I’m a celebrity (honest) … get me into the jungle!
YES, it’s that time of year again. The who’s who – or in many cases who’s that? – of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! contestants has been revealed.
Joining the usual array of soap stars and singers in the Australian jungle will be football manager Harry Redknapp and DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles.
They are among ten names signed up by ITV, which also include The Inbetweeners’ Emily Atack and ex-Doctor Who actor John Barrowman – who hopes to break new ground if crowned winner.
The 51-year-old wants to keep his title gender fluid, explaining: ‘I would be the king or queen of the jungle.’
And while most worry about the time apart from their families and surviving on measly
‘Not desperate for money’
rations while battling creepy crawlies, former Tottenham Hotspur boss Redknapp appears more concerned about having to cancel ‘quite a few after-dinner speeches’.
Keen to make clear he is taking part out of choice rather than financial necessity, the 71-year-old – once tipped as an England manager – said: ‘I could be busy every day if I wanted. I am not desperate for work or money.’
Confident he will go far in the competition, he added ‘there’s nothing tougher’ than being a football manager. But Redknapp admitted being apart from his wife of 54 years, Sandra, will be the biggest challenge.
He will be joined by ITV’s The Chase presenter Miss Hegerty, 60, who said she doesn’t want her peers to feel sorry for her due to her Asperger’s syndrome. Others tackling Bushtucker Trials will include Coronation Street’s Sair Khan, 30, and singer James McVey, 25, of boy band The Vamps.
Former EastEnders actress Rita Simons, 41, Hollyoaks’s Malique Thompson-Dwyer, 20, and 2014 X Factor star Fleur East, 31, are also taking part.
One to watch out for on the romance front is Miss Atack, 28, who was recently linked to Strictly Come Dancing ‘cha-cha cheat’ Seann Walsh.
The actress, who has appeared in scantily clad magazine photoshoots and is best known as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in TV comedy The Inbetweeners, said she is open to finding love during her time in the jungle.
However, Knowles, 56, has ruled out any chance of romance, despite splitting with his girlfriend Rebecca Kearns in September. The 18th series, which starts on Sunday and lasts three weeks, will be presented by Holly Willoughby and Declan Donnelly, while Ant McPartlin continues his break from TV.