The nights are drawing in and people are starting to say the C word a lot more often, which means that one thing: I’m A Celebrity is now within view. And, with the clock ticking down for the start of the new series, more stars have come forward and been linked with the jungle, including a star set to earn 1.5 million dollars, Netflix’s biggest this year, and a favorite radio DJ.
Whether we like it or not, Christmas is fast approaching, and with Strictly already back, it won’t be long until Ant and Dec are back Down Under, with a new line-up of stars, who swap the red carpet for a jungle bunk. In 2022, I’m A Celebrity made its debut on ITV, crowning legend radio DJ Tony Blackburn as the first series winner, followed by champions such as Matt Willis, Kerry Katona, Georgia Toffolo, Scarlett Moffatt, and Vicky Pattison.
Bookies were in no doubt that Sam Thompson would win last year’s show, with the ex-Made in Chelsea star the runaway King of the Jungle, and, after I’m A Celebrity’s victory in the Best Entertainment category at this year’s National Television Awards, the rumor mill is throwing all manner of big names as potential campmates for 2024.
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From an X Factor star and chart-topping singer to a social media star, a Love Island finalist who was at the center of a high-profile split, and a Top Gear legend, we run down the latest lineup rumors ahead of the new series, starting November 17.
I’m A Celebrity 2024 line-up rumors
Coleen Rooney
Indeed, reports suggest that Coleen Rooney could be heading to the jungle! The wife of ex-England striker Wayne and the woman who turned the world upside down in 2019 with the words ‘It’s Rebekah Vardy’s account’ is said to land a deal from ITV to the tune of £1.5 million.
A source told The Sun: “I’m A Celeb bosses have pulled off a huge coup, getting Coleen for the jungle this year, and the team are thrilled to have her on board.”
Coleen has a huge fanbase, and she won massive plaudits for her classy handling of the Wagatha Christie case. She’s excited to show fans a different side to her and prove she can survive without her creature comforts,” an insider added.
Danny Jones
Last week, the revelation that former Love Island star Tommy Fury had ‘pulled out’ of the new series dealt a blow to TV bosses. And, although it was reported initially that ITV bosses had headhunted another Love Island finalist—Maura Higgins—to replace him, their attention has reportedly switched to Danny, the McFly icon who won The Masked Singer earlier this year as Piranha.
Masked Singer’s Danny Jones as Piranha
Masked Singer’s Danny Jones as Piranha (Picture: ITV)
Speaking about his relationship with the new show, an insider revealed: “He is also bringing some of the star status of the group with him.” He will truly embody the serious charm that both campmates and viewers adore.
He was last viewed on television in the series finale of The Voice UK last weekend on ITV as his and fellow bandmate Tom Fletcher’s protégée, Ava, defeated her opponents to reach No 1.
Rumor has it that Ally, a former goal-sharpener for Rangers and Scotland who is now a TV match pundit, could join Ant and Dec in the I’m A Celeb camp.
Two years ago, Ally reportedly attended a meeting with the producers but abruptly changed his mind. A source said: “Ally has such a huge fan base thanks to his years of commentating and punditry, plus his long stint on A Question of Sport. He’d be great for the jungle—as his wife and kids have been telling him forever—so everyone is really hopeful that this will be the year.”
This rumor is probably already in its grave now, as last week Ally publicly released a denial as she was appearing on Jeff Stelling’s radio show.
Tulisa Contestable
Already well-known as half of N-Dubs, Tulisa’s fame has skyrocketed since she joined The X Factor as a judge in 2011. She guided Little Mix to victory in her first season, and then took on the challenge of guiding Ella Henderson to victory in the following season, just a few months after her solo release, Young, reached the top of the charts.
In recent years, Tulisa has maintained a low profile, but now there are rumors that she will join the jungle. The insider said, “Tulisa’s varied career makes her a good prospect for I’m A Celebrity because she has appeal among the masses.”
She’s familiar to her fans from the X Factor days, but the N-Dubs tour helped her get closer to that younger audience through platforms such as TikTok. In particular, ITV is high on the hope that Derry’s deal will finally be done so that more of this demographic, who are between 16 and 24 years old, can see more of Derry on its screens.
Following the success of his show Baby Reindeer at the prestigious Emmy Awards, experts are tipping the writer and actor to enter the jungle, with odds of 9/4.
And experts reckon he could net £250,000 should he sign up.
Dean McCullough
She became during the past few years also a very strong favorite with radio 1 listeners and a bigwig regular it he Bige Big Brother sister program “Late & Live.”.
An insider tipped him to do I’m a Celebrity, saying: “Dean isn’t known for being a shrinking violet and is sure to be outspoken—plus he’s one of the youngest men lined up for the show so far.”
Rev. Richard Coles
Besides his stint on Strictly in 2017, Richard was a member of highly successful 80s act The Communards. Talking him up for a stint in the jungle, an insider said: “As always, the jungle bosses have cleverly put together a sensational line-up guaranteed to make for compulsive viewing. Rev. Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth.”
Maura Higgins
Before reports of Danny Jones joining surfaced, it was claimed that I’m A Celeb bosses were headhunting Maura to replace her former Love Island co-star Tommy.
Maura is on Love Island.
Maura is on Love Island.
An insider told The Sun: “With Tommy Fury pulling out, it gave show bosses the opportunity to look at other Love Island stars,, and Maura stood out as the perfect candidate.”.
She will add a touch of glamour to the jungle and make an excellent campmate due to her exceptional sense of humor, which is likely to resonate with all the other campers.
Max Whitlock
Max Whitlock walked away from competition after losing out on a medal in the men’s pommel horse final at the Paris Olympics in February, and he could now become an I’m A Celeb star.
Confirming his retirement, Max said he was ‘done with his competitive career’ and wanted to focus on changing gymnastics at the grassroots level. According to Gambling.com, he has a 4/6 chance of ending up in the jungle by the end of 2024.
Helen Worth
Another TV star who has been associated with Strictly this year is soon to be leaving the role that she has played on and off since 1977 in Coronation Street-Gail Platt, Helen Worth.
Soap bosses are remaining very tight-lipped over her exit storyline, but it is due to play out in the run-up to Christmas, shot in advance.
That would leave Helen free to pop down under if the mood took her, and Gambling.com would make her a 5/1 bet.
Jeremy Clarkson
Many Top Gear viewers would be thrilled to see this signing, as Jeremy will be considered for I’m A Celebrity after The Grand Tour concludes.
Lee Astley, spokesperson for betideas.com, comments: “With the final episode of The Grand Tour now broadcast, everyone is wondering where Jeremy Clarkson will next appear on our screens, and a stint in the Jungle on I’m a Celebrity looks like a likely destination.”.
“Clarkson has had numerous adventures in deserts and jungles, which is undoubtedly why he’s a 3/1 outsider to feature in the soon-to-be-released installment of I’m a Celebrity later this year.”
GK Barry
The celebrity social media influencer boasts many millions of followers on her Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channels, making her the latest addition to Loose Women, who became a regular member of the ITV discussion program earlier in the year. The social media starlet is just 25 years old; her real name is Grace Keeling.
As well as hitting the podcast scene with Saving Grace and a hit live tour of the same name, GK also featured on the scary Channel 4 reality show Don’t Look Down last year.
Tommy Fury
The boxer and Love Island finalist has been making headlines following his split from fiancée Molly Mae Hague in the summer. He is now being tipped to appear on I’m A Celebrity.
A spokesman for bookies Ladbroke said: “Reality TV chiefs will surely be queuing up to snap up Molly-Mae or Tommy following their shock split, and the odds suggest the latter could well be jungle-bound later this year.”
Another one that is probably to be laid to rest is the rumor that of Tommy pulling out of the new series for another ‘lucrative project.’
Giovanni Pernice
One of the glaring absentees of the new series of Strictly is Italian pro Giovanni. But he has been lately involved in bullying claims made against him by his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington whom he danced with on last year’s show. He flatly denied all the accusations brought against him.
Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing
Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing (Photo: BBC)
And yet, the scandal surrounding him will continue, and an ITV source said, “As long as those at the top are happy that Giovanni is not a bully and didn’t behave inappropriately on Strictly, they will be signing him up. They are very well aware of how much Strictly viewers will miss him, he’s a true fans’ favorite, so they hope he will draw in big audiences.”
Giovanni was the first contestant in 2015 and has appeared three times in the final and finally won with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021.
Alan Halsall
Coronation Street favorite Alan, who was tipped to attend I’m A Celebrity and was apparently ruled out at the final hour due to an injury, now has enjoyable odds of 1/2 to head Down Under with Betting Lounge.
He has been on Corrie for nearly 30 years now, having joined in the late 90s and has been at the center of some big storylines, including him being abused by ex-fiancée Kirsty.
