It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The return of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! is now the traditional precursor to the festive season, as another bunch of (mainly) celebs – including a pop star, a model, a comedian, a soap actress, a documentary-maker and the inevitable “content creator” – attempt career brand extension/revival/death in the depths of the Australian jungle as presenters Ant and Dec gently take the mickey.
With a line-up that Strictly could only dream of, though not quite as stellar as that of The Celebrity Traitors, they’ll be dunked in tanks of snakes and spiders and gag on unmentionable marsupial extremities in order to win our hearts and the title of this year’s king or queen of the jungle.
Here’s the low-down on who’s who as the 24th series kicks off.
When does I’m a Celebrity… start?
The new series gets under way on ITV1 and ITVX on Monday, November 16 at 9pm.
Who is in the line-up?
Here is the full rundown, plus our critic Jon Peake’s thoughts on who is in the running for jungle glory.
- Wayne Rooney
- Chloe Burrows
- Ricky Wilson
- Joanna Page
- Ade Adepitan
- Sharky
- AJ Odudu
- Jack Skipper
- Leomie Anderson
- Claire Sweeney
- Mariella Frostrup
Wayne Rooney, 41, pundit and former footballer
The former England international star may have bitten off more than he can chew. “Jumping out of a helicopter is my biggest fear, because I’ve been booked to jump out of a plane three times before, and never made it on the plane! I don’t like snakes or what is in the water either – I don’t go in the sea.”
Rooney’s wife Coleen took part a few years ago, so she’s been full of good advice. But it’s a different kettle of fish actually doing the show. Having moved into football management (though he admits he “isn’t great” at that), he’s clearly got a good head on his shoulders and could last the distance. However, he may not be an awful lot of use in the camp: “Well, I can’t cook, but I’m not scared to ask for advice if I have to. I do talk a lot, and I am happy to help where I can. I do like playing pranks! I like to have fun, and I like to think I am actually a fun guy to be around.” Campmates, you have been warned!
Wayne’s chances
Probably the star signing, it’ll be interesting to see a side of the Match of the Day pundit hitherto unseen. But if his planned pranks begin to grate, campmates – and viewers – might turn against him.
Predicted placing: 2nd
Chloe Burrows, 31, DJ and broadcaster
Kiss breakfast show presenter Burrows calls herself a people-pleaser and hates confrontation. Has she actually watched this programme? She also likes to wallow in the bath for hours on end, so the shower might come as a bit of a let-down for the former Love Islander, who has no plans to do a Myleene Klass. “I’m done being in a bikini.” And as for all the endless downtime between challenges, how she’ll cope is anyone’s guess. “I’m not good at boredom. I like to be active and chatty.”
However, her 1.7 million Instagram followers should ensure that she’s in with a fighting chance, and she’s got no qualms about the challenges as long as they don’t involve rats or snakes. “Everyone wants to do a trial, so I wouldn’t be surprised if people voted for me to do one. I think I will be OK with the eating trials and the swimming ones.”
Chloe’s chances
Slim. Unless she does something out of the ordinary or proves herself to be an all-round good egg, she may pass unnoticed. With no hook to hang her on, she could be the first to go.
Predicted placing: 11th
Ricky Wilson, 48, Kaiser Chiefs frontman
It’s hard to believe that Wilson hasn’t been on this show before, seeing as he’s been on everything else. “They wore me down!” says the former The Voice UK coach. “Everyone I know has always said it has been a life-changing and brilliant experience. I am good friends with Tony Blackburn (who won the first series) and he kept telling me I should do it.”
But by his own admission, this ever-chirpy northerner is a different person when he’s not performing, has no time for celebrities or aftershow parties and his patience will wear thin if challenges are not taken seriously by his fellow campmates. “I’m nervous about coming across badly if I’m doing a trial with someone and I think they are not doing it properly. I know I will be frustrated.” He also says he’s “looking forward to the boredom”. We predict a riot.
Ricky’s chances
Always coming across as rather full of himself, he says he’s not really like that in real life. But is this real life? Desperate to be loved – which viewers see through at once.
Predicted placing: 9th
Joanna Page, 49, actor
“People think I’m very talkative, but I don’t go to showbiz parties any more,” says the Gavin and Stacey star. “I’d far rather be at home, doing a jigsaw, having a roast dinner and I will miss my own space – so I think people will be surprised.”
Page says she’s “worried I won’t make any friends in camp – it’s like the first day at a new school or starting a new job”, but envisages herself as the camp cleaner, mum and shoulder to cry on, and describes herself as “positive and optimistic”, all necessary attributes to curry audience favour. “I’m just as excited to see if I can last the distance,” says the mother-of-four, whose own children say they doubt she’ll survive the trials. “I’m not going to crumble, I’m going to be strong. I am going to get the most out of this. I think it would be quite exciting to have the first ever Welsh Queen of the Jungle!”
Joanna’s chances
We loved her as Stacey, but as Joanna, is she too… ordinary? Her comedy credentials might bring the goodwill, and she did win Taskmaster this year, but being camp mum may not be enough to save her. She’ll get the Welsh vote though.
Predicted placing: 6th
Ade Adepitan MBE, Paralympian and broadcaster
The Paralympian thinks people imagine him to be a serious person because of the programmes he makes and is viewing his tenure in the jungle as a myth-buster. “I actually love having a laugh,” he says. “People probably haven’t seen the joker side of me before. I like to entertain; I’m a motivator. It’s about having fun together.”
The camp has been specially adapted for his wheelchair, to enable easy movement, so while that won’t present a problem, he’s dreading the cuisine. “Plain food makes me angry!” But if he strikes the right notes, he could well see himself crowned King of the Jungle. “It would be a real affirmation that society had accepted someone like me.”
Ade’s chances
It’s a first for the show to have a disabled contestant, but that shouldn’t mean he gets special treatment, and that’s not what he would want anyway. Should prove capable, likeable and dependable.
Predicted placing: King of the Jungle
Sharky, 30, content creator
No reality show is complete without an internet sensation these days, as if their presence will magically bring Generation Alpha back to terrestrial TV. Last year’s winner, Angry Ginge, didn’t have youngsters settling down to watch Corrie, but let’s see if gaming YouTuber Sharky (real name: Sharmarke Mohamud) can deliver a reversal of fortune. “I used to watch this show with my mum,” he says. “I’m from the age group where TV was still the main thing in the household. And even though I’ve managed to carve out a good career online, I’d love to see what I could do on TV afterwards.” Maybe there is hope after all.
Surprisingly, he says he is not going to miss being digitally connected to his 12 million-plus YouTube followers. “I’m super aware of how much I’m on my phone, and it’s either in my pocket or my hand. It’s partly for my job but I am excited now to be away from it, and to not have to reply to everything and everyone because they know I can’t!”
Sharky’s chances
Tiresome YouTubers can cut across – as with last year’s winner Angry Ginge – and with 12 million followers, the votes should pour in. But are his fans going to sit down and watch ITV of an evening? May grate on the others.
Predicted placing: 5th
AJ Odudu, 38, TV presenter
A case of poacher turned gamekeeper for gruff-voiced Odudu, as the Big Brother host finds herself a participant in a reality show for a change. “It feels quite weird the tables have turned on me,” she admits. “But we have only one life, and we might as well live it to the fullest. I want to enjoy all the experiences. But it is definitely going to be the scariest TV project I’ve ever taken on.”
And she has a lot to fear. “I’m scared of heights, water, and I don’t like creepy crawlies, rats and reptiles. Literally, the only thing I will be OK with are the eating trials!” Despite her bouncy demeanour, she could also crumble under the pressure and the utter boredom. “People think I am always upbeat and happy. But even I have moments where I fancy crying a little. I’m just a normal person with normal emotions.”
AJ’s chances
Pleasant enough, kooky and kind, but too highly strung to go all the way. She seems like she could cope with anything, but who knows?
Predicted placing: 10th
Jack Skipper, 38, comedian
Don’t rely on the former carpet fitter turned stand-up comic to bring the laughs – or to get embroiled in the drama. And he won’t be playing any silly tricks on people either. “I am not a pranks guy; that is not my comedy,” he stresses. “If I get bored, I might start creating some sort of game. I will have to do something. But I don’t want to get caught up in the drama either. I do hope I can keep everyone’s morale up but when you’re tired and starving, I don’t know how upbeat I will be.”
Maybe he can pass the time as camp chef then. “I don’t mind cooking. If people want me to do it, I will,” he says. “I am not precious, but there again, I’m not sure I want the pressure. Plus, camping is also not my favourite thing. My normal holiday is at an all-inclusive hotel in Malaga!” Good luck with that.
Jack’s chances
Is he one of those comedians who’s always on (i.e. irritating) or is there a Tony Hancock-style dark side lurking beneath? Whatever happens, he’s assured of a future on comedy panel shows for the next year or so. A stalking horse.
Predicted placing: 3rd
Leomie Anderson, 33, supermodel
Victoria’s Secret model Anderson says she’s got no worries about being on top of everyone in the crowded camp. “Confined spaces? I live in a studio in New York, so I’m fine with that! I have slept in uncomfortable surroundings before in my early modelling days, and so I am used to sharing with others.” She hasn’t met them yet.
But she’s also keen to dispel any myths about models being aloof. “People have the assumption that I’m not going to get stuck in. I want to show that people shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. It’s going to be exciting to see a very unpolished version of myself. In my job, I am very glamorous, but in reality, I am more chilled. I’m excited to not wear make-up in camp too.” And for a model, she loves her food, something that’s going to be in short supply unless the celebs win those stars. “I am really concerned about that part,” she admits. “I love to eat good food and I love to eat a lot.”
Leomie’s chances
She says she’s probably game for anything. But does that necessarily get you where you need to go? And will viewers be turned off by assumptions of her model life?
Predicted placing: 8th
Claire Sweeney, 55, soap star
Former Brookside and Coronation Street regular Sweeney mulled over her outfits before jetting off to Oz, but thought twice about packing a bikini. “Twenty years ago, maybe, but as you get older, your body changes. I am fit and strong to do the show though.”
She says she’ll miss her son Jaxon the most, but he’s her harshest critic. “I hope I will make him proud. Mind you, when I talked to him about going on the show, he said: ‘Mummy you are going to fall off the hammock like Gemma Collins!’” Sweeney, who’s taking time out from playing Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie in London’s West End, says she’s just going to have as much fun as possible. “I’m not going into the camp to prove anything. I just want to enjoy the experience. I’ve done loads of presenting over the years, so being me and not a character doesn’t bother me.”
Claire’s chances
A survivor of the first-ever Celebrity Big Brother, but she’s probably still best known for her turn in Brookside more than 20 years ago. Her pratfalls might be worth tuning in for though. Could get the soap fan vote.
Predicted placing: 7th
Mariella Frostrup, 63, broadcaster and journalist
Bringing the gravitas this year is presenter Frostrup, who says she’s flying the flag for older women. “A good 50 per cent of the reason that I am doing this is I am constantly telling other women we should grab our chances. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be written off at a certain age. So, I think this is me having a taste of my own medicine! I am putting myself through something I am frightened of.”
She’s also determined to be herself. While her public image may be cool and rather highbrow, she knows that viewers soon get the measure of the contestants. “What you see is what you get,” adds Frostrup, who married husband Jason McCue in the Panamanian jungle. “I don’t think anybody could keep up a pretence for two to three weeks. With I’m a Celebrity… there is no hiding place.”
Mariella’s chances
The oldest contestant and with something to prove to herself and others, she could strike a chord with viewers if she throws herself into it. With her rather chilly persona, maybe the humid Aussie jungle will precipitate a thaw.
Predicted placing: 4th