Fashanu (top, second left) endured a Bushtucker Trial

That is higher than every instalment of the first series except the final.

Viewers will get nightly instalments of the show, which sees a group of celebrities camping on the slopes of a remote volcano in southern Queensland, Australia, for two weeks.

They have to fend for themselves and live among jungle creatures, while viewers have the chance to vote them out one by one.

The show's participants include Actress Danniella Westbrook, dancer Wayne Sleep and cricketer Phil Tufnell.

Viewers also saw ex-footballer John Fashanu endure a task with jungle creatures and former Coronation Street star Chris Bisson injure himself falling off a tree.

The daily updates of the first series were watched by between six and nine million, with almost 11 million tuning in to see Tony Blackburn crowned King of the Jungle in September.

I'M A CELEBRITY... FAVOURITES Phil Tufnell - 5-2 Toyah Willcox - 11-2 Antony Worrall Thompson - 11-2 Sian Lloyd - 13-2 Chris Bisson - 13-2 Source: William Hill

Monday's ITV1 show beat James Nesbitt's new drama, Murphy's Law - seen by an average of six million on BBC One at the same time.

After the show, bookmakers cut the odds on celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson to win, making him joint second favourite at 11-2.

Bisson received medical attention after falling from a tree after fellow contestants sent him up the tree to kill a "deadly" spider.

The actor suffered a blow to the head and cuts to his shoulder and ear but was soon given the all-clear by a show doctor.

A spokeswoman for the ITV1 programme said: "Chris was very shocked by the fall and we called in a medic to check he was OK.

"Luckily, he wasn't seriously injured and he is now back in camp."

Volcano camp

The other contestants are model Catalina Guirado, singer Toyah Willcox and Changing Rooms designer Linda Barker.

The first day of the show, hosted by Ant McParltlin and Declan Donnelly, also saw the return of familiar activities - notably the Bushtucker Trial, which contestants must complete to win food.

Former Gladiators presenter Fashanu appeared mortified when he was nominated for the challenge, which involved pouring 10 boxes of bugs down his trousers.

Biting and stinging

He looked uncomfortable as worms, crayfish, stink beetles, cockroaches, stick insects and crickets swarmed over his skin.

Fashanu called the challenge to an end before the eighth box, which would have seen rats join the other creepy-crawlies.

Afterwards, he said: "It was tough, they were biting and stinging. It wasn't nice at all - it was horrible.

"I'm pleased that I did it, the team need the food, but I do not want to do that again."

Monday's public phone poll picked Guirado to face a crocodile-infested pit in an effort to secure more food for the group.