Famous faces have been appearing on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! since the beginning of the show in 2002, keeping viewers entertained for weeks as they adjust to jungle life.

The stars have done it all, from jumping out of helicopters to eating creepy crawlies, in locations including the Australian jungle, South Africa's Krueger Park and even wet Welsh Gwrych Castle.

But sadly, some of the shows most popular contestants have died since its launch 20 years ago, the Mirror reports.

As the 23rd series returns to our screens tonight, we pay tribute to the former stars of the jungle.

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

Socialite and model Tara was one of the first celebrities to take part in the hit show, appearing on the very first series with Tony Blackburn, Christine Hamilton and Darren Day. She kept viewers entertained and narrowly missed out on being crowned Queen of the Jungle.

One of her no-filter comments that had fans laughing was when she berated Darren for farting. She told him: "When you do that it makes me go 'yuck, I don’t want to be near you'. I don’t what to smell your insides 24/7."

In February 2017, Tara sadly passed away aged 45. She died from a peritonitis and a perforated ulcer, her sister later revealed. Tara had been diagnosed with a prolactinoma - a benign tumour (adenoma) of the pituitary gland - the previous year. Following the heartbreaking news of her passing, campmate Darren tweeted: "I'm so sad to hear that Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has passed away. Thoughts and love to her family RIP Tara."

Freddie Starr

Comedian Freddie Starr spent two days in the jungle during the 2011 series but he had to withdraw from the competition due to health reasons. Explaining his exit, he said "I was sorry to hear the news about what the doctors said - that I was allergic to something, to play it safe and best for me not to go back in."

While he was only in the jungle for a short time, the star left a big impression as he appeared alongside Mark Wright, Corrie's Antony Cotton and athlete Fatima Whitbread. He even told hosts Ant and Dec that he wasn't bother by the smell of a fermented egg as he wolfed one day. The comedian died aged 76. He was found dead at his Spanish home on May 9, 2019, and a post-mortem exam concluded he had died from coronary artery disease.

David Gest

American music producer David kept fans entertained during his stint on I'm A Celeb in 2006, finishing fourth in the competition. David, ex-husband of Liza Minelli, was known for his dry sense of humour and was a favourite among the campmates - amusing them with stories about his maid, Vaginica Seaman.

Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

“Her mother loved her body part so much, that she decided if she had a girl, she was going to call her Vaginica,” David told the bemused jungle dwellers, before confirming: “No bull.” The star was on the show with former newsreader Jan Leeming and EastEnders ' star Dean Gaffney, who had Ant and Dec in hysterics as he screamed during his trials. David passed away, aged 62, in 2016 after suffering a stroke while in a hotel in London.

Eric Bristow

In the 2012 series of I'm A Celebrity, darts player Eric Bristow came fourth and he told Ant and Dec: "I had a great time but I would have liked to make the last three. I would have liked to have a go at the grubs for my kids." .

Londoner Eric and Made in Chelsea's Hugo Taylor developed a bromance during their time in the jungle, with Eric telling his campmate: "I’m sure we’ll be dear friends for the rest of our lives." Eric, 60, suffered a heart attack while attending a Premier League Darts event at the Echo Arena in Liverpool and died in April 2018.

Bobby Ball

Back in 2005, Bobby - part of comedy duo Cannon and Ball - appeared on I'm A Celeb. During an impromptu fashion show in camp, the star sported a pink catsuit. Recalling his time in the jungle in 2013, he told The Mirror : "I endured starvation, sickness and spider bites – but I missed Yvonne (his wife) like crazy." Bobby tragically passed away due to Covid-19 complications in October 2020 at the age of 76.

* The new series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! starts on Sunday on ITV at 9pm

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.