First Episode Wrap Up

* Survivor Summary written by CJ

So, you missed the first episode but want to keep up with the show? Here's a wrap up and summary of what you missed ...

The show opens with Dicko standing on the side of a big rock, miles of ocean stretching behind him, as he tells us what's in store for the celebrities over the next 25 days.

The group was broken into 2 teams, girls and guys, but they were surprised with a new team member each - Justin Melvey for the girls and Gabrielle Richens for the guys. The girls were thankful to have someone to help them start a fire, but the boys were a little worried what their wives would think with sexy covergirl Gabrielle sleeping between them.

Kim Johnson & Nicole Dickson seem the most surprised that they haven't been given bottles of drinking water and camping equipment, but the entire crew were a little shocked as they started their adventure - hunting for water with only a basic map and small waterbottle in tow.

The first challenge saw the teams swim out around 30 metres into the ocean to retreive a chest filled with statue pieces, tied with rope 4 foot underwater. The girls struggled a little with the weight of the chests, while the guys powered through, leading by 2 chests.

Imogen struggled with hers, unable to take a breath to untie the knot. Justin came to the rescue and swam 2 chests to the shore in record time. While the girls finished bringing in the chests, the guys struggled putting the pieces of their statue together, giving the girls valuable time to catch up.

It looked like the girls were going to take out the challenge after the boys got their statue wrong, but they came through and won the challenge with a reward of fish, fruit and some equipment to catch fish.

The second challenge saw the celebrities getting a little dirty ... chasing after pigs in a mud pit will do that to ya! Imogen sat out, fighting back tears as the pigs screamed and ran while the contestants chased and dived.

All pigs were painted with 2 colors, barely visible under the black mud, and had to be sorted into 2 pens. The celebs had to chase their pig and try to pick it up without it slipping over - an almost impossible task that made for some classic television moments!

The boys were victorious again, and this time the reward was a 6 foot ex-SAS agent to teach them how to survive in the jungle ... the catch however is that the reward also becomes a contestant, so the pampered celebs are now up against a man used to surviving in much more difficult circumstances.

The show wrapped up with the traditional Survivor Council, with the girls heading to the chopping blocks to lose one of their team. Imogen was certain she was going to be sent packing by her girls after losing them the first challenge, but it was dancing with the stars contestant Kym Johnson who was sent home almost unanimously.

That's all for episode 1, so be sure to be watching next Thursday for the next exciting episode!

Celebrities soldier on with expert help

IT sounds like a dream come true. A well-built former Aussie SAS officer drops on to a deserted island as you desperately try to survive the elements.

Ben, 32, from Perth, was a welcome surprise package for contestants struggling to find food in Vanuatu for Celebrity Survivor, which airs tonight on Channel 7.
Speaking from Baghdad, where he is working as a bodyguard, the previously camera-shy Ben said: "I learnt a lot about myself and found new skills I never had."

The Eye hears that it might not be the last time we see him on TV.

"If opportunities came up, I'd jump at it," Ben said.

Celebs' survival tactics

WITH 25 days to spend in the harsh natural elements of Vanuatu, the 11 celebrity survivors thought they were in for a relaxing time.

Little did they know what was in store.

With just one change of clothing and some wet weather gear, they were only allowed one item they couldn't live without.

Their chosen luxuries? Tarot cards, mascara and a football, all useful stuff - not.

There will be two tribes going to war, Moso and Kakula.

The Moso tribe consists of model Imogen Bailey; former Home and Away actor Nicolle Dickson; white witch Fiona Horne; Dancing with the Stars dancer Kym Johnson; Princess Mary's bridesmaid Amber Petty and actor Justin Melvey.

The Kakula tribe consists of former Wallabies vice-captain Elton Flatley; world 500CC motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner; former world iron man champion Guy Leech; MP David Oldfield and model Gabrielle Richens.

The contestants impressed host Ian Dickson, even though they initially thought they were going to be huts or tents to live in. They also thought there was going to be some food available.

“They arrived on the island and were amazed that there was nothing but sea, sand and jungle,” he says.

“Me, I was at a beautiful resort down the road, sipping on cocktails and tucking into food, and I would arrive each morning and let the contestants know that I wasn’t hungry.

“By day three many of them were starving. "

Dickson admired them for turning up and how they conducted themselves. They were out of their comfort zones and being put through some gruelling tests, just like the Survivor format.

“The things these guys had to do to gain immunity was impressive, and what they had to eat to win their tasks was disgusting,” he says.

“It will make you sick to watch.

"This is truly do or die stuff, they really had to test themselves."

Celebrity Survivor is going to test the celebrities and watching them doing it tough will be fun.

Celebrity Survivor, Thursday, 8.30pm, Seven/GWN