The cheeky chappy addressed the elephant in the room – Ant's absence straight away, telling viewers: "There's a big change to this year's show, one of the most gorgeous presenters on British television has been joined by Holly Willoughby."
He had Holly and the crew in stitches with the joke, and it will no doubt have put a smile on Ant's face back in Blighty.
After the first ad break, Dec joked that he'd never "done it with a girl before", and usually "did it with another man", which "people seemed to like watching".
Holly smiled and told him to get on with the show.
The This Morning star then delivered her first hit, when she poked fun at Dec's size.
Having a go at her own catchphrase, she said: "He's loads of fun and he's five foot one."
Dec, who last year was ribbed mercilessly by Ant over his height, approved, failing to realise he was the butt of the joke.
Fans were impressed with the comedy opening, writing on Twitter: "Loool ‘He’s loads of fun and he’s 5ft1’ Another year and we’re still out here joking about Dec’s height. #ImACeleb.
"Anyone else just Google Dec’s height to see if he’s actually 5ft 1 ??.
"That was actually pretty clever Opening! Holly Shouted I’m a celeb get me out of here with Dec on the bridge, Dec is Blood Good tho isn’t he!! They addressed any ‘Issues’ I’d say! Good start #ImACeleb.
"Loving the new series of I'm a celeb get me out….. Dec the halls with boughs of holly Christmas here we come.
"Yes I'm A Celeb. Yes Dec. Yes Holly! ??? #ImACeleb.
"deffo could not think of anyone better to do I’m a celeb with Dec ! luv u Holly❤️? ? ??."
Holly, who is stepping in for Ant as he takes his extended break from showbiz, looked great in a black minidress and boots as she opened the show with Dec on the famous aerial walkways.
Earlier today she revealed the first look at the I'm A Celebrity camp ahead of the launch show.
She shared the behind-the-scenes snaps with Dec.
Dec, 43, also posted the pictures online and told his followers: "Showing the new girl around camp!
"Not hanging around though, got some new camp mates ready to move in."
Holly beamed for the camera as she posed with the Geordie star by the camp fire.
The 37-year-old wrote next to her pictures: "Welcome to the jungle!
"Had a little tour around camp… mind blown! Need to get a wriggle on we’ve got new camp mates to move in!"
Holly is standing in for Ant McPartlin on this year’s series after he took an extended break from the spotlight.
But while she jumped at the chance to work on the show with Dec, Holly hasn’t been having the best time with some of the critters.
Yesterday she narrowly avoided two deadly snakes on her first day filming in the jungle.
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And jungle medic Bob told The Sun that the mum-of-three is "more terrified of jungle critters than all the stars".
He explained: "All I have to do is talk to her and look at the floor and she goes: 'What’s on the floor?'
"'What are you looking at the floor for?' When they do the trials I think they need a camera just on Holly because she’ll be squirming."
Bushtucker Trials chief Matt Wilkinson also said that he saw Holly jump out of her skin when she saw a leaf on her leg.
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