Martin Kemp finally tackled his first Bushtucker Trial – but fans still weren’t satisfied.
The I’m A Celebrity star teamed up with Tom Read Wilson for the Lethal Library challenge as the pair rummaged through shelves in search of stars. But despite this being Martin’s first proper trial – after being exempt from several others – viewers were left underwhelmed by how much he actually had to do.
Complaints have been rumbling for days that the “forgotten” campmate has barely appeared on camera, and even his own family has commented. His wife Shirlie recently joked on TV that he needed to “do more” while he’s out in the jungle.
After all the build-up, some fans felt the trial ended up being far too easy for Martin, especially given how long they’d waited to see him take part.
Martin Kemp was stood in reception for the Bushtucker Trial (Credit: ITV)
Martin Kemp faces his real Bushtucker Trial
We finally saw Martin Kemp step into the spotlight – and even flex his vocal cords – as he tackled a Bushtucker Trial crammed with books, snakes and plenty of jungle mayhem.
It was the Spandau Ballet icon’s first major trial of the series, after weeks of viewers grumbling about his lack of airtime. But that all shifted when he joined forces with Tom Read Wilson for the Lethal Library challenge.
The pair were tasked with hunting down seven books hidden throughout the cramped, critter-infested library. Martin’s job was to decipher the pictogram clues and to tell Tom what books to find in the other room – the library. When he found them, Tom would send them back to Martin at reception and he would collect the star.
Each star equaled a meal at camp, so they needed a full seven stars if they wanted to eat well tonight.
Tom never faltered in the challenge, even speaking to the critters and animals he came across in the dingy and dirty library. As Tom gingerly sifted through the shelves, he apologised to every snake he accidentally disturbed.
“Oh, darling, you’re on top,” he sighed at one particularly relaxed serpent. “Look, I’m going to do it gingerly because I think it might be a big one.”
Then came the moment fans loved most. While Tom continued searching for The Jungle Book, Ant, Dec and Martin broke into a cheerful rendition of The Bare Necessities, turning the grimy library into an impromptu musical number.
The duo managed to take home five stars – two short of a full feast for the camp.
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