Gemma Collins makes tearful confession and tensions rise in I’m A Celeb camp

Gemma Collins tearfully admits she does not want her fellow contestants to think she is weak as tensions between her and Sinitta rise on the next episode of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa.

In a preview of Thursday’s show, the reality TV star continues to struggle with life in the jungle, and tells the Bush Telegraph she needs to call her agent after sleeping in “the worst possible bed” in the Savannah Slum camp.

Collins, 45, also faces a confrontation with pop star Sinitta after the two camps merge and the singer questions her career and talent, referring to the TV personality as a “comedian”.

Early in the episode, former The Only Way Is Essex star Collins makes her campmates laugh as she struggles to adapt to camp life and complains about the sleeping situation.

She says: “We shouldn’t be suffering. Like, let’s get real, we are celebrities – do you know what I mean? No one should have to suffer like this, let alone a celeb.”

The contestants stuck in Savannah Slum are then sent to join the main camp, where Collins is seen tearfully confiding in Craig Charles, who starred with her in the 2014 series.

She says: “No one else knows me here and I don’t want them to think I’m weak.”

The DJ and Red Dwarf actor reassures Collins, adding: “You’re going to fit right in, just be yourself.”

In her original series, Collins quit after three days because she struggled with the environment in Australia, but has called her appearance on the South African version a “redemption”.

Sinitta later asks the reality TV star about the musical Chicago, which Collins had been due to feature in as Matron “Mama” Morton in 2022, but had to withdraw from the production due to a “terrible injury”.

The singer, who has also featured in Chicago on stage, tells Collins she thought the casting was a “joke announcement”.

Collins replies: “It’s not a joke, Sinitta, I auditioned for it fair and square. Did all the training and everything, had a voice coach.”

Sinitta explains: “I think you had just presented something, some awards, and fallen off the stage – it was like you were more of a comedian.”

Comparing her to US socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, Sinitta adds: “Very camp, very glamorous. You don’t really do anything, but you make a great entrance and make everybody laugh.

“I didn’t know you could actually sing, dance and all that jazz.”

Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt and comedian Seann Walsh look shocked as they listen to the tense discussion, and Collins defends herself, saying: “I don’t think you’d get cast as Mama Morton in Chicago if you didn’t pass the audition.”

Elsewhere in the episode, the Savannah Slum residents take on the “petrifying plunge” bushtucker trial.

The stars must dig for keys while trapped in boxes filled with water and aquatic creatures such as crocodiles and catfish.

Collins is seen panicking in the confined space as she says: “Have I got air, have I got air?”

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa can be seen at 9pm on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player, and will air on weeknights.