Shirtless Joel Mawhinney frolics in ocean in Australia

## PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: He shore looks good! Shirtless Joel Mawhinney, 23, is seen letting off some steam as he frolics in the ocean ahead of anticipated I'm A Celebrity return

He kept his 23rd birthday over the weekend low-key and reportedly headed to bed at 5pm due to his TV work commitments.

But for Joel Mawhinney it was time to cut loose as he went shirtless to frolic in the ocean close to his Australian hotel on Sunday morning.

The magician favourite, who is set to return to ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! on Sunday night, was seen cutting a relaxed figure as he was joined by his presenting partner Richie Driss and his wife Cat Sandion.

With his attention soon diverted to the jungle Down Under for the upcoming seventeenth series of I'm A Celebrity, Joel made the most of his downtime.

He looked to be in a great mood as he stripped down to his blue swimtrunks and headed into the ocean.

Indulging in Australia's emerging summer season, the British native happily left the bitter weather back in the UK as he braved the choppy waves.

Delving deeper and deeper into the water, Joel seemed to get an adrenaline rush as he was swept away by the ripple of glistening waters.

Clearly having the time of his life, he was seen trying to combat the waves in an attempt to stand on his feet again.

Meanwhile, his best friend Richie, who has been with him through thick and thin, decided to forego a shirtless dip in the ocean as he watched on from the shore.

Despite not hitting the water, Richie also embraced the warmer climes in a plaid button down shirt and knee length shorts.

He looked like he was having a great time as he cut a casual figure by holding his flip flops in his hands.

The nation's favourite presenting duo were joined by Richie's wife Cat, who showcased her leggy frame in a flowing white blouse and denim shorts.

Joel celebrated his 23rd birthday over the weekend, but he kept his celebrations low-key, thanks to his TV endeavours.

An insider told MailOnline: 'They are in bed by 5pm, so there's no partying. They have to be up at 2am for work. A little golf in the afternoon is sometimes on the cards but they mostly chill in their apartment and by the pool...

'It's Joel's birthday but he is going to be working. It's the first day for the celebs; they meet each other for the first time in the morning.'

Sunday night will mark his return to television for the first time since taking himself off to rehab to battle his drink and drug addiction.

Joel has had a tough year following his treatment but he is said to have found a shoulder to lean on in the form of Helen Skelton.

The new host of spin-off show I'm A Celeb... Extra Camp has reportedly been a 'great support' for the embattled TV presenter.

Helen, 37, is said to have struck up a firm friendship with Joel, 23, with the seasoned presenter also helping her out with her career.

A source told The Mirror: 'Joel called Helen as soon as he was out of rehab to catch up.

'He, along with Richie, really want to support her career and think she’ll be a big star. They have been talking non-stop. They’ve struck up a great friendship.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Joel and Helen for comment.

In June, Joel confirmed he planned to battle his demons - after admitting he had spiralled into depression and substance abuse following a painful knee injury and fertility issues.

Joel revealed his plans to check in to rehab for alcohol and drug addiction, when he gave a candid interview to The Sun admitting he had 'let people down', before thanking his wife Katy Ashworth and co-star Richie for the support they had provided.

While he hasn't been joined by wife Katy out in Oz, due to her working commitments on Strictly Come Dancing as a make-up artist, she made sure to hit back at the speculation, breaking her silence on the duo's rumoured 'marriage woes'.

Katy had hit back at the long-running reports that the duo have separated by taking to Twitter, as she penned on the microblogging site: 'I'm not estranged, thank you'.

Her defiant message also touched on her absence in Australia, as she added the hashtags: '#haventbeentoOzfor10years #ihaveajob #allaloadofmadeups\*\*t #imnotestrangedthank-you #asyouwere'.

Whilst Joel hasn't been able to see Katy whilst she works in England, he has been enjoying his time in the outback with Richie, and Helen - who recently described the stars as her 'father figures'.

Speaking on the presenting duo Joel and Richie, she told Daily Star: 'If they have faith in me, I must be doing something half decent... It's like my mum and dad are here.'