The EastEnders star laughed she’s going “to ask for directions back now”
22:28, 09 Nov 2025
The rumoured I’m A Celebrity contestants have been landing in Australia ahead of the show’s return next week(Image: ITV )
A star set for the new season of I’m A Celebrity has joked she got on the wrong place when she arrived in Australia today. EastEnders star Shona McGarty is hotly tipped to be taking on TV’s toughest entertainment challenge this year.
The 34-year-old, renowned for her role as Whitney Dean in the BBC soap, has fuelled speculation ahead of the line-up by arriving at Brisbane Airport ahead of the line-up being formally unveiled this week. However, the soap star has kept up appearances in an interview with our sister site, Mirror Online, who are on location Down Under.
She said: “I got on the wrong flight. I thought it said Austria. I’m gonna have to ask for directions back now.” Speaking about what she will miss about the UK, Shona said: “Not a lot.
“I really want to see a kangaroo. I’ve never seen one in my life.” Kelly Brook was another UK star who landed in Australia today. The glamour model similarly laughed off the reason why she was in Australia, ahead of the ITV show starting next Sunday, November 15.
She said: “I haven’t seen my auntie Sheila for a long time so I can’t wait to see her, and I’m so excited that you’re all so excited for me.”
Asked about how she is with creepy-crawlies, Kelly joked there might be some in her “relative’s” garden and added: “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m visiting a distant cousin.
“I’m looking forward to surfing. Like I said, I’m looking forward to seeing my distant cousin that I’ve not seen for a long, long time… the koalas and the kangaroos. So much to look forward to.”
Shona McGarty has landed in Australia ahead of the start of I’m A Celebrity next week(Image: PA)
The decision to take on the I’m A Celebrity challenge represents u-turn for Kelly as she previously ruled out the ITV show.
She told Heart Radio: “I don’t want to eat eyeballs or sheep testicles and all the things they have to eat on there.
“Even if I had a huge tax bill and I had to pay it really urgently, I still wouldn’t do it.”
Other celebs flying Down Under include Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, YouTuber Morgan Burtwistle, known as Angryginge, musician Martin Kemp, comedian Ruby Wax, TV presenter Alex Scott and Jack Osbourne. They are expected to be joined by comedian Eddie Kadi, rapper Aitch, and presenter Vogue Williams.
ITV are set to formally announce the line-up next week. Two names will be missing from the announcement as they are expected to enter the jungle as latecomers.
Ant and Dec are returning to host the hit series, which is in its 25th year. Speaking to Mirror Online, Emmerdale star Lisa also shared what makes her suited to the entertainment challenge when she landed Down Under.
She said: “I’m from the north…we are made of tough skin.” She added: “I am a Dingle I can cope with anything…We did Dingles Down Under many years and I feel it’s only right we do it again.”
Lisa, 49, said she could cope with any creepy-crawlies, saying: “I’ve worked on a farm and it’s part of the job.”
