I’m a Celebrity fans jealous as contestants hug each other in first episode: ‘I miss hugging people so much’

Fans were confused given each contestant turned up in their own helicopter

I’m a Celebrity launched in a brand-new location (a freezing, derelict castle in north Wales) last night (Sunday 15 November).

Contestants on this year’s show, which is the first not to take place in the Australian wilderness, include Mo Farah, Shane Richie, Vernon Kay, Jessica Plummer and Victoria Derbyshire.

While the launch included scenes of the contestants exploring the castle and taking part in some early challenges, fans on social media seemed more interested in the interactions between the celebrities – namely the fact that they’re allowed to hug one another.

Many viewers noted that they have gone for up to nine months without hugging their loved ones, so there was an element of envy as the I’m a Celeb stars shared a cuddle.

“I'm so jealous of all the hugs happening on #ImACeleb,” another said. “I miss hugging people so much,” one viewer wrote.

Another said: “Touching strangers and hugging on #ImaCeleb looks pretty f**king great tbqhwy [to be quite honest with you].”

“The celebs really teasing us tonight by hugging each other when we canny even hug our nans,” one tweeted.

Many were confused by this, given each celebrity arrived in their own helicopter.

“Anyone else really irritated by the fact that the celebrities on I’m a Celebrity have arrived in separate helicopters and range rovers?” one viewer wrote. “Our poor planet.”

A viewer wrote on Twitter: “Hang on a second.. so they are hugging/kissing eachother yet aren't allowed in the same helicopter? #ImACeleb,” another said.

A representative for I’m a Celebrity confirmed to The Independent that each castmember isolated for more than two weeks prior to the launch, and underwent a rigorous Covid-19 testing regime. 

EastEnders star Shane Richie and Radio 1 DJ Jordan North will be first to compete in the second trial when the show continues tonight (Monday 16 November) on ITV.