ITV Reportedly Targets Wayne Rooney for Record-Breaking I’m A Celebrity Deal as Joanna Page and Ricky Wilson Join Star Line-Up

Adeayo Oluwasewa Badewo
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The reported cast for the latest series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! has emerged, with former England football captain Wayne Rooney, Gavin & Stacey actress Joanna Page and comedian Leigh Francis among the names expected to enter the Australian jungle.

ITV has confirmed that the programme will return on Monday, November 16, at 9pm, with 12 celebrities preparing to compete in the latest edition of the reality show.

Other reported contestants include Victoria’s Secret model Leomie Anderson, Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson, television presenter AJ Odudu and former Love Island star Chloe Burrows.

Broadcaster Ade Adepitan, presenter Mariella Frostrup, actress Claire Sweeney, TikTok personality Sharky and comedian Jack Skipper are also named among the expected contestants.

However, ITV representatives have stressed that the names remain speculation, with the official campmate announcements expected closer to the programme’s launch.

Wayne Rooney Reportedly Offered Record-Breaking Fee

Wayne Rooney is reportedly set to become one of the biggest signings in the show’s history, with ITV bosses said to have offered him a fee exceeding the record amount previously earned by his wife, Coleen Rooney.

Coleen received a reported £1.5million for her appearance on the programme two years ago, making her the highest-paid contestant at the time.

The former Manchester United and England striker had previously expressed an interest in taking part, having watched his wife compete in the jungle.

Speaking last year, Wayne said he would not rule out appearing on the programme, describing it as a show he and Coleen had always watched and considered participating in.

He also recalled discussing the possibility during the aftershow when his wife was a contestant, although he said he was exploring other opportunities at the time.

Joanna Page Set to Swap Barry Island for the Australian Jungle

Joanna Page, widely recognised for playing Stacey in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, is reportedly preparing to join the new series.

According to reports, the actress will exchange her familiar surroundings in Barry Island for the Australian jungle, where she is expected to take on the show’s challenges.

Sources close to the programme reportedly believe her appearance will allow viewers to see a different side of the actress.

Page has allegedly told friends that she is excited about participating and wants to make her children proud.

Leigh Francis Answers Ant and Dec’s Jungle Invitation

Comedian Leigh Francis is another reported addition to the cast after previously receiving a public invitation from presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.

During an appearance on their Hanging Out with Ant and Dec podcast, Ant directly encouraged Francis to participate, describing the experience as enjoyable and asking him to join the programme.

Dec also expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of watching the comedian take part in the show’s Bushtucker Trials.

The presenters described his potential appearance as a full-circle moment, recalling a sketch from The Keith Lemon Sketch Show approximately a decade earlier, in which Francis and actor Adam Booth dressed up as the presenting duo.

Leomie Anderson Prepares for Jungle Appearance

Supermodel Leomie Anderson is reportedly preparing to exchange the fashion runway for the Australian jungle.

Anderson made history in 2019 when she became the first Black British model to be named an Angel for Victoria’s Secret.

She has also worked in television, previously presenting the BBC make-up competition series Glow Up, before leaving the programme.

Her reported appearance on I’m A Celebrity would mark another reality television challenge following her participation in Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt, filmed in Costa Rica.

Anderson was the first contestant eliminated from that competition and will reportedly be hoping for a longer stay in the jungle.

Ricky Wilson Reportedly Joins the Contestants

Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson is also expected to feature in the new series.

The singer is recognised for performing some of the band’s best-known tracks, including Ruby and I Predict A Riot.

Wilson has reportedly featured on ITV bosses’ list of potential contestants for several years but previously turned down opportunities to participate.

This time, he is said to have agreed to take part, bringing his music career and television experience to the programme.

AJ Odudu Prepares for Another Television Challenge

Presenter AJ Odudu is among the other celebrities reportedly heading to Australia.

The Big Brother presenter has been training in the gym ahead of her participation in a Celebrity Gladiators special scheduled for later in the year.

Her fitness preparation is expected to help her tackle the physical demands of the jungle competition.

Odudu previously presented Big Brother alongside Will Best, although her hours on the programme were reportedly reduced earlier this year.

Chloe Burrows Brings Love Island Experience

Former Love Island contestant Chloe Burrows is also reportedly joining the programme.

Burrows became widely known after appearing on the ITV dating show in 2021 and has since developed a career in broadcasting and digital media.

She currently presents her own podcast and a radio programme on KISS Breakfast.

Her reported signing follows the appearances of other reality television personalities, including Maura Higgins, who competed in the jungle in 2024, and social media personalities Angry Ginge and GK Barry.

Burrows has also appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Scared of the Dark and Celebs Go Dating.

Ade Adepitan Set to Make I’m A Celebrity History

Broadcaster and former Paralympic basketball player Ade Adepitan is reportedly preparing to become the first wheelchair user to compete in the programme’s 24-year history.

Adepitan rose to prominence through his involvement with the Great Britain wheelchair basketball team, winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.

He later established a career in television broadcasting.

ITV bosses are reportedly keen to include him in the new series and are said to be making adjustments to the camp to ensure it is accessible during his stay.

Adepitan lost the use of his left leg after contracting polio as a baby.

Mariella Frostrup Among the Reported Campmates

Television presenter Mariella Frostrup is another name linked to the upcoming series.

Best known for her appearances on Loose Women, Frostrup is reportedly being considered a distinctive addition to the cast.

She previously married her second husband in the Panama jungle and is now expected to create new memories in the Australian wilderness if her reported participation goes ahead.

Her potential appearance has reportedly attracted interest from programme bosses, who are said to be pleased about having her as part of the line-up.

Claire Sweeney Returns to the Spotlight

Actress Claire Sweeney is also reportedly preparing to enter the jungle.

Sweeney first became famous playing Lindsey Corkhill in Channel 4 soap opera Brookside before later securing a role in ITV’s Coronation Street.

She played Cassie Plummer for three years before stepping away from the soap in August, leaving her available for other television commitments.

Her former Coronation Street co-star Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs, previously competed in I’m A Celebrity in 2024.

TikTok Personality Sharky Joins the Reported Line-Up

Social media personality Sharky, whose real name is Sharmarke Mohamud, is also among the reported contestants.

He initially built his online following through YouTube before expanding his presence on TikTok, where he has accumulated approximately 2.3 million followers.

His reported inclusion is expected to attract younger viewers, with programme bosses said to be looking to replicate the success of previous social media personalities who have appeared on the show.

Comedian Jack Skipper Completes the Reported Cast

Comedian Jack Skipper is reportedly the final name in the 12-person line-up.

Skipper has established a following through his comedy content on TikTok and Instagram while spending several years performing on the comedy circuit.

His reported participation continues the programme’s tradition of featuring comedians among its celebrity contestants.

ITV Confirms November Return Date

Although the reported line-up has generated attention, ITV has maintained that the names circulating are speculative and that the official contestants will be revealed closer to the launch.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will premiere on Monday, November 16, at 9pm.

The programme will air on ITV1 and STV, with episodes also available through ITVX and STV Player.

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About Adeayo Oluwasewa Badewo

A performance driven and goal oriented young lady with excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills. She is experienced in creative writing, editing, proofreading, and administration. Oluwasewa Badewo is also skilled in Customer Service and Relationship Management, Project Management, Human Resource Management, Team work, and Leadership with a Master's degree in Communication and Language Arts (Applied Communication).