Comedian and television icon Ruby Wax has entered the Australian jungle as a contestant on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2025, marking the latest chapter in a showbusiness career that has spanned over four decades.
From Sitcoms to the Spotlight: A Storied Career
Born in Evanston, Illinois on April 19, 1953, the 72-year-old star first became a household name in the UK during the 1980s. She rose to prominence in the mid-80s British sitcom Girls on Top, which paved the way for her own chat show, Don't Miss Wax.
The 1990s saw her fame skyrocket with Ruby Wax Meets, where she conducted memorable interviews with global superstars including Madonna, Pamela Anderson, and Imelda Marcos. Her influence extended behind the scenes as a script editor and performer on the iconic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.
Beyond entertainment, Ruby has become a prominent mental health advocate, speaking openly about her personal experiences and helping to destigmatise the conversation around psychological wellbeing.
A Showbiz Family: The Next Generation
Ruby's personal life is deeply intertwined with the industry. She married film and TV producer Ed Bye in 1988, her third husband after previous marriages to Andrew Porter and Trevor Walton. Ed is renowned for his work on Absolutely Fabulous, French & Saunders, and Red Dwarf.
The couple share three children: son Max, born in 1988, and daughters Madeleine (born 1990) and Marina (born 1993). While Max has chosen a life away from the spotlight as a coder, his sisters have enthusiastically followed their parents into showbusiness.
Madeleine and Marina have established themselves as a comedy double act, hosting their own podcast and performing together at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017. Marina has built an acting career with roles in Prime Video's The Girlfriend, Hulu's We Were The Lucky Ones, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and Wonka.
Meanwhile, Madeleine has appeared in films including A Caribbean Dream, How to Talk to Girls at Parties, and Breathe. The sisters share a unique creative synergy, with Marina explaining to The Guardian in 2020: "When you've lived with someone all your life and come out of the same womb, you speak the same language. You understand each other's rhythms, each other's humour."
Embracing the Jungle Challenge
Speaking about her decision to join I'm A Celebrity, Ruby revealed she had been offered the opportunity previously but declined until now. "I was offered the chance to take part a long time ago and I thought, 'No, I could never do that,' but now it's the right time," she said. "I like doing adventurous things."
She expressed hope that the experience would show a different side of her personality to the public. "It will be nice for people to get to know the real me because you can't hide in the jungle," Ruby explained. "In my personas before, I looked quite aggressive and pushy, and I think it was just my nerves. I am not aggressive – it's the way I talk."
As Ruby Wax faces her latest challenge in the Australian outback, she brings with her a rich legacy of entertainment and a family that continues to make its mark on the showbusiness world she helped conquer.
