It's all down to Joe Public

Squeaky comic Joe Pasquale is today set to seal his status as the I'm A Celebrity jungle favourite when he undertakes his first bushtucker challenge.

The Essex comedian was picked by his eight remaining campmates to take on the task - called the Hell-o-copter Trial. He is the only celebrity not to have been picked by the viewing public.

Bookies are already naming him odds-on favourite to win the ITV show after the first eviction of Nancy Sorrell, 30, wife of Vic Reeves.

Pasquale, 33, has stayed largely in the background but has won over fans with his self-deprecating sense of humour.

The comedy highlight so far has been the vision of an unsuspecting Pasquale plummeting-into a trap, and bonding-Hinge and Bracket-style, with former royal butler Paul Burrell.

Insiders say he is likely to attract more support when he is thrown into the limelight in tonight's broadcast of his challenge.

Pasquale, who is afraid of flying, looks likely to be suspended on a 100metre ladder from a helicopter above water to collect stars and win meals.

"It's the most expensive and elaborate bush tucker trial ever," said a source.

Before entering the jungle, father of five Pasquale revealed he had been encouraged to go by friends and family in a bid to face his fears - including flying.

Elsewhere in the jungle, boredom appears to be setting in for the celebrities.

They spent the day in near silence, staring into space and intermittently napping. Sophie Anderton only rose from her bunk once to take part in the daily treasure hunt and pluck her eyebrows. She said: "The boredom is just unbelievable."

It was left to lovelorn Reeves - who told Nancy "I don't want to be here without you" - to provide entertainment by fashioning a camp flag bearing a skull and crossbones.

He also attempted to whittle a log into the shape of a lizard's head. Janet Street-Porter plastered herself with fake jewellery made of toothpaste.