With a few months to go until its expected air date, speculation is rife about this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here line-up.
The likes of Phillip Schofield, Tommy Fury, and Love Island’s Zara McDermott are already rumoured to be joining, and now another Strictly star and Coleen Rooney are on the list.
Last year’s series of the ITV reality competition saw Sam Thompson, Fred Sirieix, Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage enter the Australian jungle.
Made in Chelsea star Sam, 31, emerged as the King of the Jungle, putting to bed the 23rd series of the show, which has been on air since December 2023.
With the next series airing in November 2024, this year’s batch of celebrities will be in talks with ITV, signing the dotted line, and packing their bags for the jungle.
Potential contestants include the usual range of reality TV stars, soap actors and politicians. Well, following July 4’s complete Tory wipeout, there’ll be a lot of out-of-work MPs looking to make a quick buck and save face.
Here’s Metro.co.uk’s run-down of potential I’m A Celebrity 2024 campmates.
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles, 62, was a contestant on the 2017 season of Strictly Come Dancing, in which he was paired with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, however, he became the second contestant to be eliminated.
Seven years later, it’s said he could be ready to give reality TV another go.
‘As always, the jungle bosses have cleverly put together a sensational line-up guaranteed to make for compulsive viewing,’ a source told The Sun.
‘Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth.’
Dean McCullough
Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough is also said to be part of the rumoured line-up.
A source told The Sun: ‘Meanwhile, Dean isn’t known for being a shrinking violet and is sure to be outspoken — plus he’s one of the youngest men lined up for the show so far.’
The Northern Irish BBC radio presenter has previously filled in for Clara Amfo and Jordan North, and took over Scott Mills and Chris Stark’s afternoon show with Vicky Hawkesworth in 2022.
Coleen Rooney
Coleen Rooney is said to be the biggest deal in I’m A Celebrity history, and is heading into the jungle after becoming embroiled in the infamous Wagatha Christie drama with fellow WAG Rebekah Vardy.
‘I’m A Celeb bosses have pulled off a huge coup getting Coleen for the jungle this year and the team are thrilled to have her on board,’ a source said.
‘She’s always been a massive fan of the show and loves watching it with her boys. ITV are over the moon that the stars have aligned this year and she can fit it in. The series is set to be one of the best yet,’ an ITV source continued to The Sun.
‘Coleen has a huge fanbase and she won massive plaudits for her classy handling of the Wagatha Christie case. She’s excited to show fans a different side to her and prove she can survive without her creature comforts,’ they added.
The 38-year-old is no stranger to cameras, having fronted The Real Wagatha Story last year.
Tulisa
N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos is reportedly launching her showbiz comeback on I’m A Celebrity.
The former X Factor judge, 36, has left ITV bosses extremely ‘excited’ about the potential signing.
‘Tulisa has been on ITV’s hit list for a while but until now she’s never wanted to consider it,’ a source told The Sun.
‘This year is a decade since she left The X Factor so she felt the time was right to return to the TV spotlight — the amazing reception to the N-Dubz reunion tour really helped build her confidence.’
They claimed that the ‘breadth’ of Tulisa’s career could mean that she’ll appeal to the ‘wide audience’ who tune in to watch the jungle competition.
‘As well as everyone knowing her from The X Factor, her original music fanbase has boomed thanks to the N-Dubz reunion tour,’ the insider went on.
‘TV bosses are particularly excited by the new wealth of fans in the crucial 16 to 24 age range who have discovered Tulisa and the band through TikTok and everyone hopes the deal is signed soon.’
Tommy Fury
Following the news that Love Island stars Tommy and Molly-Mae have split, the boxer is tipped for an appearance on another ITV programme.
According to the latest odds from Ladbrokes, Tommy is at odds of 4/1 to appear on the next series, with Alex Apati of Ladbrokes saying: ‘Reality TV chiefs will surely be queuing up to snap up Molly-Mae or Tommy following their shock split, and the odds suggest the latter could well be jungle bound later this year.’
Announcing his split from Molly-Mae, Tommy said: ‘I am heartbroken to share that Molly and I have decided to end our relationship.
‘The past five years have led to us having our beautiful baby girl, Bambi and I will be forever thankful to Molly for making me a dad. Bambi is our priority.
‘Please respect our privacy, and our families’ privacy, as we navigate our way through this difficult time.’
Zara McDermott
She’s rumoured to have split with long-term partner Sam Thompson, who won last year’s I’m A Celebrity – but could she appear in the jungle herself?
Made In Chelsea star and former Strictly contestant Zara McDermott, 27, has previously addressed the possibility of taking to the jungle, saying: ‘Who knows, you never know what’s going to happen,’ she said during an interview on Radio 2.
‘I don’t know if I could follow his crowning. How could I ever follow that?’ she admitted, talking about Sam’s win.
Helen Worth
Coronation Street icon Helen Worth, 73, is going to have a lot of time on her hands soon, with her exit as Gail Platt imminent.
After five decades as a Weatherfield resident, bookmakers have been calculating the odds of Helen’s next move – suggesting that a stint on either Strictly or I’m a Celeb is in the actress’s future.
The Sun has reported that the odds of her jetting off to Australia are at 10/1, with Strictly and Celebrity Big Brother also being considered.
Richard Gadd
Baby Reindeer creator and star Richard Gadd, 35, has been tipped to make the move into reality TV, with OLBH reporting odds of 6/1 of an appearance on this year’s I’m A Celebrity or Strictly.
However, an expert has warned against Richard taking to the jungle, saying: ‘Gadd and Netflix are now mired in legal red tape over Baby Reindeer and its depiction of being a true story.
‘I’m a Celebrity always involves controversial, off-the-cuff remarks and no matter how much he tries, Gadd won’t be able to dodge questions from his celebrity jungle-mates,’ Andy Barr, co-founder and head of digital PR agency 10 Yetis told Metro.co.uk.
Giovanni Pernice
Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice, 33, has had a tough year since the controversy of 2023’s Strictly. Crashing out of the competition following partner Amanda Abbington’s decision to pull out, he suddenly found himself facing a PR storm amid claims of a Strictly feud and accusations of bullying.
If reports are to be believed, ITV are determined to score Giovanni for this year’s I’m A Celeb.
A source told The Sun: ‘Giovanni would be prefect for the jungle. ITV bosses have wanted him for years and now he is finally free. Everyone is really eager to get him on board – he really would be ideal for those jungle showers.’
Phillip Schofield
Rumours have been spiralling that the disgraced This Morning presenter, 62, is planning to continue his TV comeback.
Suggestions that Phillip Schofield could appear in this year’s I’m A Celebrity emerged as he was seen laughing and joking while out for dinner with host Dec Donnelly earlier this year.
A source told OK! of Phillip’s potential plans, saying: ‘Phillip is not the same since being away from TV. It’s what he’s done all his life and all he’s ever wanted to do. There is talk that Ant and Dec are keen to get him on I’m A Celeb.’
However, he firmly shut down the rumours on Cast Away, saying he wouldn’t work for ITV again.
‘There are some channels you won’t work for, there are some people you just won’t work for,’ he said.
The entire Tory cabinet
This election night’s bloodbath saw 11 former cabinet members lose their seats, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, former Prime Minister Liz Truss and future leadership contender Penny Mordaunt.
Given the success of both Nigel Farage and Matt Hancock on the show – not to mention the attention-grabbing headlines it scored for ITV – many now-displaced politicians may be making a beeline for the jungle.
Among these names is Suella Braverman, who somehow managed to keep her seat, but was already rumoured to be eyeing a move to Australia as early as March this year. Makes a change from looking up flights to Rwanda, at least.
Alex Beresford
Good Morning Britain weatherman Alex Beresford was a rumoured name for last year’s jungle line up, before appearing on the BBC’s Celebrity Race Across the World instead.
However, he has expressed an interest in heading into camp, telling The Mirror: ‘Out of all the shows I would love to do, I would love to do the jungle.’
Will Alex get his wish this year?
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This story was originally published on July 7, 2024.
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