Wayne Rooney is reportedly commanding an £800,000 fee to appear on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, with fans stunned by the alleged pay gap between the former England captain and the rest of the 2026 cast.
The show returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Monday, 16 November, a day later than its usual Sunday launch because of ITV's live coverage of England's UEFA Nations League clash against Spain.
Rooney is among the names tipped to join the camp this year, alongside Paralympian Ade Adepitan MBE, Gavin & Stacey actress Joanna Page, comedian Leigh Francis and social media star Jack Skipper. Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will host the main show live.
Reported fees across the cast
Claims about each celebrity's payment have surfaced online, with a huge gap in the amounts. Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson is reportedly getting £175,000, while Joanna Page, Leigh Francis and Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu are all said to be earning £150,000.
Ade, TV star Claire Sweeney and journalist Mariella Frostrup will allegedly take home £100,000 each. Love Island personality Chloe Burrows is set to pocket £75,000, alongside model Leomie Anderson and YouTuber Sharky. The smallest payment is reportedly £50,000 for Jack Skipper.
Fans react to the pay gap
The amounts went viral after a post shared on X by television account Super TV, which racked up 1.3 million views. One user wrote: "If these are true, then Rooney's agent needs to be given a massive raise! How is Wayne allegedly getting more than the next FIVE earners added together?!"
Super TV replied: "Because it's Wayne Rooney?" Another added: "With the greatest respect to the rest of them Wayne Rooney is by far the biggest celebrity." A third chimed in: "Rooney absolutely hoovering the budget up."
Numerous people also voiced sympathy for Jack Skipper over his alleged lowest payment, with some saying they would 'find it funny' if he eventually wins the programme despite earning the least.
Coleen's 2024 fee
Rooney's alleged fee remains lower than what his wife Coleen Rooney received to feature on the show in 2024. It's claimed Coleen secured £1.5 million for her participation, finishing runner-up after McFly star Danny Jones was crowned winner.
ITV and a spokesperson for Wayne Rooney have been approached for a statement. I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! starts on Monday, 16 November 2026 at 9pm on ITV.
