In what can only be described as a reality TV explosion, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia has roared back for its 12th season with a jaw-dropping cast of 13 celebrities – a wild mix of glamour, grit, soap royalty, sports legends, comedians and international icons – all plunging headfirst into the unforgiving wilds of South Africa’s Kruger National Park!

The season premiered on Sunday, January 18, 2026, on Channel 10 (and streaming on 10 Play), with fresh episodes airing Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm and a special Sunday slot at 7pm. And from the very first episode, viewers were treated to pure chaos: heads plunged into boxes of creepy-crawlies, celebs catapulted into the air, buried alive, and facing the infamous Elephant Graveyard survival tasks. The screams, the laughs, the instant camp alliances – it’s all kicking off in spectacular fashion!

Co-hosted by wildlife heartthrob Robert Irwin (fresh from his Dancing With The Stars US victory) and comedy queen Lady Julia Morris, the duo is already delivering gold. Robert teased: “Get ready, celebs, we’re ready to tango! (Actually I’m not ready to tango)” and promised: “Every year, the trials get bigger, the stars get braver, and the jungle gets wilder. It’s going to be an unforgettable ride.” Julia added: “To get to present a show I love, alongside one of the biggest superstars in the world right now, is the purest of joys.”

The format remains brutally simple yet addictive: Celebs endure gruelling Bushtucker Trials involving insects, heights, buried alive horrors and stomach-churning wildlife to earn stars for camp meals – and bragging rights. The last one standing claims a cash prize for their chosen charity and the crown of King or Queen of the Jungle. With two mystery contestants joining early in the week (their identities revealed live), the camp dynamics are already shifting in unpredictable ways.

The Full 2026 Cast: Glamour, Guts and Total Mayhem

This year’s lineup is one of the most eclectic yet – blending international appeal, Aussie icons, reality TV veterans and fresh faces guaranteed to spark fireworks.

• Rachel Hunter (56, New Zealand-born supermodel): The 90s icon, scouted at 16 and once married to Rod Stewart (parents to Renee, 33, and Liam, 31), enters to honour her late mother Jeneen Phillips, who passed from cancer in 2017. “She said, ‘I regret not being fully who I am, always worrying what people will think,’” Rachel shared. “My grief became inspiration. I need to be me.” She admitted dreading animal encounters: “YES … I said YES. So here we go!” Already facing creepy-crawly boxes in the premiere – pure bravery!
• Barry Williams (71, American sitcom legend): Greg Brady from The Brady Bunch brings Hollywood nostalgia! The star of 2019’s A Very Brady Renovation is diving into the jungle for the first time Down Under – expect classic American charm clashing with Aussie grit.
• Mia Fevola (26, influencer/model/content creator/makeup artist): Daughter of AFL legend Brendan Fevola (who won season 2 in 2016), making her “jungle royalty.” Fresh from Dancing With The Stars 2025, Mia’s youthful fearlessness and social media savvy promise drama – and perhaps some makeup tips for campmates!
• Luke Bateman (former NRL player/The Bachelor alum): Played 71 games for Canberra Raiders (2015-2019), now a TikTok BookTok sensation (411k followers) with a debut novel in 2027. He joked: “Trading the Australian outback for the African Jungle… excited to see what Robert and Julia have cooked up – delectable food items and fear-instilling trials!”
• Cyrell Paule (Married at First Sight/The Challenge/The Amazing Race vet): Self-proclaimed “beauty and brains,” supporting Dolly’s Dream (anti-bullying charity). Already clashing and collaborating in survival tasks – classic Cyrell fire!
• Matt Zukowski (model/wrestler/Love Island alum): Known for his short marriage to Tammy Hembrow, he’s a reality stalwart supporting R U OK? suicide prevention. Humble yet cheeky: “I got it in the end, but technically it was my hand that lit the fire” after a fire-lighting fail!
• Concetta Caristo (31, Triple J radio host/comedian): Stand-up since 2019, breakfast radio queen – announced with a simple: “Sooooooooooo 😋.” Expect quick wit around the campfire.
• Gary Sweet (veteran actor): One of Australia’s most recognisable faces (House Husbands co-star with Julia Morris on-screen). Bringing gravitas and perhaps some dramatic monologues.
• Deni Hines (singer, daughter of Marcia Hines): 90s music star (The Rockmelons collabs), Masked Singer alum. Adding soulful vibes to camp singalongs.
• Nath Valvo (stand-up comedian): TV fave from Talking About Your Generation, Cheap Seats, Spicks and Specs. Guaranteed laughs amid the misery.
• Rebekah Elmaloglou (51, soap star): Home and Away, E Street, Neighbours (Terese Willis since 2013). Soap royalty ready for real-life drama.
• Dyson Heppell (former AFL Essendon captain): Played 2011-2024, supporting Very Special Kids charity. Athletic prowess meets jungle survival.
• Two Mystery Celebs: Revealed early – expect even more shocks!

The Jungle Lowdown: South Africa, Spiders and Stars

Filmed in Kruger National Park, the setting promises bigger, wilder trials than ever – spiders, snakes, heights, buried alive, electric shocks. Celebs forfeit luxuries for basic camp life: rice and beans unless stars are won. Campfire confessions, alliances, betrayals, hunger meltdowns – it’s all here.

The season’s mix – glamour (Rachel Hunter), nostalgia (Barry Williams), reality fire (Cyrell, Matt), sport (Luke, Dyson), comedy (Concetta, Nath) – guarantees fireworks. Robert Irwin’s wildlife expertise adds edge (and animal facts), while Julia Morris keeps the laughs flowing.

Fans are obsessed: “Rachel Hunter vs spiders? Iconic!” “Barry Williams in the jungle – Brady Bunch meets bugs!” Early eliminations and charity drives (R U OK?, Dolly’s Dream, Very Special Kids) add heart.

As trials ramp up, expect tears, triumphs and the crowning of a new Jungle monarch. One thing’s certain: This 2026 season is already unforgettable!