Wayne Rooney has confirmed he stopped drinking alcohol as part of a health drive ahead of his appearance on I'm A Celebrity 2026, and has denied using weight-loss medication.
Rooney, who will enter the jungle two years after his wife Colleen finished as runner-up in the 2024 series, told ITV's This Morning: "I feel great. I haven't drank, actually, for a while. I just wanted to feel a bit healthier and be healthier. Obviously, my eating habits are a lot better, and I'm training."
He added: "Everyone's saying I'm on this pen thing, which I'm not. I want to get that out there. I'm working hard to try and look better and be healthier."
Why Rooney quit drinking
The former Manchester United and England player admitted he "got into a bit of a rut" after retiring from football and ended up "drinking a bit too much". He said: "I just thought, you know what, I want to enjoy my time with my kids while they're at this age - and with Colleen as well."
Rooney retired from playing five years ago and has since managed four clubs. He now works as a pundit for the BBC and Sky Sports, and appeared in the 10-episode lifestyle docuseries The Real Rooneys, streaming on Disney+.
Health benefits of quitting alcohol
According to the NHS, people who drink regularly should notice benefits "almost immediately" after quitting, with even occasional drinkers feeling better about themselves. Short-term gains include feeling better in the mornings, having more energy, and better-looking skin.
Long-term, the NHS says lowering alcohol intake can lead to lower blood pressure, a lower risk of stroke, hypertension, cancer and liver disease, lower cholesterol, better mood, memory and sleep, and help with weight management. The NHS advises that both men and women should not consume more than 14 units of alcohol per week, around six medium (175ml) glasses of wine or six pints of 4% beer.
