Maura Higgins, the famous Love Islander and influencer, is set to appear in this year’s edition of I’m a Celebrity, but viewers were surprised when she didn’t appear in the show’s first episode.
Higgins was ‘announced’ in the show’s lineup by various sources that have stated herself and Reverand and Radio host Richard Cole are set to join the jungle as late additions.
Many viewers who tuned in to last night’s first episode of I'm a Celeb were surprised to not see the pair from the start, however, with many simply seeing a list of names set to appear and seeing Higgins on there.
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The former Love Islander posted on Instagram on Thursday of last week to hint at her appearance, posting a picture of a plane with the caption ‘where to next’.
Hours later, however, she revealed she was in Las Vegas rather than the jungle.
According to the Daily Mail, who claim to have spoken to an ITV insider, the influencer is on a brand trip, which was pre-agreed as part of her schedule.
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She is joining fellow influencer Stacey Solomon on the trip for the brand SpaceNK.
The ITV source that spoke to the Daily Mail confirmed when she would be arriving in the jungle, however, saying: “She will be arriving this week, the brand trip was always part of the schedule as Maura had agreed to it and it fit into her arrival dates for the Jungle.”
They also stated that her arrival was ‘imminent’.
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The former Love Islander was added to the roster for this year after Tommy Fury pulled out of a planned appearance.
According to insiders who spoke to The Sun, this opened up the space for another member of the ITV reality show to go into the jungle.
Higgins will join a host of celebrities in the jungle as this year’s edition of I’m a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here is full of big names.
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The biggest name - and highest-paid star - is Coleen Rooney, a.k.a Wagatha Christie.
READ MORE: Rebekah Vardy shares brutal dig after I'm A Celeb star made 'Wagatha Christie' joke
In addition is Danny Jones of McFly, boxing legend Barry McGuigan, N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos, and Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse.
The first episode has already seen several stand out moments, with Coleen being subjected to a Wagatha Christie joke almost immediately.
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In addition to this, one particular moment that stood out to viewers saw Danny Jones being forced to call in producers after a snake crawled into his trousers.
LADbible has contacted ITV and Maura Higgins' representatives for comment.
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Topics: ITV, Im A Celebrity, Love Island, TV, TV and Film, Maura Higgins
Michael Slavin