK Barry that was the hook for this series, but it appears it’s going to be Maura.

‘She’s got that perfect ‘second wave’ energy and it’s so funny she’s coming in with a Reverend, it’s going to be amazing.

Maura Higgins turned Love Island upside down in 2019 as a bombshell contestant and her unfiltered fiery antics led to that year being the most-watched series in the show’s history

And now the star is set to work that same magic on I’m A Celebrity as she enters her second ITV show as a late arrival tonight and warns viewers: ‘You’re not ready’

‘Firecracker energy is what’s needed in the camp right now as they all seem to be getting on a bit too well…

‘There are a lot of strong women in there so the race for Queen of the Jungle is going to be a tough one, especially now that she’s [Maura] in the mix.’

On the I’m A Celebrity Instagram page, the announcement yesterday that Maura was entering the Jungle has already received 223,000 likes – head and shoulders above the existing campmates.

Gen Z TikTok star, GK Barry, was leading with 150,000 likes, followed by super Wag, Coleen Rooney who netted 45,000, and then the former X-Factor judge, Tulisa Contostavlos, with 39,000.

If Instagram likes are anything to go by, it seems it’s the women’s year when it comes to popularity, as the man with the most likes was McFly’s Danny Jones who received 20,000.

And the support from her dedicated fan base has already been felt by Maura as she told MailOnline: ‘I just don’t want to let people down because everyone’s been DMing me, and there’s been so many people like, ‘Oh my God, I hope you’re doing the show. I can’t wait to see you on the show.’

‘And I’m like, I don’t want to back out of the trials and be the biggest wimp in the camp. 

‘It’s been five years since I’ve been on TV. That’s a long time, it’s crazy.’

And in an unexpected twist, the Irish TV personality has netted more likes on her Jungle announcement than any other contestant this year, more than Coleen Rooney, 39, and GK Barry’s, 25, combined

A TV source told MailOnline: ‘At the beginning, everyone thought it was going to be Coleen or GK Barry that was the hook for this series, but it appears it’s going to be Maura 

She will join the likes of Coleen Rooney, Oti Mabuse, and Danny Jones in the jungle as a late entry alongside Reverend Richard Coles

It comes after fans were left fearing the Love Island US Aftersun host had quit the show before she had even begun after she posted pictures of herself partying in Vegas, the day she was due to touch Down Under.

Read More Maura Higgins reveals she has prepared for I’m A Celeb in the ‘worst way possible’ as she indulges on pasta and red wine during lavish Vegas trip

She said: ‘Well, I mean, I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t tell people. Everyone was pressuring me in my DMs saying, ‘Why are you in Vegas?

‘You should be in Australia. I’ve put a bet on you to be in the show,’ and I’m like, oh, no, pressure, guys, Jesus.’

Ahead of her Jungle stint Maura also admitted she has made the most of reality as she loaded up on ‘all my favourite foods and red wine’ before being forced to live off rice and beans.

She said: ‘No [I haven’t prepared], I have probably been doing the worst thing by loading up on all my favourite foods, drinking as much red wine as I can and eating as much pasta. 

‘I probably should have weaned myself off things, but that’s not how my brain works!’

On the I’m A Celebrity Instagram page, the announcement yesterday that Maura was entering the Jungle has already received 223,000 likes – head and shoulders above the existing campmates 

In recent days the celebrities have been soaked by heavy rainfall in the jungle and Maura said she believes the hit show will be ‘the hardest thing she has ever done’ as she has ‘never slept outside’ camping before.

However the Irish model said she is ‘ready to step outside my comfort zone’ as the show is a ‘real pinch me moment’. 

She added: ‘I hope I do make myself proud and I am both excited but also very nervous, because I am scared of absolutely everything. 

 ‘It is quite scary going in later. They have all met and got to know each other. It’s never easy being the newbie, but I am not a shy person, so I feel like I will be fine. It will be nice to bring some energy to the camp.’ 

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  

Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year

AGE: 36

OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge 

FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.

In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss. 

She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.