Wayne Rooney has revealed that his wife Coleen is proud of him for joining I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, but their sons are worried he will embarrass them on national television. The former England captain and Everton star, 41, is following in the footsteps of Coleen, 40, who reached the final of the ITV show in 2024.
Family reactions to jungle stint
Asked whether she was proud of him, he said: "She is obviously. I think because she has done it, she knows what it is, so she knows how difficult it is as well. It will be nice for her to sit down and be invested in it."
But the couple's four sons, Kai, Klay, Kit and Cass, have had different reactions to the news. Rooney said: "The younger two are very excited. I think my older two are worried that I will embarrass them. I tend to do that a lot when their friends come round (to our house) and I think they are more worried about me embarrassing them!"
Rooney on fears and challenges
Rooney has also joked that he has plenty of time on his hands because he has not been "great as a manager", following a series of spells in football management. The 41-year-old, who previously managed Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, is looking forward to showing viewers a different side of his personality.
He said: "I hope people will see me for who I am. I like to have fun and I like to think I am actually a fun guy to be around. I do like to mess around a bit and I do talk a lot. People will have their own opinions, but I hope they will see me as a genuine person."
He admitted he is nervous about some of the challenges awaiting him, particularly jumping out of a helicopter and coming face to face with snakes. He said: "Jumping out of a helicopter is a big fear. But I hope I do that, because then I will have conquered that fear. Snakes? I don't like them, if I'm honest, and I think I am OK with spiders, but they are a lot bigger and scarier there. I will try everything if there is an eating trial. It's about embracing everything."
Advice and expectations
Rooney said Coleen and friends who have previously appeared on the programme have given him tips, although he is determined to make up his own mind about jungle life. He said: "Yeah, she has told me a bit of advice and I've had friends that have been in it as well. But I suppose you have to experience it yourself, don't you? I'm just looking forward to experiencing it in my own way - I think that's the most important thing."
The former Manchester United striker said he was particularly looking forward to meeting his fellow campmates. He said: "I am obviously nervous. Because this is new and you don't know what to expect. But I am also very excited. I am most looking forward to meeting the other people. Throughout my career, I've always been in a team and I've enjoyed that environment of being around other people, talking, swapping stories and getting to know people. And if they're up or down, it's about helping them. I hope they will help me as well."
Rooney was unable to travel to Australia to meet Coleen on the famous I'm A Celebrity bridge when she took part two years ago because of work commitments. He said: "I've never been to Australia. I was meant to go once. We were on a tour with Manchester United and I got injured in Thailand, so I flew home."
He also admitted cooking is not his strong point but is happy to help around camp and expects to play practical jokes on the other celebrities. He said: "I do like to play pranks and I'm sure the young ones in there will be involved in that! I feel I can adapt to be with whatever company I'm in. I still do think I'm young and I can still hang with the young ones. But also, I feel I am mature enough to be with the old ones as well."
Despite admitting he will miss Coleen and their children, Rooney is determined to enjoy the experience. He said: "I will miss my family a lot, but I'm trying to keep myself positive in terms of knowing it is only a short period of time. I want to focus on having fun in there."
Competitive edge remains
He believes his former teammates and fellow football pundits will be surprised by his decision to enter the jungle but expects them to enjoy watching him. He said: "I think they will be surprised. And excited. They've spent time around me, so they know what I'm like. It's a good show to watch and I'm sure those close to me will have that excitement of watching me!"
And while he insists the experience matters more than the result, the competitive former footballer admits he would love to be crowned King of the Jungle. He joked: "If I'm being honest, it's what I have always wanted in life. I am joking! But obviously, if I'm doing it, you want to win it. Of course, you do. But if I'm being honest, I'm doing this for the experience. Going on I'm A Celebrity is what I've always wanted to do."
I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! starts at 9pm on Monday, November 16 on ITV1 and ITVX.
