'I used to be one of the most hated women in Britain!' Former I'm a Celebrity contestant opens up about transformative jungle experience

In 2002, Ms Hamilton joined the line-up of unaware celebrities, eagerly awaiting to find out what the Australian outback had in store for them.

Given that Ms Hamilton appeared on the first series of the Australian experiment, she admitted that she and her fellow contestants had "no idea" about what to expect.

"They talked about sort of rice and beans and snakes and all that sort of thing.

"And I thought, well, all that sounds a bit tough, but we were having a very tough time back home then, and life was pretty grim.

"So I thought, well, it can't be any worse than real life. So we honestly did not know what was coming. I swear we tumbled out into the camp and I loved it.

"It is glorious, but I honestly thought that there probably would be a nice tiled bathroom next door.

"It never crossed my mind that it was absolutely 100 per cent for real. They told us it was, but of course they didn't quite believe it. But I loved it. I loved every minute of it."

As an afterthought, she admitted that she might not have loved every minute, but that it was "the most fabulous experience".

"What it did, it turned people's view of me completely on its head.

"And I've gone into the jungle as one of the most hated women in the country, or disliked, whatever you want to say. And people suddenly saw the real me.

"And, you know, basically, I'm quite nice. I'm fine. I'm kind to animals, you know. And when people get to know the real me, they think, oh, gosh, she's not this awful old witch that we, the newspapers, had told us she was.

"Oh, you're always a battleaxe, Christine. You'll always be a battle axe," Stephen interjected.

"But there's a big difference between a battle axe and a witch," Ms Hamilton argued.

Now, the series is on its 25th run, hosted by much-loved Geordie duo Ant and Dec, and will return on Sunday evening as a brand-new bunch of fresh-faced celebrities will make their debut on the show.

This year, the current line-up has received mixed reviews, including the likes of Emmerdale and Strictly star Lisa Riley as well as English footballer Alex Scott.

Spandau star Martin Kemp and comedy queen Ruby Wax are both due to grace Britons' screens, as well as the likes of 25-year-old rapper Aitch and YouTuber Jack Osbourne.

This year's I'm a Celeb will be followed by the second series of I'm a Celebrity All Stars next year, lining up some of the most iconic campers from over the years.

For a bit of an extra added shake-up, the spin-off will be set in the sunny climes of South Africa.

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