It’s time for AngryKemp: The unlikely friendships we predict for this year’s I’m a Celeb, based on previous odd pairings

I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here is well known for creating organic, surprising bonds among its cast year after year

Now, with the latest line-up confirmed ahead of Sunday’s launch show, we can’t help pondering which stars may gift us with the next big double act during their jungle shenanigans.

Comedian and host Ruby Wax has already declared that she’s “most looking forward to mingling and finding out about everyone,” adding that it comes naturally to her. So, it makes sense that she could end up gravitating towards someone unexpected, like former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, who revealed that the public are about to see her as herself for the first time.

We can just imagine TV veteran Ruby striking up a kinship with Shona, as personas from two different generations find common ground. Let’s see some engaging conversations and fun one-liners coming into play, mirroring the heartwarming hilarity between 2024 alumni GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles.

Shona may already be acquainted with fellow soap legend, Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, and while we’d love to see them chatting about their experiences in the industry, we could also picture Lisa becoming pals with sports presenter and ex-footballer Alex Scott.

With Lisa confessing that she’s “petrified of rats, confined spaces and the dark,” and Alex keen not to succumb to her shyness on I’m a Celebrity, perhaps these ladies can bring out the best in each other, offering mutual support in the camp.

As is tradition by now, it wouldn’t be the first time two contestants from entirely different walks of life became true friends.

Long-time fans of the franchise will recall how singer Jake Quickenden and motorcycle racer Carl Fogarty became like family back in 2014, while Jake also grew close to politician Edwina Currie as the pair shared many a heart-to-heart.

And in 2021, Lisa’s co-star Danny Miller looked upon his childhood hero David Ginola as a father figure in the Welsh castle that became the programme’s temporary setting.

Among the new influx of celebrities, though, is Spandau Ballet star and actor Martin Kemp, who has shared that he’s “a calm person and I am quite laid back.”

We’re sure Martin could use these qualities to support a number of his campmates at various points across the series. But there’s also Angryginge, aka Morgan Burtwistle, who admitted that his “whole life is spent on the phone.”

Let’s face it, we could all do with a detox from technology these days, and in this case, maybe Martin’s presence, and the reminder of an era before smartphones, will help the content creator out.

Of course, we mustn’t rule out male-female friendships. Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt’s memorably sweet bond with actor Larry Lamb was such a hit, as was that of Made In Chelsea’s Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo with Stanley Johnson.

Neither Jack Osbourne nor Kelly Brook are keen to deal with those pesky bugs that linger in the jungle, so they could easily become allies as they fight to endure bushtucker trials and win food.

Of course, should we discover that one pair has a shared interest we’d never have known before, any number of potential duos could form.

What if BBC Radio host and comedian Eddie Kadi gets chatting to Shona and announces he’s a lifelong EastEnders fan, or enjoys crime documentaries just as much as her?

ITV

And, like champion Scarlett in 2016, rapper Aitch, whose real name is Harrison Armstrong, said he has grown up watching I’m a Celebrity, so might this lead to some great chats with hosts Ant and Dec?

Remember, Scarlett went on to appear on the latter’s Saturday Night Takeaway after being crowned, so if he’s as big a fan as she was, maybe this year will see Aitch befriending Ant and Dec?

Anything can happen from here on out, and that’s the true joy of I’m a Celebrity.