JUNGLE SQUAD
Full confirmed I’m A Celebrity line up so far with Britney Spears’ sister and MasterChef star – plus rumoured campmates
They include a telly host, a jockey, a Corrie icon - and a pop legend's sibling
I'M A Celebrity's latest lineup of stars is starting to take shape, with just days left until the show kicks off in Australia.
A series of famous faces are set to appear on the critter-filled ITV reality TV show - with more names in the mix.
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Here, we take a look at the stars who are in talks to don their I'm A Celebrity hats - and the ones who might be pulling on their jungle boots.
Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly will again front the series set to return to our screens later this month...
NICK PICKARD
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Nick,48, - who is known to millions as Hollyoaks’ old timer Tony Hutchinson - is in talks to leave rainy Chester behind for Australia’s glorious Gold Coast to join Ant and Dec's reality juggernaut.
A TV source told The Sun: “Tony from Hollyoaks - as Nick will always happily be known as - is an absolute soap legend and a huge signing for I’m A Celeb.
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“Soap stars always do brilliantly on the show because they come with a loyal following and they don’t come more down-to-earth and likeable than Nick.
“He would be fantastic and make great telly if he makes the final cut.
“Of course Hollyoaks was recently moved online by Channel 4 so it comes at a helpful time for the soap too, helping introduce that younger online audience to Nick via I’m A Celeb’s huge reach.”
NIGEL FARAGE
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Former Brexit Party chief, Nigel Farage is said to be in advanced talks with ITV’s show bosses about becoming a campmate.
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The 59-year-old has is negotiating a deal, possibly worth up to £1million.
I'm A Celeb producers hope Farage will follow in the footsteps of disgraced ex-Health Secretary Matt Hancock who turned out to be a stand-out contestant.
A TV insider said: “Nigel has been at the top of the wish-list for I’m A Celeb bosses for years.
“They’ve offered him a huge fee as they know he’ll drive up viewing figures. Ant and Dec will love this signing.
“Nigel’s the ultimate Marmite character and won’t hold back in camp discussions.
“It’s a real coup. The casting team has nailed it. It’s shaping up to be a brilliant series.”
FRED SIRIEIX
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In September The Sun told how telly foodie Fred Sirieix, 51, risks biting off more than he can chew — as he’s in advanced talks to appear on the show.
A TV insider said: “Show bosses hope he’ll be a hit with the ladies watching, which is part of the reason they’ve targeted him.
“Everyone’s really excited that they’re close to signing him up.”
The First Dates maître d’ keeps in shape by boxing and would become the latest hunk to show off his physique in the camp shower.
But Fred, who has also starred with chefs Gordon Ramsay and Gino D’Acampo in their food Road Trip show, said last year: “I don’t think I’d do I’m a Celebrity. I wouldn’t be too keen on eating a camel’s anus or something like that.
“I know I eat frogs, I’m French, but at least those frogs are cooked!”
JAMIE SPEARS
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Britney Spears' sister Jamie Lynn is set to appear in the jungle - minus her more-famous sibling, sadly.
Bosses are hoping the 32-year-old mum of two will lift the lid on life with the pop megastar after their huge falling out in recent years.
It comes just weeks after the Toxic singer, 41, branded her a "total b****" after not helping her during her conservatorship.
Britney had lived under a controlled by her father for 13 years.
JOSIE GIBSON
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Back in July, The Sun revealed how This Morning anchor Josie, 38, has penned a bumper jungle deal.
An ITV insider said: “Josie is hugely popular with This Morning viewers and producers were determined to get her.
“She is seen as the perfect person for the jungle as she’s already such a familiar face on ITV and will bring her fanbase with her.
“She’s incredibly down-to-earth and seems to strike a chord with people at home. Plus they’re confident Josie will bring the laughs to I’m A Celebrity, as she already does on This Morning, and is guaranteed to get on with most of the jungle campmates."
Bristol-born Josie won Big Brother 2010 but her TV career appeared to have stalled until she started as a competition announcer on This Morning in 2019.
In 2021, she became a part-time presenter, filling in at short notice for Holly Willoughby.
And this May she found herself firmly in the spotlight following Phillip Schofield’s exit.
FRANKIE DETTORI
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Retired jockey Frankie, 52, will have plenty of time on his hands to battle bugs after saying farewell to his illustrious horse racing career.
The sports ace has told how it is in fact keeping up his appearance - as opposite to the swarms of jungle bugs - that worries him the most.
A source exclusively revealed to The Sun: “Frankie is excited for the jungle but is just worried about who will do his hair while he is there!”
Frankie — famed for his “flying dismounts” after race wins — is known for keeping up appearances.
Over the years, the diminutive Italian has sported a slicked-down side part, brushed his hair back, modelled a Peaky Blinders-style undercut and even tried a bleach blond buzz cut.
MARVIN HUMES
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He was best known as a member of X Factor boyband JLS, but now bosses think the Primetime TV host could be the perfect fit for the jungle.
Marvin, 38, and wife Rochelle Humes, 34, are best known for covering on the This Morning but have also presented smash BBC gameshow The Hit List since 2019.
And execs think that the star has broad appeal as a jungle source said: “Marvin would be a brilliant signing.
"Not only is he known to fans of The X Factor and fans of JLS, but the audience for The Hit List and This Morning spans from kids right through older viewers.
"And with Rochelle’s backing, he’s got a ready made fan base.
"He’ll have lots of showbiz stories to tell, too, from his 15 years in the limelight.”
The source added: "The fact he’s remained a bit of a pin-up doesn’t hurt, either, and bosses hope he’ll make use of the jungle shower!"
GRACE DENT
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MasterChef guest judge Grace Dent is to take part in I’m A Celeb this year — despite once being less than complimentary about the ITV show.
The TV food critic, 50, branded the series “a puerile venture into starvation, televised constipation and animal cruelty, abbreviated by ads for Iceland £1 curries".
However, it seems she has had a chance of heart over the show and is now set to appear in the jungle herself.
An insider told The Sun: “Masterchef fans know Grace for her withering put-downs of contestants’ food and disdain for anything less than stellar cooking.
“But she’ll be eating humble pie in the jungle, surviving on rice and beans and taking part in Bushtucker trials.”
SAM THOMPSON
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Former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson is set to appear on I’m A Celebrity.
He first joined the toff series in 2013 and he now presents E4’s Reality News with Towie’s Pete Wicks.
The star also presented the official Love Island podcast, appeared on the spin-off show Aftersun and he made his own Channel 4 documentary on his personal journey with ADHD.
His girlfriend Zara McDermott was just booted off Strictly Come Dancing on the rival network.
But sources insist the reality TV favourite’s personality will be a hit in the jungle and it could turn the pair into national superstars.
Our source said: "Sam is a great signing because he has a huge fan base and a funny, self-deprecating personality.
"It will be difficult if Zara is still on Strictly as she will be too busy to head out to the jungle to support him.
"While it might put a bit of pressure on their relationship, it’s a huge year for them."
DANIELLE HAROLD
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Back in September we revealed that Danielle Harold was in talks to appear on I’m A Celebrity.
Fans were gripped as her character, Lola Pearce, passed away in May from a terminal brain tumour in a heartbreaking storyline.
The 31-year-old Eastenders actress recieved widespread acclaim and went onto win the gong for Serial Drama Performance at this year's National Television Awards.
A telly source said: "Danielle is at the height of her career and in demand after her moving storyline on EastEnders, but she’s really caught the eye of ITV bosses to appear in the upcoming series of the jungle.
"As well as being a talented actress with a huge fanbase, Danielle has a fun personality with a wicked sense of humour, which makes her the ideal campmate for the show.
"It could propel her into superstardom at an exciting time in her acting journey.
RUMOURED CAMPMATES
ALEX BERESFORD
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The Good Morning Britain weatherman, 43, is strongly tipped for a jungle spot.
He has fronted a variety of TV shows away from the breakfast TV series - and I'm A Celeb could be his next.
And Alex added fuel to the speculation when he described how a spot on the show would be "awesome."
No doubt he could pick up some tips from GMB co-host Kate Garraway, who is a former Im A Celeb alumni.
DENISE VAN OUTEN
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Telly favourite Denise, 49, has a spot in her diary to fill after it was revealed her show Steph's Packed Lunch is being scrapped.
Denise, who turns 50 next May, also previously told us: "I will do it at some point.
"I think I’m a Celebrity for my 50th birthday would be something nice to do."
DANNY CIPRIANI
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Kelly Brook's rugby-star ex, 35, recently released a tell-all book.
Yet, with more time on his hands post-publication, it appears Danny is after the jungle king crown.
He has been signed up for I'm A Celebrity, with bosses hoping he will spill the secrets on his relationships with both Kelly and ex glamour model Katie Price.
He was also linked to Caroline Flack and Kirsty Gallacher before marrying mental health campaigner Victoria Rose in April 2021.
Yet, that's quite a slimmed-down jungle bunch - so lets take a look at the stars tipped for telly's most gruesome challenges.
ALAN HALSALL
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Coronation Street's favourite mechanic Tyrone Dobbs - aka actor Alan Halsall, 41 - is in talks to head Down Under.
Alan is is hugely popular with ITV telly viewers after 25 years on the Cobbles.
A source said: “Tyrone is one of Corrie’s most-loved characters so Alan comes with a ready-made fan base.
“Sometimes soap actors who are known for their iconic roles don’t quite translate once in camp - Adam Woodyatt being one recent example.
“But Alan is a top lad with bags of personality so ITV are over the moon he’s in talks to join their 2023 cast.”
OLIVIA ATTWOOD
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Could it be second time lucky for Olivia?
The Sun was first to reveal how the Love Island alumni, 32, was removed from camp following a dramatic dash to A&E.
The check-up showed that the telly star was dangerously anaemic.
Back in April, Olivia dropped her biggest hint yet that she was set for a jungle return.
Ben Miller
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Ben Miller previously teased that he could be make a surprise appearance on this year's I'm A Celebrity.
He is well known for his part in the BBC show Death In Paradise where he played DI Poole.
However, after the character was killed off from the show in 2014, the 57-year-old star landed a series of other parts.
He also turned his hand to a brand new career as a children's author, but it seems a journey in reality TV could be next on the list.
He was asked what he had planned for the rest of the year during an interview on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch.
Ben told the presenters: "I'm packing for Australia, I go to Australia tomorrow until Christmas, so it's a lot of packing. I'm going to Canberra."
Sparking speculation, host Tim said: "Simon, I didn't know they were doing to Jungle in Canberra this year, did you?"
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His co-star then cheekily replied: "No I didn't, I thought they were doing it in Wales. Interesting, I don't know where they do it, but it is interesting."
Ben then cottoned onto the joke as he fuelled the rumour himself by saying: "I'm looking forward to those Kangaroo bits."
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