Featured Image Credit: Joe Maher/WireImage/ITV
Topics: Love Island, Maura Higgins, Celebrity, Im A Celebrity, ITV, Reality TV, TV And Film
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Love Island, Maura Higgins, Celebrity, Im A Celebrity, ITV, Reality TV, TV And Film
Fans puzzled by Maura Higgins' absence during last night's I'm A Celeb launch are soon set to have their most important question answered.
That's because the former Love Island contestant is supposedly scheduled to land Down Under in a matter of days, with her arrival date having now been 'confirmed'.
Ten huge-name stars landed into the Aussie jungle last night (17 November) after much anticipation.
Advert
Among them were 'Wagatha Christie' legend Coleen Rooney, McFly hitmaker Danny Jones, Strictly pro Oti Mabuse, Loose Women star Jane Moore, Radio 1 frontman Dean McCullough, N-Dubz singer Tulisa and boxing icon Barry McGuigan.
Television presenter and DJ Melvin Odoom also joined the line-up, alongside Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall and TikTok influencer GK Barry.
Unusually, however, when the line-up was 'confirmed', two other celebs were included on the list - none other than ex-islander Maura Higgins and radio host and author Rev Richard Coles.
Speaking of 33-year-old Maura's appearance, a jungle insider told The Sun: "With Tommy Fury pulling out it gave show bosses the opportunity to look at other Love Island stars and Maura stood out as the perfect candidate.
"She'll bringing a bit of glamour to the jungle and make a brilliant campmate because she's got a great sense of humour and is bound to get on with everyone."
And touching on the Reverend's on-screen gig, the same source said he'll have 'a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth'.
Naturally, therefore, when the pair failed to appear for the annual IAC photoshoot - which sees contestants posing in their camp attire for the first time - fans feared they'd dropped out of the line-up.
These concerns were subsequently heightened by the fact that neither Maura nor Rev Richard appeared during last night's debut episode, which saw the stars arriving into camp for the first time.
And even more worrying - the ex-bombshell has continued uploading content to social media, revealing on Instagram yesterday that she's currently in Las Vegas on a work trip.
However, a television source has since told the Daily Mail that Maura - who also presents Love Island US' spin-off series - will reportedly be making her arrival 'imminently'.
"She will be arriving this week," the source claimed.
"The brand trip was always part of the schedule as Maura had agreed to it and it fit into her arrival dates for the Jungle."
It's finally happening, guys!
Tyla has contacted representatives for Maura and ITV for comment.
This article contains affiliate links and LADbible Group might make a commission on anything purchased.
I’m A Celeb fans can watch the show ad-free by signing up for a free trial of ITVX Premium here. It’s £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year thereafter.