TERRIFIED I'm a Celebrity stars had to parachute into the jungle during a rainstorm yesterday.
Comedian Vic Reeves' wife Nancy Sorrell gasped in horror as she, Paul Burrell, Fran Cosgrave and Joe Pasquale made the 12,000ft leap.
The jump was sprung on them in a cruel surprise by the ITV crew, who dragged them out of their luxury hotel beds at 4am.
But Nancy panted: "I can't believe I did it, but I really loved it. It was tough. After I'd jumped off a plane millions of feet up I think I can do anything - well, not really, but it's given me so much confidence."
Before his leap ex-Royal butler Burrell revealed his pal - movie star Tom Hanks - had left him an odd message. He said: "When I phoned home to say 'goodbye' to my boys, they very excitedly told me 'Daddy, Tom Hanks has sent you a message ... he says 'Don't let the bugs crawl up yer ass'!"
In another twist, the other celebs - Sophie Anderton, Janet Street-Porter, Sheila Ferguson and Antonio 'Huggy Bear' Fergas - had to trek to camp on horseback, cowboy-style.
About 16 million viewers are expected to watch tonight's first episode of ITV1's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! And they'll also see the knives being sharpened as the bitching begins.
Terrified Burrell is seen hanging on to Nancy for dear life as she tries to calm him down before the plunge, which included a five-second free-fall in tandem with a trainer. But he ignored her advice as he leapt, screaming: "No, no, no."
But when Princess Diana's former butler finally did it the weather rapidly worsened as rain beat down and a huge gust of wind blew him and his jump expert a quarter mile off course. A helicopter was sent to fetch them.
An ITV spokesman said: "All four were floored when told of their task. The producers had asked them in interviews that if they were asked to do a parachute jump, would they agree to do it. They all said 'yes'.
"But they thought they were being flown into the Australian jungle."
Natalie Appleton almost failed the first task as she faced up to her fear of flying. The petrified All-Saints star was comforted as the plane took off and Sophie told her: "Breathe deeply baby. Don't cry, you'll be fine."
But as the helicopter banked steeply ashen-faced Nat clung onto the seat for dear life, screaming for a sick bag.
As Natalie's group got on their horses Janet told her expert instructor: "I'm not getting on a horse unless I've got an idea of a cut-off point."
And no sooner had the celebs swung into the jungle than the bitchfest began. Burrell was the first victim when Sheila joked about his sexuality.
Asked if she fancied any of the contestants, The Three Degrees singer said: "Oh Gawd, you've got to be joking! I thought Paul Burrell was gay but somebody said 'Oh no, he's married.' But that doesn't mean a lot."
Sir Elton John, in a message of support for his prickly pal Janet Street-Porter warned: "Ooh, now there's fireworks - Janet and Paul Burrell. That would be quite an interesting celebrity death match. I don't think she likes him very much."
Meanwhile, grief-stricken Brian Harvey last night confirmed he'll be staying in the jungle for the two-week show and will miss his gran Betty Nabb's funeral. Betty brought him up after his parents split, and the former E-17 singer said: "It came as a great shock. I weighed up going into the jungle or getting on the plane home. My nan was excited about me coming to do the show. Both her and my grandad would not have wanted me to miss out on this amazing opportunity."
LATEST ODDS4/1: Natalie and Joe
5/1: Antonio
7/1: Brian 8/1: Nancy 10/1: Janet and Sophie 12/1: Fran.
14/1: Sheila and Paul
Sunday Mirror