Wayne Rooney is among the celebrities heading to Australia for the upcoming series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, which returns to ITV on Monday, November 16. The former Everton forward has admitted he is nervous about some of the challenges awaiting him in the jungle.
Rooney's Jungle Fears
Speaking to The Mirror, the 41-year-old former England captain said: "Jumping out of a helicopter is a big fear. But I hope I do that, because then I will have conquered that fear." He also confessed: "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."
Celebrities have been spotted at Brisbane Airport in Australia this week, with Rooney reportedly the first to arrive. This is his first visit to Australia, despite a football career that has taken him across the globe. He explained: "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."
Following Coleen's Footsteps
Rooney is following his wife Coleen, who finished as runner-up on the show in 2024. He said Coleen and friends who have previously appeared have given him tips, but he wants to enjoy his own experience and not let others' experiences influence him too much.
Coleen has reportedly promised to get her own back on her husband. During her stint, Rooney urged his followers to vote for her to take part in the Bushtucker trials. An insider said: "They are all rooting for Wayne to do as many as possible - it's only right, after they all voted for her. She is laughing how she wants her revenge, and she definitely means business."
The insider added: "Wayne has a lot to live up to Coleen's amazing performance in the jungle two years ago but he is determined to give it a good go. She was a huge influence in him deciding to sign on the dotted line." Back then, Rooney had pleaded with his followers: "Me and the boys would love to see her doing a trial and we know she'd want to put herself to the test."
