Sulu joins new jungle gang
STAR Trek’s George Takei has signed up for his strangest mission yet — joining the cast of I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!
The gay star, 71, is famed for exploring space as Mr Sulu in the classic sci-fi series.
But he’s unlikely to have encountered anything like the bizarre world awaiting him in the Australian jungle, where he will face snakes, spiders AND perma-tanned politician Robert Kilroy-Silk.
George, the ITV show’s oldest-ever contestant, insists he will cope when the series starts this Sunday.
He said: “I’m physically fit. I used to run marathons, now I work out every day.”
And the actor claimed he was ready for any gut-wrenching Bushtucker trials.
He said: “I’m Japanese and love sushi. I’ve even eaten live fish. It was delicious.”
George, who recently wed partner Brad Altman, is one of three gays on the show’s eighth series.
As The Sun revealed, ex Met deputy Brian Paddick is in the line-up, along with former tennis champ Martina Navratilova.
The remaining contestants are Carly Zucker — fiancee of soccer’s Joe Cole — ex-EastEnder Joe Swash, former Blue singer Simon Webbe, TV host Dani Behr, Esther Rantzen, and glamour girl Nicola McLean.
I’m A Celebrity kicks off on ITV1 on Sunday at 9pm.
'I'm A Celeb' stars in pay row?
Contestants on I'm A Celebrity... are apparently fuming over their pay packets for appearing on the reality show.
Nicole McLean, 24, was angered when she realised her £7,500 wage was considerably less than Dani Behr's £40,000 deal, the Daily Mail says.
WAG Carly Zucker, who will get paid £10,000, reportedly backed up the former glamour model and threatened to quit until producers pointed out that the exposure could lead to magazine deals.
Martina Navratilova, 52, has apparently secured £30,000, while 68-year-old Esther Rantzen is said to be pocketing £25,000. An insider said: "Producers are holding out hope that Martina will be one of the most controversial and vocal figures on the show."
George Takei, 71, who played Mr. Sulu in the original Star Trek series, is on £20,000. He complained that the show was a "complete shambles" after no-one met him at Brisbane airport and he was left "wandering the airport for 30 minutes" alone.
I'm A Celebrity... starts on Sunday on ITV at 9pm.
Swash unhappy with 'stern' Navratilova
I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! star Joe Swash has expressed fears that his teammate Martina Navratilova could become a rival in the jungle.
The former EastEnders actor admitted that he was apprehensive about spending time with Navratilova after the former tennis champion appeared to doubt his chances of succeeding in the group's first challenge.
Swash was speaking after being picked to represent his team in a Trauma Tank task.
"She didn't want me to do it in the first place," Swash complained. "I could tell that she didn't because there's quite a lot riding on it. As soon as I put my hand up I could see her face drop.
"Then she had a bit of a dig at me outside so I think she'll be quite stern. And she's a big girl isn't she! I really hope I don't get on the wrong side of her."
The star then admitted that he regretted putting himself forward for the task, explaining: "If I could change my mind I would now. I'm starting to think it wasn't the brightest decision I ever made."
I'm A Celebrity premieres at 9.00pm tonight on ITV1.
'Celeb' contestants divided on first day
The I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! contestants have been split into two separate camps after going head-to-head in their first challenge.
Show hosts Ant and Dec surprised the celebrities on their first day by revealing that a trial would take place before they even set foot in the jungle. The result would determine the quality of camp life for each contestant, with one location offering more comfort than the other.
With the contestants already divided into two teams, one celebrity from each group was required to represent their squad by taking part in a Trauma Tank challenge.
After much discussion, former EastEnders actor Joe Swash was picked to play for his team, which also features Brian Paddick, Dani Behr, George Takei and Martina Navratilova.
Meanwhile, ex-Blue singer Simon Webbe was chosen by Esther Rantzen, Carly Zucker, Nicola McLean and Robert Kilroy-Silk to represent their own group.
The task saw both contestants being challenged to gather more stars than their opponent after being placed in large tanks with rats, eels and scorpions.
The result will be revealed when the show premieres on ITV1 tonight at 9.00pm.
