Bobby Norris supports friend Gemma Collins doing I'm A Celebrity...South Africa
Reality TV icon Gemma Collins is taking part in I'm A Celebrity...South Africa in 2026, and her long-time friend and former The Only Way Is Essex co-star Bobby Norris thinks she will do an "amazing" job.
Bobby Norris backs pal Gemma Collins doing I'm A Celebrity...South Africa.
Gemma, 44, famously entered the Australian jungle for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2014, but she only lasted for three days because she struggled to cope with the experience.
However, 39-year-old reality TV star Bobby - who often bickered with Gemma on ITV's The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) - hopes his long-time friend will get the chance to redeem herself on the all-stars spin-off show, which will air in 2026 on ITV1, STV, and ITVX.
Bobby exclusively told BANG Showbiz at the 2025 Best Heroes Awards, sponsored by DFS: "I think she'll be amazing, I think she was last time. I know everyone was like, 'Oh, she's done three or four days,' or whatever it was.
"And also, she made more of an impression in three days than some people did in three weeks, and that's what Gem does. So hats off to her.
"I'll be watching."
On the other hand, Gillian McKeith - who took part in the first series of I'm A Celebrity...South Africa, 13 years after her dramatic appearance on the main show - thinks Gemma will have a "horrendous" time on the programme.
The 66-year-old TV personality - who was the fifth campmate to be eliminated on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2010 - told Casino.org, as reported by The Sun: "You’ve got Gemma Collins in there.
"I was surprised she is going back - because she only stayed a few minutes last time, right?
"It’s going to be horrendous for her.
"I think she’ll probably be determined to try and finish it.
"She’ll try her best. She’ll be entertaining for sure."
Hosted by Ant McPartlin, 49, and Declan Donnelly, 50, I'm A Celebrity...South Africa sees the most memorable campmates from past series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! return to test themselves in tougher-than-ever Bushtucker Trials to win stars - which represent meals - for camp, as well as challenges.
Other stars rumoured to be joining Gemma include 1980s singer Sinitta, 62, former professional boxer David Haye, 45, ex-long-distance runner Sir Mo Farah, 42, and 44-year-old Pussycat Dolls girl band member Ashley Roberts.
The first series of I'm A Celebrity...South Africa, which aired in 2023, was won by 47-year-old TV presenter Myleene Klass.
