ITV I’m A Celebrity fans reckon they’ve spotted this year’s ‘unexpected friendship’

I’m A Celebrity viewers think they’ve spotted this series’ 'unexpected friendship’ in ‘iconic duo’ Maura Higgins and Rev Richard Coles. The two celebrities made their debut on the ITV show as the latecomers to the jungle.

Love Island star Maura, 33, and writer and broadcaster Richard, 62, were announced on Wednesday night’s show as the two extra additions to the celebrity line up. Each year extra celebrities join the camp before the first week is out.

In Thursday’s episode the pair are sent to Jungle Junkyard, a separate campsite away from the other celebrities. Immediately the contrast between the two celebrities became apparent but the two of them got on like a house on fire despite their age gaps and backgrounds.

READ MORE: ITV I’m A Celebrity fans say ‘please stop’ after Dean’s ‘boring’ bushtucker trial

Maura and Richard then faced their first challenge of the series, along with Melvin from the main camp. The trial involved them being in two levels, with the pair pouring offal down on Melvin.

Unbeknownst to him, the other two wouldn’t be enduring any hardship, and instead got to nibble on various treats while trying to convince him they were struggling as well. Fans took to X to share how much they loved the twist in the trial, @ladeedahdahday said: “nah this is actually a belter whoever came up with this twist deserves a raise”.

But viewers weren’t just impressed by the trial as they praised the ‘iconic duo’ of Maura and Richard. @dangreasby said: “richard and maura might be the best late arrivals of all time”@YouBearsssssss added: “So Maura AND Richard the couple we never thought we needed!!They are acting brilliantly!!!!”

@emsth0ughts posted: “i didn’t have maura and richard being an iconic duo on my bingo card for this series, but i’m so here for it” and @jnkjude said: “maura and richard being the most entertaining and they’ve been here for 5 mins “

@katyajcnes wrote: “not love islands maura higgins and gods reverend richard coles being the duo i never knew i needed” and @eds_afterglow said:” Every year there’s the friendship no one expected and this year it’s Maura Higgins and reverend Richard Coles.”

For more of today's top stories, click here.