Now Strictly Come Dancing is underway, we’re left to wonder what the cast of the other big winter reality show – I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here 2024 – could look like.
An official start date for I’m a Celebrity is yet to be confirmed, but the rumour mill has started to turn with celebrity names who might be heading to Australia.
Beloved hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will be back in the jungle treehouse presiding over events and beaming into our living rooms as the upcoming series of the show unfolds.
So who could be gracing the lettering of the show’s infamous wildcat-themed opening credits? Here are the rumoured names that have emerged so far.
Coleen Rooney
The latest name said to be in talks to enter the jungle is Coleen Rooney.
Following her epic Wagatha Christie rivalry with Rebekah Vardy, I’m A Celeb bosses are hoping to pull off a “huge coup” by getting Coleen on the show to spill the beans further.
According to The Sun, Coleen will receive a record fee, higher than Nigel Farage’s £1.5million last year.
A source told the publication that Coleen has “always been a massive fan of the show and loves watching it with her boys”, adding that she has a huge fanbase, which is likely to appeal to ITV.
Tommy Fury
Love Island runner-up and boxer Tommy Fury could be heading into the jungle.
Fresh from a very public split from his fiancé Molly-Mae Hague this summer, the 25-year-old is said to be in talks with producers in the hopes of making this year’s line-up “one of the best”, according to a report in The Sun.
A production insider claimed Tommy is being considered because the ITV audience already knows him due to his past on Love Island.
Tommy himself has teased new projects, telling social media followers that he’s got “something potentially very, very exciting lined up at the back end of the year”. Could it be a trip to the I’m a Celebrity jungle?
Phillip Schofield
There has been plenty of speculation as to what Phillip Schofield might do next, after leaving This Morning in disgrace last year.
The answer could be a stint in the jungle – a setting certainly no stranger to controversial public figures (Nigel Farage, Matt Hancock etc).
A report in OK! quotes an insider as saying that TV is “what [Phillip has] done all his life and all he’s ever wanted to do”, and claimed that Ant & Dec are keen for him to take part in the show.
Schofield said several years ago that he wouldn’t do I’m a Celebrity, revealing live on air on This Morning that he hates the sound of “scraping billy cans” and “can’t do metal on metal” – the contestants, of course, are often seen eating out of metal mess tins on the show.
However, he was seen out with Dec laughing after having dinner together in May, which is as good a sign as any. Watch this space…
GK Barry
Social media star GK Barry is another name who is said to be in talks with the ITV show. The Sun reported that Barry turned down Strictly, before entering discussions with the I’m a Celeb bookers following an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women this summer.
An insider told the tabloid that Barry’s huge popularity with younger audiences is a factor, describing her as “sharp and quick witted”.
“Producers think she has great energy and is highly entertaining,” the insider continued. “She has millions of social media followers, which is a top focus of ITV at the moment.”
Giovanni Pernice
Following Giovanni Pernice’s sudden departure from Strictly Come Dancing amid complaints (Pernice has repeatedly denied “any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour”), the professional dancer is another celebrity name in the rumour mill for this year’s I’m a Celebrity.
A source told The Sun Giovanni would be “perfect” for the jungle. They added: “ITV bosses have wanted him for years and now he is finally free. Everyone is really eager to get him on board – he really would be ideal for those jungle showers.
“They are expected to offer him big money and he’s unlikely to turn it down really. He’ll have finished touring and will have those months free now he’s not doing Strictly.
“It’s definitely a very tempting offer and will be [a] surprise if he turns it down.”
Zara McDermott
Another possible name with a Strictly connection is Zara McDermott, who’s already addressed the rumours that she’s set to appear on the upcoming season of I’m a Celebrity – and tellingly didn’t shut down the speculation.
If the Love Island star did enter the jungle this year it would be hot on the heels of her boyfriend and Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson’s win last season.
“Who knows, you never know what’s going to happen,” Zara told Gaby Roslin on BBC Radio 2, admitting Sam would be tough to follow.
“I don’t know if I could follow his crowning. How could I ever follow that?” So not a no.
Harry Clarke
The Traitors series two winner quit his day job as an army engineer shortly after the second season of the show wrapped up on the BBC and he walked away with a sweet £95,000. The answer to what’s next for Harry might be an appearance on I’m A Celeb.
A source told The Mirror earlier this year that Harry had already been approached by ITV casting directors who wanted to sign him up for this year’s line-up, with an insider claiming “he is seriously considering saying yes”.
“If Harry does go into the jungle, it will be a really interesting twist – and a chance for ITV to buy into the BBC show’s massive success,” the source continued. “Plus he’ll be a pro at anything that involves duping other campmates.”
Alan Halsall
Best known for playing Tyrone Dobbs over on Coronation Street, Alan may now be gearing up to follow in the footsteps of co-stars like Simon Gregson and Andy Whyment. Halsall is no stranger to the I’m a Celebrity rumour mill, as he was one of the names in the offing in 2023.
However, a nasty ACL injury left him needing major surgery with a long recovery period, so the jungle was out of the question. A source has said Halsall was “gutted” he couldn’t be one of the campmates last year but that 2024 could be his year.
The source told The Sun: “I’m a Celebrity producers were also disappointed because they often like to have a Corrie star in the mix, and he is a particularly popular member of the cast.
“Alan and the show bosses are just glad he’s now in a position to be part of this year’s show – though the official line-up is months away from being confirmed.”
Denise Van Outen
Celebrity Gogglebox favourite Denise Van Outen has previously spoken about appearing on I’m a Celeb and said she would be keen to do so around her 50th birthday.
“I will do it at some point,” the star told The Sun. “I think I’m a Celebrity for my 50th birthday would be something nice to do.” Since she celebrated her 50th in May, this could be the year she decides to enter the jungle.
Alex Beresford
Good Morning Britain weather presenter Alex Beresford could be another name from the ITV family to join the 2024 line-up.
Alex, who won Celebrity Race Around the World with dad Noel in 2023, has previously said filming the reality show in the heat Down Under would be “awesome”, The Mirror reported.
“Out of all the shows I would love to do, I would love to do the jungle,” he said.
“The only thing is, I don’t know how good I would be with snakes and spiders but I think it is the show that all of us that work in telly want to do, it is that show isn’t it? I would get stuck in but I think lying down with snakes all around you, ugh!”
The Vivienne
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK‘s first-ever winner has also said she would love to be part of the show.
“Do you know what, I’ve never even thought about it really but what an absolutely amazing opportunity that would be!” The Vivienne said during an appearance on Lorraine.
“I’m petrified of spiders but get me to that jungle, I’d do it! What a great life opportunity that I’m never going to get again… I am all for that!”
Olivia Attwood
I’m a Celebrity fans will remember the Love Island star has already been part of the show’s line-up back in 2022, but she had to pull out early on medical grounds.
She’s since said she would be keen to give it another go after her first stint was “cut short”.
“At some point, I would love to return,” she said during an appearance on Lorraine. “I feel like I owe it to everyone and that there is some unfinished business.”
I’m a Celebrity… is tipped to return later this year on ITV1 and ITVX.
Deputy TV Editor
Previously a TV Reporter at The Mirror, Rebecca can now be found crafting expert analysis of the TV landscape for Digital Spy, when she’s not talking on the BBC or Times Radio about everything from the latest season of Bridgerton or The White Lotus to whatever chaos is unfolding in the various Love Island villas.
When she’s not bingeing a box set, in-the-wild sightings of Rebecca have included stints on the National TV Awards and BAFTAs red carpets, and post-match video explainers of the reality TV we’re all watching.
