REVEREND RICHARD COLES

I’m A Celebrity is not Melvin Odoom’s first jungle experience as it turns out he rocked huge leaves channelling Sinitta’s iconic X Factor look in an incredible resurfaced pH๏τo from nine-years-ago.

80’s pop star Sinitta made history during the 2009 ITV series as she emerged out of Simon Cowell’s LA mansion wearing nothing but palm leaves in a pH๏τoshoot which appeared in Heat. 

And in 2015, radio presenter Melvin was seen wearing nothing but four overlapping leaves which barely covered his modesty and flashed an extensive amount of skin.

He completed the look by elevating his frame with towering gold metallic heels and wore a curly dark wig and a swipe of bright red lipstick.

For the snap, Melvin was joined by Rochelle Humes (not pictured here) who made a convincing Simon Cowell, by wearing his staple uniform of jeans and an unʙuттoned shirt.

Sinitta memorably stripped off during the Judges’ Houses stage of the compeтιтion, where she surprised Simon’s contestants – and the big boss himself – by appearing almost naked in a bid to help them ‘relax’. 

I’m A Celeb is not Melvin Odoom’s first jungle experience as he rocked huge leaves channeling Sinitta ‘s iconic X Factor look in a resurfaced pH๏τo which appeared in Heat nine years ago 

At the time, Melvin said the look was ‘quite comfortable, he joked to Heat: ‘I like to get naked as much as I can. It was quite comfortable, scarily.’

It comes as Melvin was left trembling in fear as he took on the latest Bushtucker trial in the place of Barry McGuigan on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! on Friday night. 

Thursday night’s show saw the campmates select boxing legend Barry and former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse to tackle the challenge, Tanks of Torture, in order to win food for camp.

However, in a first look at the upcoming episode, fans will see a change in the proceedings as Melvin does the trial instead of Barry, having requested if he could do so seeing as he hadn’t taken on a trial yet.

Barry was only too happy to oblige, however, Melvin may have regretted his decision as he soon found himself with huge spiders scurrying across his face.

A preview for the episode sees pals Oti and Melvin locked in water tanks, with huge plastic helmets covering their heads.

The pair were required to move stars along the pipe and release them at the other end, all while contenting with a number of water-dwelling critters including eels and yabbies. 

But Oti and Melvin’s troubles were only beginning as the crew were seen lowering several enormous spiders into their helmets, with the arachnids seen crawling around their heads.

Sinitta memorably stripped off during the Judges’ Houses stage of the compeтιтion, where she surprised Simon’s contestants – and the big boss himself – by appearing almost naked in a bid to help them ‘relax’

Melvin is currently starring on ITV’s hit show I’m A Celeb 

Both the campmates took on a similar tactic of closing their mouths and breathing through their noses in a bid to get through the trial.

However, with a whole manner of other jungle nasties no doubt set to join them, it remains to be seen just how many stars they will bag. 

Melvin’s eventful trial comes after he was left fuming once again after Dean McCullough abandoned him to complete the chores alone. 

The presenter 44, and the Irish DJ, 32, are on water collection duties for the camp this week but Melvin was left furious once again after his campmate disappeared. 

And Dean not pulling his weight has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the camp.

In Thursday’s episode, Melvin was already up and about collecting water for his fellow camp mates and instead of Dean joining him to help, he opted to have a shower.

He told Melvin: ‘I’m gonna have a scrub and then I’ll do a couple, mate.’ 

This didn’t go unnoticed by camp, as when they saw Melvin carrying his fourth water bucket of the morning, Danny asked: ‘Is Houdini with him?’, referencing a joke Melvin had made on Wednesday about Dean’s regular disappearing acts.

As Jane said Dean was having a shower, Melvin joked: ‘Houdini does another trick again!’

While Melvin continued lugging around the heavy water, Jane encouraged him, saying: ‘Come on Melvin, you’ve got to leave some for Dean to do!’

In the upcoming episode on Friday night, Melvin was left trembling in fear as he took on the latest Bushtucker trial in the place of Barry McGuigan

Barry was previously chosen by his campmates to do the trial, but in a first look at the episode, fans will see a change in the proceedings as Melvin does the trial instead

Melvin’s eventful trial comes after he was left fuming once again after Dean McCullough abandoned him to complete the chores alone

Read More I’m A Celeb’s Barry drops out of the Bushtucker Trial as trembling Melvin faces huge spiders

As Barry quipped: ‘Don’t hold your breath!’

And this is not the first time Dean has failed to lend a helping hand. 

On Wednesday’s episode Melvin slammed the BBC Radio 1 presenter for disappearing whenever anyone needed help with odd jobs around the camp. 

Melvin fumed that he was all alone to complete his task and took Dean to town over his lack of co-operation. 

While on water duties, Melvin said: ‘This is a lone man situation, he’s very good at disappearing.’

When tasked with carrying one pot of water back to camp, the DJ complained that his chore was too difficult.

He moaned: ‘That is no joke, the pot is so heavy.’ 

He continued: ‘I hate doing the water guys I’ve said it, I’m just gonna have to hold my hands up, it’s an awful job and I hate it, and I don’t wanna do it anymore.

‘Guys I can’t, it’s not for me!’

But before he continued, camp leader Danny chastised Dean, telling him: ‘Just get on with it mate.’

As Melvin encouraged Dean to carry on fetching water with him, and the camp told him to adopt a positive atтιтude, Dean said: ‘Look, no beef, no drama, I just hate my job!’

Melvin then joked: ‘Listen, your new name is Houdini because you like to disappear!’

The camp descended into laughter as Oti exclaimed: ‘SH๏τs fired!’ while Dean was left too shocked to speak.

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.  

REVEREND RICHARD COLES

Richard is an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Writer, broadcaster and priest

FAMOUS FOR: Richard is an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest. 

He first came to prominence as the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band the Communards.

 MAURA HIGGINS

Maura is best known for her stint on Love Island UK in 2019

 AGE: 33

OCCUPATION: TV Personality

FAMOUS FOR: Maura is an Irish television personality, television presenter and model. 

She rose to prominence in 2019, when she was a finalist on the fifth series of ITV2 reality series Love Island.