Actress Claire Sweeney has arrived in Australia ahead of the new series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, following criticism over her last-minute withdrawal from the touring production of Annie.
The 55-year-old former Coronation Street star was spotted at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday, days after news emerged that she had left her role as Miss Hannigan in the musical.
Sweeney attracted attention at the airport wearing a snakeskin-print Adidas tracksuit, although she avoided confirming reports that she would be joining the ITV reality show‘s latest line-up.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, she jokingly claimed she had travelled to Australia to get her hair extensions and nails done because she could not arrange the appointments in Liverpool.
“I couldn’t get my extensions done in Liverpool and I managed to get an appointment over here to get my nails and hair done,” she said.
“I’m only here for a day getting my hair done then going back. My mum thinks I’m bonkers!”
She also acknowledged being a regular viewer of the programme, saying she was a big fan and would certainly be watching this year’s series.
Actress Faces Backlash Over Annie Tour Withdrawal
Sweeney’s arrival comes amid reported frustration from theatre-goers who had purchased tickets to see her perform as Miss Hannigan in Annie.
The actress was scheduled to appear in eight performances in Woking this month but withdrew from the production with little notice.
Drag performer La Voix has been brought in to replace her for the affected performances.
Sweeney is also scheduled to appear in another eight shows later this month at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford.
However, it remains unclear who will take over her role for those dates.
Her withdrawal from the musical has been linked to her reported involvement in I’m A Celebrity, although her participation has not been officially confirmed in the airport interview.
Under her contractual obligations with ITV, she is expected to remain in Australia for the duration of the programme, even if she is eliminated early.
Sweeney Previously Left Coronation Street for Musical Theatre
Earlier this year, Sweeney departed Coronation Street, where she played Cassie Plummer, a reformed drug addict.
She subsequently took on the role of Miss Hannigan in the touring production of Annie.
Before joining the ITV soap, the actress became widely recognised for playing Lindsey Corkhill in Channel 4’s long-running drama Brookside.
Her former Coronation Street co-star Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs, previously participated in I’m A Celebrity in 2024.
Wayne Rooney and YouTuber Sharky Also Arrive in Australia
Sweeney is among the celebrities expected to feature in the upcoming series, with former England footballer Wayne Rooney and YouTuber Sharky among the first arrivals in Australia.
Rooney, 41, landed in Brisbane on Monday, becoming the first reported celebrity to arrive ahead of the show’s launch.
YouTuber Sharky, whose real name is Sharmarke Mohamud, 30, arrived a few hours later.
Rooney’s participation would follow his wife Coleen Rooney’s appearance on the programme in 2024, when she finished as runner-up.
The former Manchester United captain has already been the subject of predictions from his former teammates about how he might cope with life in the jungle.
Former Manchester United Teammates Predict Rooney Could Lose His Temper
Nicky Butt, who previously played alongside Rooney at Manchester United, suggested that the footballer could struggle with the difficult conditions in camp.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Butt said he wanted to see Rooney lose his temper during the experience.
“I just want to see him flip. I want to see him snap on the jungle… No food, no sleep. Mosquito bites,” he said.
He added that Rooney could become frustrated but believed his participation would make entertaining television.
Butt also suggested the former footballer had the potential to win the competition.
Former Manchester United teammate Paul Scholes also discussed Rooney’s possible reaction to the challenges, particularly the lack of food.
Scholes said the conditions could either make Rooney hilarious or cause him to lose his temper, adding that he could potentially become physically aggressive.
Meanwhile, the Mail on Sunday reported that Rooney had already developed a friendship with Love Island star Chloe Burrows ahead of entering the jungle.
The pair reportedly became acquainted after participating in the charity football event Soccer Aid.
I’m A Celebrity Returns on November 16
The new series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is scheduled to launch on ITV on November 16.
The programme will see celebrities face challenging jungle conditions, including limited food, difficult trials and encounters with insects, as they compete for the title of the show’s winner.
