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This year’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! is set to kick off soon, bringing excitement as fans anticipate the arrival of this season’s celebrity contenders.
Launching on 17 November, the new series promises a thrilling lineup of 10 celebrities who will tackle challenging and sometimes gruesome tasks in the heart of the jungle, all vying for the prestigious title of King or Queen of the Jungle.
Among the anticipated participants are famed TV personality Coleen Rooney, talented Strictly star Oti Mabuse, and McFly frontman Danny Jones.
These celebrities are eager to emulate the success of recent winner Sam Thompson, a well-known presenter and former star of Made In Chelsea, who took home the crown in December 2023.
Find the full star-studded lineup below…
Oti Mabuse
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Oti Mabuse (ITV)
Oti Mabuse, who rose to fame as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing for six years, has expressed her genuine fears about facing snakes in the jungle, declaring herself “absolutely terrified” ahead of her inaugural participation in I’m a Celebrity.
The talented dancer, who has claimed victory on Strictly twice with celebrity partners Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey, currently showcases her expertise as a judge on Dancing on Ice. In reflecting on her expected role in the camp, Oti wishes to adopt the persona of a “fun dancing mum” and hopes to impart some dance knowledge to her fellow contestants.
Driven by the desire to reconnect with her more adventurous and lively spirit post-pregnancy, Oti excitedly noted, “Now I have had my baby daughter, I want to get back to the adventurous and fun Oti. I feel ready for a change and doing something completely different. I will have no make-up, concealer, lashes – it’s going to be nice to be laid back.”
She humorously added, “As a new mum, I am going to use it to my advantage. I am going to catch up on a whole year’s sleep!”
Alan Halsall
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Alan Halsall (ITV)
Coronation Street star Alan Halsall, known for portraying Tyrone Dobbs for an impressive 26 years, has light-heartedly remarked that his participation in I’m a Celebrity could be termed the “worst kept secret” after undergoing major knee surgery last year which forced him to withdraw from the show.
“It feels like the worst kept secret ever! It was a bit of a shock when I got the knee injury last year,” he reflected as he looks forward to his jungle experience.
Halsall noted that his typical home diet primarily consists of “bland food,” making the prospect of small camp portions less daunting for him. However, he admits leaving his daughter, Sienna, behind may prove to be an emotional challenge. “I am very emotional about Sienna, so it will be interesting to see how I cope. I tend to try to hide my emotions but with Sienna I’m not very good at all – I think I will have several blubs. She is 11, and so I’m hoping I won’t embarrass her.”
Jane Moore
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Jane Moore (ITV)
Loose Women star and journalist Jane Moore is ready to join the line-up, following in the footsteps of previous panellists like Janet Street-Porter and Frankie Bridge. First appearing on the popular ITV panel show in 1999, Moore believes her role in the camp will be to provide comfort and support, acting as a “shoulder to cry on.”
“I have been on this planet a long time and I will be the person who will try to help them out,” she stated. Encouraged by her two daughters, particularly her youngest who believes she will thrive in the jungle, Jane expressed confidence in her maternal instincts. “If there is someone young in there struggling, I know it will appeal to my maternal side.”
Convincing herself she’s an “organised person,” she also mentioned her analytical approach to the Bushtucker Trials, humorously adding, “I like to think of myself as a gutsy person but this remains to be seen. I’m sure a lot of people think that before they face those Trials and then courage goes out the window!”
Dean McCullough
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Dean McCullough (ITV)
Northern Irish BBC Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough candidly revealed he is “terrified of everything” in anticipation of his jungle adventure.
Making his debut on the station in 2020, McCullough took over hosting duties of Radio 1’s afternoon show alongside Vicky Hawkesworth in September 2022. He confessed, “I am terrified of everything, and the more I think about being put in the ground with 50 snakes or getting those green fly things that bite poured over me – well there’s just no point thinking about it, as otherwise I won’t get on the plane!”
Sharing a past experience, he recalled, “I once spotted a cockroach in a hostel I was staying in, and I immediately checked out.” However, he asserts, “I will give everything a go. I want to try and get some stars for everyone. I have travelled the world, backpacked, taught in orphanages, and gone through the mill several times. But I am 32 now, and it’s time to start a new chapter and learn a bit more about who I am. A three-week therapy session is the perfect way to describe this.”
Tulisa Contostavlos
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Tulisa (ITV)
N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos has openly admitted that she previously avoided joining the show due to her overwhelming fears. However, she is now ready to confront these anxieties head-on.
“I’m a big softie and I’m an emotional person,” she shared. “I will probably struggle in the first few days as doing something like this is a big deal for me. I haven’t been thrust this much into the spotlight in a while and I have avoided it out of irrational fear. Walking into the jungle will likely be one of the most emotional experiences for me.”
Identifying herself as the “mummy of N-Dubz,” Tulisa hopes to reveal her “true authentic self” and genuinely connect with viewers. “My number one mission is to be my true authentic self,” she asserted. “If being my authentic self resonates with people, then it must mean I’m doing something right in life. But I am not going to go looking for it. This isn’t a career move for me either. I will always go back to N-Dubz as this is a one-off experience.”
Melvin Odoom
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Melvin Odoom (ITV)
Radio 1 DJ and presenter Melvin Odoom has expressed his motivation to enter the jungle, citing the influence of friends who have previously appeared on the show, notably Marvin Humes, who participated last year.
“Marvin has given me some advice on what to expect in camp,” he divulged. Acknowledging that many friends like Joel Dommett and Roman Kemp have taken part, Melvin admits he is anxious about the limited food options available, noting that he tends to become quite moody when he hasn’t eaten enough. “I am Moody Melvin! It’s very rare, but I will try my best to do all the Trials,” he declared.
Despite his fears, Melvin’s significant worry is his notorious snoring. “Snoring is my biggest fear. I have been trying to train myself, as messing with people’s sleep is a big deal. I might be the camp’s enemy if my snoring comes out. It’s loud!”
Coleen Rooney
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Coleen Rooney (ITV)
The renowned TV personality and wife of former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is rumored to have secured the largest deal in the history of the show, surpassing previous contestants like Farage and presenter Noel Edmonds with a jaw-dropping fee exceeding £1.5 million.
Before stepping into the jungle, Rooney, who recently triumphed in the high-profile “Wagatha Christie” libel case, shared that she has no phobias and is fully prepared to face the challenge ahead. “What will I miss the most? Aside from my family and friends, my phone and a pen and notepad. I love jotting things down,” she revealed.
Reflecting on her decision to participate now, Rooney indicated it was a perfect convergence of timing and her children’s age, stating, “It has been year after year I have been asked to go on a program and it’s always been a straight no. Over the years, there have been different things going on in my life, and my children were really young. But they are at an age now where I can go away.” She added, “It has taken many, many years, but I’m finally doing it.”
Looking forward to the experience, she remarked, “Of course, it would be lovely to win. But if I don’t, then I will get to see the kids! Whatever I do in life, I like to put my all into it, and so if I go in there, it would be nice to stay until the end.”
Barry McGuigan
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Barry McGuigan (ITV)
Former boxing champion Barry McGuigan expressed that he envisions himself taking on a mediator role within the camp.
“I acted as a referee and appeaser in Hell’s Kitchen. But this is different. A whole different set of circumstances. It’ll be a challenge,” he explained. “I would imagine I’ll be one of the elders, and you can look at that in a calming down way.”
He added, “I’m the consoler when the guys have a hard day in the gym and they haven’t sparred particularly well. I put my arm around their shoulder and say, ‘Listen, that’s just the way it is. Tomorrow will be different.”
Noting a humorous flaw, McGuigan admitted he can’t cook, attributing all culinary responsibilities to his wife. “I still can’t cook! My fabulous wife does all of that for me. I’d be willing to help out. If nobody else can do it, I’d be happy to chip in. But I’m pretty good at cleaning,” he offered. “My wife and my three sons and my seven grandchildren come around, I end up doing the cleaning up. We’ve got a good old bit of team work going.”
GK Barry
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GK Barry (ITV)
Loose Women star and digital content creator GK Barry, whose real name is Grace Keeling, admitted she feels “terrified of everything” as she prepares for her entrance into I’m a Celebrity.
“I haven’t slept in a month. I am scared of the Trials and genuinely frightened of everything. The eating trial to me is the worst thing you can do to a human being. You also don’t know who you are going to click with either, but hopefully after the first week, I will settle in nicely,” she explained.
Sharing her heartfelt sentiments, she mentioned, “I will miss my girlfriend and cat the most while being in the jungle. When you are missing home and all you want is your comfort people, then that will be hard if they are not there.” However, her girlfriend remains supportive and enthusiastic about her journey, saying she thinks GK will excel in the experience. In a lighthearted moment, Barry quipped, “I have got her a cardboard cut out of me so it’s not weird when I am away!”
Danny Jones
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Danny Jones (ITV)
McFly singer Danny Jones is poised to follow in the footsteps of his bandmate Dougie Poynter, who clinched victory in 2011. Currently serving as a judge on ITV’s singing competition The Voice, Danny is eager to step into the unknown and push himself beyond his comfort zone to unlock new insights about himself.
Determined to prepare for the camp experience, he shared that he has significantly reduced his coffee intake and is consciously eating less to manage his appetite. When questioned about his bandmates’ potential reaction if he doesn’t emerge victorious, Danny remained optimistic, stating, “They are competitive, the boys. But I don’t think so…I don’t want to think about winning; it’s too much pressure.”
S Grace Keeling, is set to bring her unique personality to the jungle. Known for her humorous take on life and social media presence, she has expressed a desire to be authentic and relatable during her time in camp. “I want to show the real me and not just the online persona,” she emphasized.
While GK Barry is excited about the adventure, she admitted to feeling nervous about the physical challenges ahead. “I’m not the most outdoorsy person,” she confessed. However, her vibrant spirit and determination to entertain and connect with viewers will surely shine through. “If I can make people laugh, then I’ve done my job,” she added.
As the contestants gear up for their jungle adventure, it’s clear that each has their unique perspective and approach to the challenges ahead. From emotional struggles to optimistic outlooks, the group promises to bring a diverse dynamic to the reality show, as they navigate the trials of life in the camp together.
