I’m A Celebrity contestant Maura Higgins was left surprised during last night’s episode when her birthday celebrations took an unexpected turn.
The Love Island star, who joined the show as a late arrival alongside Reverend Richard Coles, had been anticipating a chocolate cake to mark her special day.
Instead, the campmates were informed they would need to “earn” their treats by participating in a group trial involving a bug-filled bus.
The challenge came shortly after Higgins and Coles had already faced their first bushtucker trial, where they successfully consumed 12 themed dishes including pig’s eyeballs and goat’s testicle.
As Higgins expressed nervousness about the trial, having never done a Bushtucker Trial before, Coronation Street star Alan Halsall stepped in with a touching gesture of support.
The 42-year-old actor reassured his fellow campmate that she was under no obligation to participate in the challenge.
The campmates will take part in a group trial tonight
ITV
In a particularly kind move, Halsall promised to give Higgins his share of the treat if she chose not to take part in the Fright Bus trial.
The heartwarming moment showcased Halsall’s supportive nature, as he made valid points to help calm down his anxious campmate.
Viewers took to social media to praise Halsall’s considerate behaviour towards Higgins.
“Alan offering to give his treat to Maura because she’s worried. Omg I’m sobbing, he’s such a cutie pie,” wrote one fan on X.
Maura Higgins shared her anxiety ahead of the trial, leaving Alan to comfort her
ITV
Another viewer commented: “Alan reassuring Maura was so lovely. He made valid points and calmed her down.
“Even offering to give up his treat to Maura if she drops out. Alan Halsall is extremely underrated. What a guy.”
“Alan offering Maura her treat if she doesn’t do the task. He’s so soso sweet,” added a third viewer.
Despite Halsall’s generous offer, Higgins ultimately decided to join her fellow contestants on the Fright Bus challenge.
Their sweet interaction comes off the back of viewers getting annoyed with Dean McCullough after purposefully annoying Tulisa Contostavlos – despite rowing with Halsall over the same matter days before.
As the camp began to wake up, Oti Mabuse and Coles noticed that Contostavlos was still in her slumber and decided to leave her a little longer.
Maura went ahead with the trial anyway but realised she would be last out of the bus
ITV
However, McCullough had other ideas and began to sing loudly in front of her to wake her up, leaving viewers to slam the Radio 1 DJ and brand him “two-faced”.
The incident came just hours after McCullough shouted at Halsall for interrupting his sleep and waking him up to do the chores he had been assigned to – leaving the pair to engage in a tense conversation.
