I'm A Celebrity's Alan Halsall takes savage swipe at Ant and Dec just minutes into ITV show

I'm a Celebrity contestant Alan Halsall delivered a sharp jibe at hosts Ant and Dec just minutes into tonight's opening episode. The widely anticipated I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! returns with a line-up of celebrities ready to tackle its gruelling challenges as they vie for the title currently held by 2023 champion, Sam Thompson.

Hosting legends Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly are back to guide viewers through the antics from the Australian jungle.

The first episode kicked off with a stomach-churning drink challenge for Tulisa, Oti Mabuse, Jane Moore, Danny Jones, and Dean McCullough followed by a skydiving adventure. Safely ashore, they joined forces with their campmates GK Barry, Coleen Rooney, Melvin Odoom, Alan Halsall and Jane Moore.

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Half of the stars made their grand entrance via helicopter jump as the rush to camp got underway. Before teaming up with Tulisa and clinching victory in the series' inaugural task, Alan didn't miss the chance to humorously comment on Ant and Dec's stature saying, "I mean they are only small they could be about." Melvin chimed in, "They're about my height to be fair".

In his VT Alan opened up about his personal fears. While many participants listed critters or vertiginous tasks among their fears, Alan confessed a unique phobia: his terror of bacon and fish. This odd reveal leaves viewers wondering how he'll cope with the jungle food challenges ahead.

While the camp may appear harmonious, a rift could be brewing between two contestants as they settle into jungle life. Social media star GK Barry, 25, and presenter Dean McCullough, 32, have revealed starkly contrasting attitudes.

Dean, who describes himself as a "glass half full kind of guy", told the MailOnline that he has little patience for those who are content to "put their feet up". In contrast, GK proudly declared herself a "glass half empty kind of girl" and joked that she was using the show as an opportunity to "relax in a hammock for a couple of weeks" She even admitted: "I won't bring much to the camp, or clean much."

Ahead of tonight's show, Dean issued a stern warning to his fellow contestants: "There could be a few people on that lineup who think, 'I'm just going to sit this one out, I'm not going to do the washing up' but yes they are."

Meanwhile, on I'm A Celebrity... Unpacked, Colson Smith observed of his co-star Alan: "He's really throwing himself in and it's great to see him having so much fun. I know Alan very well... I thought coming into this environment he might be a bit different, standoffish, quiet, but he seems to be having the time of his life, smiling away."

He continued: "I want to see him do a trial. I think from seeing him tonight, he is going to throw himself in. I heard a rumour that Alan is terrible with spiders, so he's kept that quiet when going in."

Colson revealed his second favourite campmate: "So far, I do love Danny. I think he's just so into it, and the rock hands at every opportunity - he's going for it. Everyone's got their thing, haven't they."

Speaking about Alan and Tulisa's bond, Colson said: "They seem to be quite smitten now. They seem to be like two best mates."