Claire Sweeney has revealed her biggest fear as she joined the I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! line-up. The former Coronation Street star and Brookside legend is swapping her life in Liverpool for the creepy crawlies of the Australian jungle as part of the hit ITV reality show.
Claire Sweeney's Maggot Fear
After landing in Brisbane Airport, the 55-year-old was hesitant to share her reason for travelling Down Under. She said: "I'm here to get my extensions done." The Walton-born TV star looked glamorous as she wore a matching animal print tracksuit.
When asked about I'm A Celebrity, Claire said: "I am a big fan of the show, I watch the show you are talking about. I regularly watch." But Claire's role in the reality show has now been confirmed.
The series is notorious for getting celebrities to engage in terrifying challenges with insects in the jungle. When asked what she was most afraid of ahead of entering the jungle, Claire recalled a vivid childhood memory.
She said: "Maggots. I am terrified! I remember as a kid my dad was a fisherman and there was a punnet of maggots in the fridge. For some reason, I remember putting my hand in the punnet and I can't even look at them now. It freaks me out."
Wayne Rooney Joins the Jungle
Claire isn't the only Scouser heading down under, with Croxteth-born footballer Wayne Rooney also taking part. The former England captain, 41, is following in the footsteps of Coleen, 40, who reached the final of the ITV show in 2024.
Rooney has also joked that he has plenty of time on his hands because he has not been "great as a manager", following a series of spells in football management. The 41-year-old, who previously managed Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, is looking forward to showing viewers a different side of his personality.
He said: "I hope people will see me for who I am. I like to have fun and I like to think I am actually a fun guy to be around. I do like to mess around a bit and I do talk a lot. People will have their own opinions, but I hope they will see me as a genuine person."
He admitted he is nervous about some of the challenges awaiting him, particularly jumping out of a helicopter and coming face to face with snakes.
He said: "Jumping out of a helicopter is a big fear. But I hope I do that, because then I will have conquered that fear. Snakes? I don't like them, if I'm honest, and I think I am OK with spiders, but they are a lot bigger and scarier there. I will try everything if there is an eating trial. It's about embracing everything."
Advice from Coleen and the Full Line-up
Rooney said Coleen and friends who have previously appeared on the programme have given him tips, although he is determined to make up his own mind about jungle life.
He said: "Yeah, she has told me a bit of advice and I've had friends that have been in it as well. But I suppose you have to experience it yourself, don't you? I'm just looking forward to experiencing it in my own way - I think that's the most important thing."
The rest of this year's line-up includes broadcaster Mariella Frostrup, model Leomie Anderson, comedian Jack Skipper, DJ and Love Island star Chloe Burrows, singer Ricky Wilson, actress Joanna Page, Paralympian Ade Adepitan, YouTuber Sharky and YouTuber Sharky.
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! starts at 9pm on Monday, November 16 on ITV1 and ITVX.
