I’m an oldie…get me in there!
Arlene, 78, and Richard, 65, lead showbiz veterans into Welsh castle
THERE are the A-list TV veterans – faces we’ve known for decades – and then the youngsters hoping to reach the same giddy heights of stardom.
Bringing along a little maturity – hopefully – to this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will be Richard Madeley, 65, Louise Minchin, 53, and, at 78, the programme’s oldest ever contestant Dame Arlene Phillips.
Former Strictly judge Dame Arlene said: ‘I am always the oldest, and so I am used to it.’
And sharing their trials and tribulations will be a line-up of rather less familiar faces, including 23year-old Olympic gold medallist Matty Lee and pop star and presenter Frankie Bridge, 32.
Soap stars and singers will also be donning the red gilet and heading to Gwrych Castle, near Abergele, North Wales, for the show – hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly – which has been forced to relocate from the Australian jungle for a second year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It has been reported that EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt and Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson will be this year’s late arrivals.
1. Naughty Boy, 36
The record producer and musician, whose real name is Shahid Khan, has collaborated with the likes of Emeli Sandé, Leona Lewis and Tinie Tempah. By appearing on I’m a Celebrity, he said he wants people ‘to know the real me’ and he plans to use his time in the castle ‘to raise more awareness’ about dementia, which his mother suffers from.
2. Danny Miller, 30
The Emmerdale actor, who plays Aaron Dingle in the long-running ITV soap opera, made his television debut in Grange Hill. He has also starred in Jamaica Inn and Scott & Bailey. Miller said he will miss his fiancee Steph Jones and one-month-old baby and would be the camp’s peacemaker.
3. Arlene Phillips, 78
A celebrated choreographer, she first became a household name as founder of Hot Gossip, a TV dance group known for their risque costumes. She has directed West End and Broadway musicals and was an inaugural judge on Strictly Come Dancing. Dame Arlene said her family is split on how they feel about her appearing on the show.
4. David Ginola, 54
The former professional footballer played for Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Newcastle United in 1995. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Everton before retiring in 2002. Ginola is looking forward to catching up with Newcastle United fans Ant and Dec as well as trying his hand as camp chef.
5. Louise Minchin, 53
The former BBC Breakfast host, who fronted the show from 2012 to September this year, is also a keen triathlete, competing for Great Britain in 2015. The motherof-two said: ‘My family are very worried I will scream a lot and make a terrible fuss.’
6. Snoochie Shy, 29
The DJ, whose real name is Cheyenne Davide, is a host on BBC Radio 1Xtra. She has worked as a model and made her film debut in 2019 thriller In2ruders. Miss Davide is a self-confessed ‘scaredy cat’ who can’t wait to teach her campmates how to ‘twerk’.
7. Richard Madeley, 65
A veteran journalist, he helped to launch ITV favourite This Morning in 1988 with wife Judy Finnigan, hosting the show until 2001. This month he accepted a permanent job on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
He said: ‘The thing about I’m A Celebrity is you mustn’t go into it if you take yourself remotely seriously. I don’t, and I am thoroughly looking forward to being covered in God knows what!’
8. Frankie Bridge, 32
A singer-songwriter, who started out as a member of S Club 8, she found fame in girl group The Saturdays. She is married to former England footballer Wayne Bridge and has two sons. The popstar said the eating challenges are going to be toughest for her as she even has a phobia of ketchup.
9. Kadeena Cox, 30
The gold medal-winning athlete and cyclist, who has multiple sclerosis, competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympics and this year’s Tokyo Paralympics. Miss Cox has cut out sugar in preparation and said she wants to show people with all disabilities that they can try different things in life.
10. Matty Lee, 23
The British diver won gold this summer at the Tokyo Olympics with Tom Daley in the men’s 10m synchronised platform event. Lee said he is excited the public will get a chance to get to know him properly and that he can’t wait to meet Ant and Dec.
I’m A Celebrity starts on Sunday on ITV at 9pm.