I’m A Celebrity Australia cast unveiled, as fans question ‘international star’

The I’m A Celebrity Australia cast was unveiled during the premiere last night, but viewers were left scratching their heads over the headlining talent.

I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! premiered in Australia on Monday night, with the full line-up of names officially unveiled.

Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm, MasterChef’s Poh Ling Yeow, retired NRL player Beau Ryan and former AFL coach Nathan Buckley were among a host of homegrown celebs to enter the jungle, but it was the “international star” that had viewers talking.

UK reality star Joey Essex was billed as the big name going into camp, but Aussie viewers were left scratching their heads, with many having no idea who he is.

who is joey essex #ImACelebrityAU

— taryn ʕง•ᴥ•ʔง (@thereafter) January 3, 2022

Never heard of Joey Essex.

— Reen 🇦🇺😻♥️ (@Miss_Rinish) January 3, 2022

I watch A LOT of reality tv & have never heard of joey Essex 😂#ImACelebrityAU

— J🍩ey💉💉 (@jojoeyjo9) January 3, 2022

#ImACelebrityAU

Joey Essex? pic.twitter.com/0ZEJYnxSAy

— Covid Questions with Banjo (@lovemylocalsapp) January 3, 2022

#ImACelebrityAU no idea who Joey Essex is but wiki says he has been on UK version I’m a celeb.

— Erin (@erin_star82) January 3, 2022

WTF is a Joey Essex?!#ImACelebrityAU

— Lord of the Cünts (@OrangeFizzer) January 3, 2022

Please, allow us to educate you.

The 31-year-old from London has appeared on a host of reality shows over in the UK, including the 2013 season of I’m A Celebrity, in which he finished fourth.

He first shot to notoriety on the popular reality series The Only Way Is Essex (Towie) in 2011, before going on to star in further local productions including Celebrity SAS, Celebrity Ex on the Beach, Splash! and The Jump.

In essence, he’s quite the reality TV veteran.

Joey Essex is the ‘international star’ on I'm A Celebrity Australia.

Elsewhere, Essex has launched various beauty products including a hair range and two fragrances, as well as his own clothing line.

Essex joins the aforementioned celebs in the jungle, as well as TV and radio star Dylan Lewis, former Miss Universe Australia beauty Maria Thattil, comedian Cal Wilson, AFL legend Derek Kickett and country music singer Brooke McClymont.

The first episode usually consists of awkward greetings as the stars try to decipher who each other are, and this year, the celebs had to put on their biggest fake smiles to greet an impostor posing as a “massive influencer”.

The impostor in question is Dave from the Gold Coast, a complete random who is purporting to be a famous shoe designer known as “The David”.

The cast of I’m A Celebrity Australia 2022.

I’m A Celebrity was filmed late last year in northern NSW.

Reality TV and Instagram sensation Abbie Chatfield took out the crown in 2021, beating Grant Denyer to assume the title of queen of the jungle.

This year’s victor will win $100,000 for their chosen charity.

I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! continues Tuesday night from 7.30pm AEDT on Channel 10