Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page has revealed that her four children are excited to see her on I'm A Celebrity, but mainly because they are hoping to get autographs from hosts Ant and Dec. The ITV jungle show has returned with a lineup of famous faces, including football legend Wayne Rooney. Joanna has left her four kids behind to experience the jungle first hand, and while most children might be eager to watch their mum take on the trials, hers are excited for a different reason.
Kids' initial worries and excitement
"They can’t quite believe that I'm doing it, because we are huge fans of the show. But at first, they were a bit worried, saying, 'Oh my gosh, mummy, you won't be able to do the trials.' I assured them I would be ok and I’m hoping I will make them proud," she said.
"I know they’re going to be tuning in every night. They are also very excited, because they want me to get Ant & Dec’s autographs! I am just an inroad to get them to Ant & Dec!"
Campmates share their jungle expectations
For fellow campmate and Love Island star Chloe Burrows, the jungle will be worlds away from her reality TV past. Asked if she might take a dip in the infamous jungle shower, she said: "No, I'm done being in a bikini. I am so looking forward to this. It’s going to be like a digital detox and I think I’m going to come out zen! I'm so excited to do a show where it's just about coming together, getting through it and making loads of friends. No dating, no bikinis - just massive rats, spiders, and snakes!"
Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson is good friends with Tony Blackburn, who won the first series, and said the radio star was instrumental in him finally signing up for the show. "Everyone I know has always said it has been a life changing and brilliant experience. I am good friends with Tony Blackburn (who won the first series) and he kept telling me I should do it," he said.
History makers and first-timers
TV star Ade Adepitan has confessed he feels slightly overwhelmed at making history as the first wheelchair user on the show. "For me, this is a moment in time. Even if I go out in the first week, I will always be remembered as the person in a wheelchair. I am slightly overwhelmed. It’s never been done before, and it never crossed my mind I would be the first," he said.
Content creator and Beta Squad star Sharky is ready to take on the jungle. Despite him not necessarily being known by the wider audience, he has a huge following online - but he knows his fellow YouTube stars will be calling everyone to vote for him. "They will be leading the charge online. They are all really excited for me to go on this show. But I am actually looking forward to doing a trial. They are the funniest moments on the programme," he shared.
He's hoping to emulate the success of last year's winner Angry Ginge. He said: "It is big boots to follow. But Ginge is a great guy and he was made for something like this. I am not surprised he won, but I don't feel any pressure. I want to do my own thing and be myself."
Facing fears and new challenges
Big Brother star and TV presenter AJ Odudu - who is heading to the jungle just days after ITV reality show Big Brother ended - is excited about having the tables turned on her for once. "It is definitely going to be my scariest TV project I’ve ever taken on. It also feels quite weird the tables have turned on me. One minute I’m watching all the housemates and people unravel, now I’m the one out of my comfort zone!" she said.
Whilst most celebrities would want to avoid the eating trials, stand-up comedian Jack Skipper is quite literally chomping at the bit! He said: "I would most like to do the eating trial. I am never going to have another opportunity to eat testicles, so let’s do it!"
Model Leomie Anderson isn't looking forward to camping after lasting just one day at Glastonbury. "I went to Glastonbury once and I was going to stay there for five days. After day one, I had to drop out. It rained so much, the water spoiled my glamping tent!" she said. However, she has been preparing for the show in a unique way - by going skydiving. She said: "I have done some indoor skydiving just in case. You never know what is going to happen. Mind you, it didn’t go very well!"
Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney said she signed up to the show after some encouragement from fellow soap star Alan Halsall, who plays her on-screen son Tyrone. A super fan of the show, Claire has wanted to do it for years. "I've got loads of mates who have done it before. Alan said it was one of the best things he’d ever done," she said.
Loose Women star and journalist Mariella Frostrup wants to fly the flag for the older women by facing her fears and signing up for the show - and feels now is finally the right time. "A good 50% of the reason that I am doing this is I am constantly telling other women we should grab our chances. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be written off at a certain age," she said. "So, I think this is me having a taste of my own medicine! I am putting myself through something I am frightened of. I have been wary in the past but this time is right. I want to test myself."
