It’s that time of year again when, in the build-up to Christmas, Ant and Dec’s reality TV juggernaut I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! dominates the nightly schedules.
So far, footballing legend Wayne Rooney and YouTube sensation Sharky have both arrived at Brisbane Airport following a gruelling 21-hour flight, as have Leonie Anderson, Claire Sweeney and Ade Adepitan.
Joanna Page has also been spotted making her way Down Under, ahead of the cohort’s stint in the camp, as they swap their lives of luxury for the most basic retreat of all time.
Here’s your cast for 2026, with the launch now days away!
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Confirmed
Wayne Rooney
Two years ago, Wayne’s wife Coleen entered the jungle, which came on the back of her infamous Wagatha Christie trial against Rebekah Vardy and saw her bag what was reported to be one of the highest paycheques in the show’s history.
Now the football legend himself is about to follow in his wife’s footsteps. Bosses jad been in “negotiations” with the England legend for some time, but on a recent appearance on This Morning, he simply said fans would “have to wait and see.” In other words: he did not deny it!
And he was later seen arriving at an Australian airport, ready to head to the Jungle. “I’ve never been to Australia,” he told the press as he landed.
The former Manchester United FC striker, 41, wasn’t giving anything away when he landed at Brisbane Airport. He remained tight-lipped when asked if he was looking forward to the jungle, but smiled when he was asked if he was looking forward to jungle karaoke.
Rooney, who has enjoyed a successful career as a football pundit following spells in management, is the biggest name in this year’s line-up.
Bookies have him as the firm favourite. The former England captain is understood to be particularly keen to impress his four sons – Kai, 16, Klay, 13, Kit, ten, and Cass, eight – by taking on the show’s notorious Bushtucker Trials.
Since hanging up his boots, he has managed Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle before establishing himself as a television pundit. But it is his quick wit and famously blunt opinions that those close to him believe could make him a hit with viewers.
Sharky
YouTube star Sharky became the second celeb to touch down. The 30-year-old had reportedly been at the top of ITV’s wishlist following the success of Angryginge, who won last year.
Sharky, originally from the Netherlands, looked relaxed in a blue sweater and black beanie, carrying his backpack and a bottle of water through the arrivals hall.
He launched his YouTube channel in 2015 and uploaded videos about gaming, football and internet challenges. As of writing, he has 1.51 million subscribers on YouTube and 2.2 million on TikTok.
Ade Adepitan
Paralympian Ade, 53, is the first star in a wheelchair to enter the jungle. A couple of months ago, it was reported that he could be about to head into the jungle, with show bosses working to ensure the camp is adapted to accommodate him.
I’m A Celeb has featured some paralympians before, including Hollie Arnold, who has a limb difference and was on the 2020 series, as well as Kadeena Cox, who was on the 2021 and has multiple sclerosis. But, so far, there has not been an I’m A Celeb contestant who uses a wheelchair.
Pretending, as all arriving stars do, that he isn’t really in town to appear on I’m A Celeb, the former wheelchair basketball player told The Mirror: “I am here to advise on the 2027 Australian tap-dancing festival. I am here to dance.”
Asked what he would miss most about being away, he said: “Time with my family.”
Leomie Anderson
Model Leomie is strutting her stuff in Australia, after having competed in Bear Grylls’ Celebrity Bear Hunt on Netflix. She was the first celeb eliminated on the Netflix show, and is reportedly hoping for a better run this time.
Starting her career aged 17, Leomie has walked for huge brands, like Marc Jacobs and Vivienne Westwood, as well as in four Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows from 2015-2018. She was the first Black British model to become an angel. In 2023, she worked for the British reality TV series Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up star as a co-host.
Speaking as she arrived, Leomie told The Mirror: “I came here to see the sights baby, the Gold Coast it’s beautiful.”
Claire Sweeney
Claire Sweeney arrived Down Under wearing a snake skin print tracksuit. And she’s jokingly told the Mirror: “I’m here to get my extensions done.”
“I couldn’t get my extensions down in Liverpool so I got an appointment over here to get my nails and my hair done,” she joked. “I love Australia, the people are cool and friendly. It’s a home from home.”
She said it was a return trip to the country after previously starring in a TV show there. She said: “I was here years ago and did a TV show called Challenge of a Lifetime . Last time I was here I was crawling between two skyscrapers on a wire on my stomach. …that was 20 years ago.”
Claire previously said in 2024: “I’d love to [I’m A Celeb]. I’m a massive fan and look forward to it — it starts Christmas off when it comes on TV.”
Yet to arrive…
AJ Odudu
AJ is currently fronting Big Brother with Will Best but, like her co-host, currently competing on Strictly Come Dancing, she could also be about to become a contestant on one of the nation’s biggest reality shows.
A source said: “She’s had early conversations about taking part and has made it clear she can absolutely make the dates they need her to.”
The Blackburn-born star has appeared on many UK celebrity competition shows before, including The Celebrity Apprentice, Gladiators, Bake Off’s Stand Up to Cancer special and Strictly.
Ricky Wilson
Ricky Wilson is known for huge hits like Ruby and I Predict a Riot as part of the Kaiser Chiefs. It was previously reported that he had “always politely declined” the jungle before, but could now have changed his mind.
Ricky has been a judge on some of the UK’s most beloved competition shows, such as The Voice and Shooting Star. He has also been a contestant in the Masked Singer.
Away from TV and music, Ricky is married to celebrity stylist Grace Zito. They have been together since 2015 and got married six years later. In 2022, they welcomed twins.
Joanna Page
Following Melanie Walters’ stint on Strictly, Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page is rumoured to be doing her own competition show. She is rumoured to be headed to the jungle, with a source saying she wants people to “know the real Joanna” and to “make her children proud”.
Joanna played titular character Stacey West in the BBC sitcom and is also known for playing Judy in holiday film Love Actually. In the past year, she took part in and won the comedy competition show Taskmaster. She is also a regular panellist on Loose Women.
Chloe Burrows
After making a name for herself on Love Island, Chloe Burrows looks to be flying off again, but this time to Australia for I’m A Celeb. Producers for the show are said to be interested due to her social media popularity, hoping she will be as big on the show as GK Barry was.
Chloe took part in the seventh series of love Island and has also appeared on Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity Masterchef and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. As of February this year, she has been a co-presenter of the Kiss Breakfast Show alongside Tyler West. The two replaced Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely.
Mariella Frostrup
63-year-old Loose Women star is said to be joining the IAC cast this year, with a source calling it a “prestige signing” for the programme. They added that she “isn’t the sort of character you necessarily expect to see heading into the camp”. The IAC team are said to be excited to hear what anecdotes she brings to the fire pit.
Mariella has been a regular on Loose Women since July 2024. Other than the ITV daytime show, she has only done a few TV appearances, most of which are documentaries. She presented one such show for BBC One called The Truth About The Menopause. In 2012, she was also in the BBC Two show World’s Most Dangerous Roads and she presented The Book Show on Sky Arts One.
Leigh Francis
Keith Lemon star Leigh Francis may be joining I’m A Celeb this year. Ant and Dec previously expressed their desire to see the comic join them Down Under, saying: “If we got Leigh Francis in the jungle . . . and we had to stand by and watch him do a trial, let’s try and make that happen.”
Leigh has previously been in Celebrity Bake Off and Let’s Dance for Sports Relief, but this would be the first time he has competed in a full length series of a competition show.
Jack Skipper
Stand-up comedian and internet personality Jack Skipper could join I’m A Celeb. He’s previously toured with Russell Kane and producers reportedly hope he’ll bring some light-heartedness to the show.
As well as performing on shows such as Live at the Apollo, Jack has a popular TikTok account, which has 544.3k followers and amassed 19.7million likes. His videos often amass more than 100,000 views and are a mixture of clips from his stand up routines and comedy monologues.
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