Production bosses for ITV's hit show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! were reportedly left feeling both 'angry' and 'confused' after model and television personality Christine McGuiness appeared to publicly confirm her participation in the new series, despite her notable absence from the final lineup.
The Awards Night Comments That Caused A Stir
The situation unfolded at the Pride of Britain Awards in October, where the 37-year-old former Celebs Go Dating star was questioned about the possibility of ever entering the jungle. Christine admitted that she is approached 'every year' to join the programme, but had always been deterred by the thought of leaving her three children and the daunting flight to Australia.
However, in a pivotal moment, she confessed to thinking: 'F*** it, why not,' a statement widely interpreted as a confirmation that she had finally signed on the dotted line and would be heading to the Australian jungle for the latest series.
The Reveal That Raised Eyebrows
The confusion escalated this week when ITV officially unveiled the full roster of contestants set to face the Bushtucker Trials. The list featured well-known names including Kelly Brook, Jack Osbourne, and Martin Kemp, but Christine was conspicuously missing from the announcement.
According to a television insider, this discrepancy caused consternation amongst the show's producers. They were 'confused' by her comments, believing it would have been more standard practice for a celebrity in her position to shut down the mounting speculation rather than hinting that she might be the one flying out.
A source told the Daily Mail: 'ITV bosses were definitely confused when they saw the reports suggesting Christine had 'signed up' for I'm A Celeb. Usually, a celebrity would shut down speculation, so Christine appearing to confirm her appearance really infuriated those working behind the scenes.'
Behind Christine's Decision
A source close to Christine offered further context, explaining, 'Every year, lots of names circulate around I'm A Celeb, and Christine is often one of them. The reality is, it would be very difficult for her to be away from her children for that length of time.' The source did, however, leave the door open for a future appearance, adding, 'That said, never say never, maybe one day she'll be up for the challenge.'
Christine herself elaborated on the difficulties, telling the Daily Mail about her sensory issues and fear of creepy crawlies, as well as the challenge of being away from her children and the fact she has never been outside of Europe. Her concluding remark, 'let's see. I think this year most likely I'd be like f*** it, why not,' ultimately lit the fuse for the speculation.
Christine shares three children – twins Penelope and Leo, and daughter Felicity – with her ex-husband, BBC presenter Paddy McGuinness. The former couple, who separated in 2022 after a decade of marriage, continue to co-parent from their family home in Cheshire.
Since her split from Paddy, Christine has identified as a 'free spirit' and has been open about her personal life, including romancing women on E4's Celebs Go Dating and discussing her own diagnoses of autism and ADHD.
An ITV representative and Christine's spokesperson have been approached for comment by the Daily Mail.
