I’m A Celebrity Australia 2019: Jacqui Lambie, Sam Dastyari arrive - NEWS.com.au

Well, it’s that time of year again — when we get to watch celebrities slum it in the jungle from the comfort of our couches.

But the only problem was this season’s contestants seemed to be lacking in any serious star power, with no international celebrities joining the cast for the first time in I’m A Celeb history.

Hosts Dr Chris Brown and comedian Julia Morris kicked off the episode by announcing there would be a “twist” this season.

Instead of just one camp, this year’s celebrities would be split into two factions — the Campers which had couches and comfy cushions, while the Caretaker’s camp was sparsely furnished with a dreaded double bunk.

To make matters worse, those in the Caretakers camp had to cook and clean for the other group.

“What you’re getting basically is the haves versus the erghs situation,” Morris said.

First to arrive was gossip reporter Richard Reid, followed by former Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie — who basically confirmed she was using I’m A Celebrity as a re-election campaign by announcing she was a “freelance” senator hoping to get back into parliament.

Despite bonding over Botox, team captains Reid and Lambie were soon pitted against each other in the first challenge.

Both had to answer questions about the other celebrities and get sprayed with colour dye if they were wrong, with Lambie emerging victorious.

Back at base, first to arrive were Luke Jacobz and Ajay Rochester, who - while polite - clearly had no idea who the other person was.

“I don’t have a lot of celebrity friends,” Rochester explained to producers afterwards.

Next to arrive was Dermott Brereton, followed by newsreader Natasha Exelby, former MasterChef star Justine Schofield, Love Island’s Justin Lacko, Fat Pizza’s Tahir Bilgic and Sam Dastyari — who had a very warm reunion with Lambie.

Despite being arguably the least famous of the line up, Lacko appeared to struggle the most to recognise who each star was, incorrectly calling Schofield “Simone”.

Viewers watching at home seemed to be going through the same struggle as the Love Island star, taking to Twitter to vent that it was “better than a game of Guess Who”.

After getting acquainted with each other, it was time to split into opposing teams and face off in their first challenge.

Lacko and Simone — sorry we mean Schofield — copped the worst of it, standing in the snake pit as their teammates tried to collect tokens.

The red team led by Lambie emerged victorious from the first trial, and couldn’t have been more excited to learn they wouldn’t have to clean or cook that night as they saw their new digs.

“It’s like Club Med this side and the Bronx that side,” Lambie said bluntly, admitting she had no guilt about her better quarters.

When the blue team arrived hours later — they also had to take the long way back to camp — they were less than impressed with their new living quarters.

“What have I done? This really is very, very, bad,” Exelby said, while Schofield described the flimsy bunk beds as a “nightmare”.

As the celebrities go to know each other, it became clear Rochester would be one of the contestants that would be keeping things interesting this year.

She kicked things off by sharing a very TMI fact with the rest of the camp — it had been a long time since she had gotten intimate with anyone.

“I’ve reclaimed my virginity,” she revealed. “You have to after nine years.”

In an unusual move, Ten decided to announce a slew of celebrities in the days leading up to Sunday’s premiere.

Dastyari and Lambie confirmed weeks of speculation that they were the “controversial politicians” appearing on the reality show.

Before entering the jungle Lambie promised she would be “stirring up a lot of s**t” in order to win.

“I’m coming in there to break them. I want them down and out so I can bring home the trophy,” she said.

Footy legend Brereton was revealed on Sunday morning as the AFL champion known for his hair-raising play alongside US “gossip guru” Reid.

Last week, Goggleboxers Angie Kent and Yvie Jones were confirmed, with both admitting they were scared of being judged by audiences.

“I think karma is coming to bite me in the bum! I have laughed at these people for so long and judged them and gone, ‘oh that’s easy’ and now it’s all coming around on me,” Yvie said.

Both ladies will have a little bit more time before they have to face those fears and enter the jungle, with Dr Brown and Morris confirming they will make their camp appearance a day after the other celebs.

— I’m A Celebrity continues Monday night at 7.30pm on Network 10.

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