Rio and Kate Ferdinand are reportedly in line to make history by becoming the first married couple to take part in a new I'm A Celebrity spin-off. The couple, who tied the knot in 2019 after meeting three years prior in Dubai, are said to be in the final stages of signing up for I'm A Celebrity: Wild Frontier, which is expected to film in Canada next month.
First Married Couple in Franchise History
If the deal goes ahead, the duo will become the first husband-and-wife pairing to compete together in the franchise's history. A source told The Sun: 'Bosses are overjoyed to have landed the Ferdinands. It's a real coup for the show.'
'They have brilliant chemistry and are great fun. It will be the first time viewers have really seen Rio away from football chat too.'
Spin-off Details and Rumoured Fee
According to the insider, ITV is still said to be in talks with other famous faces ahead of filming and claimed the series is shaping up to be a 'real social media talker'. Swapping the Australian jungle for the Canadian wilderness, the spin-off series will see contestants battle it out in Bushtucker trials and challenges under the watch of hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.
Wild Frontier is also rumoured to be airing next year to mark 25 years of I'm A Celebrity since it first launched in 2002. If Kate and Rio are confirmed, Kate, who used to feature on The Only Way Is Essex, will be making her return to reality TV. For Rio, however, who since retiring from professional football has gone into football punditry, it would mark his biggest foray into the TV and entertainment space.
Early reports suggest that the couple's fee could eclipse the £100,000 deals that were said to be agreed with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden and Boyzone star Keith Duffy, who are also rumoured to be joining the cast. However, ITV has not yet confirmed who will be taking part.
Context and Recent Controversy
This comes after ITV's hugely controversial all-star series in South Africa that saw explosive feuds and accusations of bullying. Prior to Adam Thomas winning the series, he was seen unloading a furious rant on Jimmy Bullard. Boxer David Haye then claimed that ITV censored the worst of his speech to cast him as a victim, which ITV strongly denied.
