Wayne Rooney is preparing to trade his £20million family mansion for life in the Australian jungle as he joins the latest series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
The former England captain has been pictured in his jungle outfit for the first time alongside the 10 other celebrities taking part in the ITV reality show.
Rooney, 41, has revealed that he hopes his appearance will give viewers a better understanding of his personality after years of footballing success, personal scandals and public controversies.
Speaking ahead of the programme, he said he wanted audiences to recognise him as a genuine person.
Wayne Rooney hopes to show viewers his real personality
Rooney admitted that appearing on television every night for three weeks would be an unfamiliar experience, but said he was looking forward to the opportunity.
“This is probably the biggest exposure I’ve ever had, being on TV every night for three weeks. I hope people see I am a genuine person,” he said.
He also described himself as a fun-loving individual who enjoys playing pranks on people.
The former Manchester United and England striker said his decision to participate was partly influenced by his previous struggles in football management.
Following his dismissals from Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, Rooney said that not being particularly successful as a manager contributed to his decision to accept the opportunity.
Despite his excitement, he admitted that he was nervous about entering the jungle.
Coleen Rooney supports her husband’s decision
Rooney’s wife, Coleen, finished as runner-up on I’m A Celebrity in 2024, and her experience played a significant role in his decision to join the programme.
He confirmed that Coleen was proud of him and understood the challenges awaiting him because she had previously experienced life in the jungle.
“She is obviously,” he said when asked whether his wife was proud of his decision.
He added that her participation had given both of them an appreciation of the programme.
“Me and Coleen would sit there watching and we both always said: ‘If we were going to do one, it’s the show to do’,” he explained.
Rooney said he was looking forward to having his wife watch and follow his progress throughout the series.
While his younger sons, Kit, 10, and Cass, eight, are excited about seeing him on television, his older children, Kai, 17, and Klay, 13, are reportedly concerned that he might embarrass them.
“The younger two are very excited. I think my older two are worried that I will embarrass them,” he said.
“I tend to do that a lot when their friends come round [to our house] and I think they are more worried about me embarrassing them.”
Rooney reveals his biggest jungle fears
Although Rooney said he would be willing to participate in the eating trials, he admitted that certain jungle challenges could prove difficult.
He is particularly uncomfortable with the idea of jumping out of a helicopter after previously failing to complete three planned skydiving experiences.
“I’ve been booked to jump out of a plane three times before and never made it on the plane!” he revealed.
He also admitted that snakes and creatures in the water were among his biggest fears, explaining that he does not enjoy going into the sea.
His former football teammate Alan Shearer has already indicated that he will be supporting him throughout the competition.
However, the former Newcastle United and England striker has jokingly suggested that his support could make Rooney’s jungle experience considerably more challenging.
Alan Shearer promises to vote Rooney for Bushtucker Trials
Shearer, 56, revealed that he had recently spoken to Rooney, who was excited about his upcoming television appearance.
Speaking in an interview with Betfair, he said: “Wayne’s going into the jungle for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, and when I saw him the other week, he was looking forward to it. He’s excited. He’s in great shape.”
Shearer also asked Rooney about the things he feared most.
“He said he’s claustrophobic. He doesn’t like rats. He doesn’t like snakes and he doesn’t like heights,” he explained.
Shearer joked that Rooney would probably be fine apart from those fears.
He also revealed that he intended to vote for his former teammate to participate in the Bushtucker Trials every night.
“It’s going to cost me a fortune every night when I’m voting him at least 20 times,” he joked.
Despite his enthusiasm for Rooney’s participation, Shearer admitted that he would never consider joining the programme himself because of the eating challenges.
“The eating challenges are the worst. I couldn’t do that, so there is no way you will catch me going to the jungle. But good luck to Wayne,” he added.
Meet the 11 celebrities joining this year’s jungle
Rooney is among an 11-person celebrity line-up featuring television personalities, entertainers, broadcasters and social media stars.
The contestants include Joanna Page, Ade Adepitan, Sharky, Chloe Burrows, Ricky Wilson, AJ Odudu, Claire Sweeney, Jack Skipper, Mariella Frostrup and Leomie Anderson.
<PRIVATE_PERSON> is best known for playing Stacey in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey and will be swapping Barry Island for Australia.
Ade Adepitan will make history as the first wheelchair user to participate in the show’s 24-year history.
ITV bosses have reportedly adapted the camp to ensure it is accessible for him.
Sharky, whose real name is Sharmarke Mohamud, has built a substantial online following, with 2.3 million TikTok followers after initially gaining attention on YouTube.
Former Love Island contestant Chloe Burrows and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson are also preparing to take on the jungle challenges.
Television presenter AJ Odudu will be hoping her fitness preparations help her through the competition, while former Glow Up host and model Leomie Anderson is preparing to exchange the catwalk for jungle life.
Claire Sweeney, who became famous through the Channel 4 soap Brookside, and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup complete the line-up alongside comedian Jack Skipper.
Joanna Page and Claire Sweeney arrive in Australia
Joanna Page, 49, and Claire Sweeney, 55, arrived at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday ahead of next Monday’s launch show.
Speaking to the Daily Mail after landing, Page reflected on her long journey from Wales to Australia.
“I’ve come a very very long way from Barry Island! I wish Nessa was with me now,” she said, referencing her popular Gavin & Stacey character.
The actress described her flight as a welcome opportunity to relax without having to look after her four children.
She said she enjoyed being able to sit down, watch films and eat during the journey.
Page also revealed that she had spotted Love Actually and Taskmaster among the entertainment options on the flight, although she decided against watching the Christmas film in front of other passengers.
She also noticed Christmas trees at every airport she visited.
Page looks forward to some time away from family responsibilities
The actress said she was hoping to enjoy some personal time in Australia before Christmas.
Explaining what she wanted from the trip, she said she was looking forward to relaxing, enjoying spa treatments, trying local food and having some time away from her children.
“I just want to have a bit of me time before Christmas. A bit of time without the children maybe some spa treatments, maybe a mud facial, try to local cuisine and have a bit of a relax,” she said.
The celebrities are now preparing for the launch of the new series, which will see them leave their usual lifestyles behind and face the challenges of life in the jungle.
