Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NAD: The worst thing that could happen in the jungle is DEATH
Girls Aloud star hopes to beat her fears in Oz
GIRLS Aloud singer Nadine Coyle insists she could die while competing on I’m A Celebrity.
A promo video of the 34-year-old on social media has gone viral as it shows her being interviewed and insisting: “The worst thing that can happen in the jungle... is death.”
The Derry girl’s comment has caused amusement among fans, with many doubting her as ITV have medics on standby for every eventuality in camp, including poisonous snake bites.
But asked about her comment as she landed in Brisbane airport, Nadine insisted: “That is absolutely the truth, it happens all the time, not in jungles, but it is dangerous in there.”
Nadine also told how her daughter Anaiya will watch her on the show and was her inspiration for taking part.
She said: “They have been asking for years and years, maybe three or four years. And then I just thought I would do it. My daughter is now five and I just think it would be a good thing to go and do and she will go, ‘She’s so brave’.
“She trusts I have everything under control but she is wrong! This is so outside of my comfort zone.”
Speaking on Monday, Nadine has also said since having a child she had become a more stressed and nervous person, with even the flight to Australia being a tough thing to conquer. She explained: “I really want to try something completely new. I am scared of so many things. I used to be brave. Now I have got so fearful even being in the car, flying or general things. I think it is since I became a parent that I am much more afraid.
“I really hope that by doing this, it pushes me so far out the comfort zone and that I learn to be comfortable, feel relaxed and do the things that I didn’t used to be afraid of.”
Despite Nadine’s reservations she is being tipped to win viewers’ hearts and be crowned jungle queen. Ladbrokes have reported support for the singer winning is rising across shops in Ireland ahead of Sunday’s opening show.
Nicola Mcgeady of Ladbrokes told Daily Mirror: “Nadine Coyle is mid table when it comes to the jungle betting but fans reckon she is a dark horse after she showed her down-to-earth nature on Living With Lucy.”
Football pundit and Arsenal great Ian Wright is the early favourite at 9/4, ahead of radio DJ Roman Kemp at 9/2 and former rugby player James Haskell at 6/1 – with Nadine currently at 12/1.
Dublin comedian Andrew Maxwell is also taking part in the series as well as reality star Caitlyn Jenner.
The 10-strong line-up for this year’s I’m A Celebrity also includes former Eastender Jacqueline Jossa, Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway and X Factor winner Myles Stephenson.
Former Big Brother contestant and Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts completes the line-up.