I’M A Celebrity’s first terrifying challenge proved too much for one of this year’s stars.
HOAR can exclusively reveal Gogglebox’s Babatunde Aleshe pulled out of the vertigo-inducing Walk The Plank challenge after 45 minutes of deliberation.
Babetunde, 36, was joined by Lionesses star Jill Scott and newsreader Charlene White for the challenge – which sees the celebrities walking out on planks suspended from a 32-storey building overlooking the Gold Coast
The trial, which has been renamed The Ledge on this year’s series, was hampered by windy conditions.
As the stars were strapped into their harnesses, onlookers revealed how everyone looked nervous.
But as Charlene, 42, and Jill, 35, calmly walked out to the tip of the plank – Babetunde was left standing with his head in his hands.
An onlooker said: “Babetunde was really struggling during The Ledge and everyone felt for him.
“It truly is a terrifying task and no one can grasp the scale of it until you are there.
“Jill and Charlene were being really encouraging of Babetunde but to no avail.
“He stood there thinking and willing himself to do it for almost an hour but in the end he chose not to do it.
“Babetunde naturally appeared upset but there is nothing to be ashamed of. You need nerves of steel to do that and not many would have the guts.”
As Jill and Charlene took on the task, Babetunde was seen cheering them on with hosts Ant and Dec.
The pair completed the challenge and received a huge round of applause as the end of the ledge tipped and they dropped down on ropes.
Alongside this trio other stars including Mike Tindall, Boy George and Olivia Attwood took on the feat.
I’m A Celebrity has returned to its Australian base for the first time since 2019 after the pandemic forced ITV to stage its biggest show in Gwrych Castle, Wales.
The series has been brought forward this year to allow room in the schedules for the World Cup later in the month.
As part of this year’s bumper show, bosses have introduced a number of big twists which will delight viewers.
The format features new trials and will see half of the stars abandoned on a desert island before going into camp.
I’m A Celebrity starts this Sunday at 9pm on ITV.
