Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. George Clooney and Julia Roberts. These are just two of Hollywood’s greatest celebrity friendships. But here on home soil, the bond doesn’t get much better than the one between I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! co-hosts Julia Morris and Dr Chris Brown.
However, in true Julia style, the popular comedian prefers to liken the pair to George and Amal Clooney.
“I mean, it couldn’t be more obvious – I’m almost a clone of Amal,” the 49-year-old tells TV WEEK with her trademark drollery.
The duo are preparing to head to South Africa for season four of the game show. It sees a group of Aussie A-listers and international contestants dumped in the middle of nowhere, with few creature comforts.
“When I found out Dr Chris was going to be the co-host, I went after it [the role] like a maniac,” mum-of-two Julia admits.
“And, four years later, the feeling was clearly mutual.” At this, Chris, 39, nods his head in, ah, possible agreement.
“We have a funny connection,” Chris, confirms with a cheeky grin.
It takes two to tango – or is that a rhumba in the jungle?
Julia adds: “There’s no way I’d do this without him. If he wasn’t going to do the show anymore, I’m not sure if I’d be interested.
“That magic [that we share] would go. Anything else is going to suffer by comparison, no matter who that [new] person is.”
“We’re incredibly different people,” Chris, the former star of Bondi Vet explains. “But if you spend enough time with us, you realise we live in parallel, in a way, and have a very similar sense of humour.”
Chris and Julia are looking forward to spending another seven weeks together this season when filming gets underway.
“You can’t help but get to know somebody incredibly well when you spend that much time together,” Chris points out.
So what’s the secret to their rock-solid friendship? It’s over to Julia to explain.
“As an acquired taste – which I know I am – if there are days where I feel Chris hasn’t had enough sleep or is trying to work out his lines, I try to be mindful and turn down my fullness,” she says.
The pair know they can lean on each other in tough times.
“It’s like any successful relationship – you have to read them and know when to give them space, and know when to move in and pounce like a puma.”
Supporting one another is also key, especially when it comes to their personal lives. Chris is currently dating Nine Network producer Kendall Bora, while Julia and husband Dan Thomas are parents to Ruby, 11, and Sophie, nine.
“Chris and I also have big lives outside the show,” Julia says. “So knowing how to support [each other] and when to support is a big thing.”
She adds that they keep in touch regularly via text messages.
“I know Chris has my back and I have his – and in television, that’s really not as common as it sounds,” she explains.
