I’M A CELEB 2026: Jungle Carnage Unleashed! Supermodel Rachel Hunter Brutally Booted First in Heart-Stopping Showdown with Hunky Rival – While Pop Icon Deni Hines Flees in Tears Over ‘Toilet Terror’ Nightmare! Who’s Next in the Savage South African Survival Saga?
In a explosive start to what’s already being dubbed the most ruthless season yet, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2026 has kicked off with double drama that’s got fans screaming from their sofas! The South African jungle – teeming with creepy crawlies, blistering heat, and ego-clashing celebs – has claimed its first victims, leaving viewers gobsmacked and social media in meltdown. International supermodel Rachel Hunter, 57, the glamorous ex-wife of rock god Rod Stewart, was savagely eliminated in a nail-biting final challenge against reality TV bad boy Matt Zukowski, 30. But that’s not all – ’90s pop sensation Deni Hines, 55, daughter of Aussie legend Marcia Hines, dramatically quit after just six days, citing brutal camp clashes and a horrifying struggle with the infamous drop toilet! “This is jungle warfare!” one insider tells Daily Mail exclusively. As the camp descends into chaos, we reveal the shocking details, the tearful goodbyes, and who’s still battling it out for the crown – plus, whispers of more bombshells to come!
Let’s rewind to the heart-wrenching moment that had everyone gasping: Rachel Hunter, the New Zealand-born stunner who’s graced covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Sports Illustrated, raising her arms in defiant farewell as she was axed from the jungle.
Dressed in her grubby yellow tee, the yoga-loving icon flashed a brave smile amid the flickering lanterns, but sources say her exit was laced with bitterness. “Rachel lost to Matt in the Elephant’s Graveyard bluff challenge – it was brutal!” spills a production source. “She poured her soul into the camp, sharing spiritual vibes and meditation sessions, but the celebs nominated her, and boom – gone!” Rachel, who started modeling at 16 and married Rod at 21 (despite their 24-year age gap), has reality TV chops from Dancing with the Stars US and judging New Zealand’s Got Talent. But this early boot? “Gutted doesn’t cover it,” she confessed in her emotional exit chat with hosts Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. “The animals were scary, but the people? They became family.” Fans are furious, flooding X with #JusticeForRachel: “She brought class to the chaos – rigged!” one tweeted.
But Rachel’s ousting pales in comparison to Deni Hines’ explosive quit – a moment that’s gone viral for its raw honesty! The pop diva, behind ’90s bangers like “It’s Alright” and her Rockmelons collabs, uttered the magic words: “I’m a celebrity… get me out of here!” after days of feuding with campmates and battling the primitive facilities.
“The drop toilet was my breaking point – I just couldn’t hack it!” Deni admitted tearfully, admitting clashes with fiery personalities like MAFS bridezilla Cyrell Paule left her drained. Daughter of soul queen Marcia Hines, Deni burst onto the scene in the ’80s and even competed on The Masked Singer in 2019. “She was a powerhouse, but the jungle broke her,” confides a fellow campmate. In her farewell, Deni hugged it out, but insiders whisper the tension was palpable: “Arguments over chores and food rationing turned toxic – Deni felt ganged up on!” TikTok is ablaze with clips of her emotional breakdown, racking up millions of views. “Heartbreaking to see a legend quit like that,” laments fan Sarah Thompson. Could this be the start of a mass exodus?
With two stars down, the jungle is buzzing with paranoia – who’s next? The remaining campmates are a explosive mix of scandal-scarred vets and fresh faces, all vying for survival in this pre-recorded twist that’s scrapped public votes for celeb nominations. “It’s Survivor on steroids!” declares host Julia Morris. Let’s break down the survivors:
First up, controversial chef George Calombaris, 47, the former MasterChef judge who’s jetting in to stir the pot – literally! Sacked in 2019 after his company admitted underpaying staff $7.83 million (he apologized and repaid), George is no stranger to drama. “Will he spill on the MasterChef fallout?” wonders an insider. Teamed with Gary Sweet’s squad, he’s already whipping up meals amid the rice-and-beans rationing.
Then there’s Matt Zukowski, the Love Island hunk who survived the showdown with Rachel. The 30-year-old wrestler-turned-podcaster had a whirlwind marriage to influencer Tammy Hembrow – engaged after eight weeks, wed in lavish style, divorced by 2025! “Fingers crossed he opens up about that messy split,” teases a source. Matt’s podcast “Where’s Your Head At?” with Anna McEvoy could fuel jungle confessions.
MAFS firecracker Cyrell Paule, 36, infamous for her wine-throwing clash with Martha Kalifatidis, is bringing the bridezilla energy. Paired with Eden Dally on The Amazing Race, she’s clashed early – could she be the next to crack?
Radio queen Concetta Caristo, 31, Triple J breakfast host and stand-up comic, is the camp’s laughter lifeline. “She’s hilarious, but the bugs are testing her!” says a pal.
Logie-winning actor Gary Sweet, 68, star of Police Rescue and House Husbands (where he played hubby to host Julia Morris!), is the silver fox keeping morale high. “Reuniting with Julia? Sparks could fly!”
Comedian Nath Valvo, known from The Cheap Seats and Spicks and Specks, is dishing out one-liners amid the trials.
Soap royalty Rebekah Elmaloglou, 51, Neighbours’ Terese Willis and Home and Away alum, is channeling her dramatic roots. “She’s tough, but the isolation hits hard.”
Jungle princess Mia Fevola, 26, daughter of 2016 winner Brendan Fevola, is a model and makeup artist with DWTS cred. “Second-gen royalty – but can she outlast dad?”
Hollywood icon Barry Williams, 71, The Brady Bunch’s Greg Brady, is the US import reprising roles from Full House to The Masked Singer. “Brady Bunch fans are rooting for him!”
And rugby romeo Luke Bateman, ex-NRL star turned BookTok sensation (@lukereads) and fantasy author, entered for charity Farm Angels. After a knee injury ended his career and a six-month romance with Bachelor pick Ellie Rolfe (complete with matching tats!), he’s swapping the outback for jungle drama. “Once-in-a-lifetime? Yes please!” he gushed pre-show.
The full cast lineup has fans hyped – check out this promo snap of the stars ready for battle!
But with two mystery celebs incoming, the jungle’s about to get even wilder. “Expect big names – and bigger feuds!” hints our source.
Viewers are divided: Some hail the no-vote twist for amping drama, others slam it as “unfair.” “Rachel and Deni deserved better!” rages one petition with thousands of signatures. As trials intensify – think Bushtucker horrors with snakes and slime – alliances are fracturing. “Backstabbing is rife,” whispers an insider. Will Cyrell explode? Can George redeem his rep? And who’ll quit next amid the “toilet terror”?
This season’s already a ratings juggernaut, but at what cost? Rachel’s post-jungle glow-up in Sydney screams resilience, while Deni’s eyeing a comeback tour. Stay glued – the jungle’s just warming up, and the axe is sharpening!