Paralympian Ade Adepitan is reportedly in advanced talks to join I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here, potentially becoming the first wheelchair user to enter the jungle. The 53-year-old TV presenter is said to be in discussions with show bosses, who are working to adapt the camp to accommodate him.
Historic First for the Show
Ade contracted polio as a child, which damaged his legs and led to him using a wheelchair. He played wheelchair basketball at the 2004 Summer Paralympics and later moved into television presenting. A source told The Sun: 'Ade has been in talks with I’m A Celebrity, who are really keen to make it work. Producers are currently looking at ways to adapt the camp to make it work for Ade.'
'They think his infectious larger-than-life personality would make him a perfect campmate for the new series.'
Polio Advocacy and Health
Ade has been open about his health, supporting an NHS polio booster vaccination drive in London. He contracted polio at 15 months old, permanently losing the use of both legs. Urging parents to vaccinate their children, he said: 'Polio can have devastating consequences, which I know all too well. As a small child I contracted polio, I quickly became very unwell, and as a result of the disease taking over my nervous system, I permanently lost the use of my legs.'
'It was life-changing. But polio can be completely prevented through vaccination, which is why it is so important that parents book in to get their children a booster jab at their GP or nearest vaccination site as soon as possible.' He added: 'Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your children against the disease. To put it simply, if I had been vaccinated when I was exposed to polio, I would not be in a wheelchair now.'
Television Career and Personal Life
Ade appeared on Beyond Boundaries in 2005, had a minor role in EastEnders, and has presented coverage for The Invictus Games and guest-hosted The One Show. He also took part in Children In Need and fronted the 2023 documentary Whites Only: Ade's Extremist Adventure for Channel 4. He has been married to singer/songwriter Linda Harrison, known as Elle Exxe, since 2018, and they have two children: Bolla, five, and Zella, 16 months.
Speaking to The Times about meeting his wife, he said: 'I first met Linda at the National TV Awards at the O2. I spotted her in the corner of the room — she had this amazing smile and a beautiful aura, so I made a beeline.' He added that he was 45 minutes late to their first dinner date, but she waited, and he was taken aback by how 'cute and cool' she was. The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.
