Wayne Rooney has been confirmed in the line-up for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2026, and has revealed that his two eldest sons, including young footballer Kai, are 'worried' about his stint on the ITV show.
The Manchester United legend and former England captain, 41, is following in the footsteps of his wife Coleen, 40, who reached the final of the reality show in 2024, finishing runner-up to McFly star Danny Jones.
Family reactions and Coleen's advice
Asked whether Coleen was proud of him, Wayne 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. "The younger two are very excited," he said. "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!"
Heading Down Under
Wayne was seen at Manchester Airport on Sunday (November 8) as he headed Down Under ahead of I'm A Celeb's return on Monday (November 16). He wasn't giving anything away when he landed at Brisbane Airport on Monday (November 10), admitting to waiting journalists and photographers: "I've never been to Australia."
Other stars heading Down Under for the new series include Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page, TV presenter and former Paralympian Ade Adepitan, Kaiser Chiefs' frontman Ricky Wilson and former Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney.
Jungle fears and hopes
Wayne has 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 footballer-turned-pundit, who previously managed Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, is looking forward to showing viewers a different side of his personality.
"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," he said. "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 also admitted he is nervous about some of the challenges awaiting him, particularly jumping out of a helicopter and coming face to face with snakes. "Jumping out of a helicopter is a big fear. But I hope I do that, because then I will have conquered that fear," he said.
"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."
Wayne also 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. "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."
Missing family but aiming to win
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. "I've never been to Australia," he explained. "I was meant to go once. We were on a tour with Manchester United and I got injured in Thailand, so I flew home."
Despite admitting he will miss Coleen and their children, Rooney is determined to enjoy the experience. "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."
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. "If I'm being honest, it's what I have always wanted in life," he joked. "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 Monday 16th November, 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
