A cold castle with a bunch of strangers? Mo problem for star
Sir Mo Farah hopes to prove his kids wrong on I’m A Celeb. The Olympic champion’s family have teased him ever since he signed up for the show, which represents a very different kind of challenge away from the win-at-all-costs world of athletics.
Dad-of-four Mo said:“i’ve watched it on telly and thought to myself I would like to challenge myself and see what I can do – and so that is the whole reason behind it.
“A lot of people will be surprised as they don’t see me in that way. They associate me with running and winning but nothing other than that. And my kids have been on at me too, saying ‘I can’t see you doing that dad’, but I want to give it a go, I want to have fun in the camp.”
The new series, hosted by Ant and Dec, will take place at Gwrych Castle in Wales rather than the Australian jungle, due to coronavirus restrictions.
Sir Mo, who won double gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, added:“it’s so out of my comfort zone, but I just want to go in there and be myself. I am most looking forward to meeting different people, getting challenges thrown at you and working as a team.”
Broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire and actor Shane Richie are among the other famous faces taking part. Mum-of-two Victoria, 52, said beating breast cancer inspired her to give the show a go. She said: “This is a mad thrill adventure that I want to take part in. Because of cancer I know, more than lots of people, life is short. I am now saying ‘yes’ to stuff I wouldn’t have done previously.
“And if I don’t do my boys proud, I will never live it down. They really, really want me to do it and they have kept it a secret for months now because they want me to do it so much. They do think it is cool I am doing it because this is their programme of the year.”
Soap star Shane, 56, best known for playing Alfie Moon in Eastenders, said taking part in the ITV show reminded him of the risk he took when he joined the soap. He said:“there is something about adrenaline and fear and that’s what I am looking forward to.”
Also confirmed are former Strictly dancer AJ Pritchard, TV presenter Vernon Kay and Paralympian Hollie Arnold, as well as DJ Jordan North, Coronation Street star Beverley Callard, podcast host Giovanna Fletcher and Eastenders actress Jessica Plummer.
AJ, 26, said:“doing I’m A Celebrity is a childhood dream come true, I was so excited to watch the return of Strictly this autumn but now I am going to be on an even better show. I can’t wait.”
I’m A Celebrity…get Me Out Of Here!, ITV, today, 9pm