The new series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here begins on Monday with a cast that includes Wayne Rooney, a Gavin & Stacey star and a Paralympian, and Mirror readers have already made their pick for the winner.
According to insiders, this year's campmates arrive well equipped with survival skills picked up from previous television shows and travels. Paralympian Ade Adepitan took part in BBC Two's Beyond Boundaries in 2005, spending four weeks trekking 220 miles through the Nicaraguan jungle in a customised wheelchair. Mariella Frostrup has hiked in the foothills of Mount Everest and explored remote parts of South America as a hobby.
A Cast With Real Survival Credentials
YouTube star Sharky has already completed a 24-hour survival challenge in the Australian wilderness, while model Leomie Anderson experienced life in the Costa Rican jungle during Netflix's Celebrity Bear Hunt. Even Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu has spent time in the freezing Chilean Andes during Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
A show insider said: “The show can be very tough at times especially when the weather turns and hunger kicks in but this year’s jungle intake are much more hardy than usual and should be able to take being in the wilderness in their stride.
“The casting team couldn’t believe it when the extent of the contestants’ experience became clear - it should, in theory, be a walk in the park for some of them but we will have to wait and see.”
Richard Arnold Backs Joanna Page
Despite the skills of these contestants, some have guessed that Gavin & Stacey actress Joanna Page will walk away a winner. The star touched down in Australia earlier this week, dressed in leopard print trousers.
Speaking on Wednesday's episode of Good Morning Britain, entertainment correspondent Richard Arnold wasted no time in tipping Joanna for victory, citing her “chattiness” and “warming personality”. Richard told GMB hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid: “Joanna Page has absolutely what it takes to be Queen.”
He added: “She loves a chatter, she loves a natter, and if you've listened to her podcast, you know that. She's so warm, she's the every woman.”
Other Campmates in the Running
Richard went on to say: “Joanna Page has also said in a pre-interview she wants people to know the real Joanna, and to make her children proud. I think Joanna has already opened a book quite far, as I say, on her podcast, but she is so adorable. So I think I've probably staked my claim already; I'm probably getting in early for her to be queen of the jungle.”
Richard also added that Ricky Wilson, of the Kaiser Chiefs, was an “every man” who would be able to get the jobs done that needed doing, while footballer Wayne had “some skin in the game”. He said Claire Sweeney was likely to be “singing around” as she had “a gob on her, and it's a lovely one”.
