Wayne Rooney has joined the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! line-up, following in the footsteps of his wife Coleen after her successful stint on the ITV show. The former Manchester United and England footballer, 40, is swapping the pitch for the Australian jungle, where he will be hoping to impress his four sons by taking on the notorious Bushtucker Trials.
Following Coleen's Success
Wayne is also expected to be keen to match Coleen's success after she finished as runner-up when she appeared on the show in 2024, winning over viewers with her down-to-earth personality and determination.
Coleen reportedly received a history-making fee of at least £1.5million to enter the jungle, matching or exceeding the previous record set by Nigel Farage in 2023. Wayne's own I'm A Celebrity pay packet has not yet been revealed, but he has been tipped as the show's biggest signing.
Family Support in Australia
The couple have been together since they were children and married for 18 years. Coleen is expected to travel to Australia to support her husband, alongside their three youngest sons, Klay, 13, Kit, ten, and eight-year-old Cass. Their eldest son, Kai, 16, may remain in the UK because of his football commitments after signing a scholarship with Manchester United earlier this summer.
Wayne previously made no secret of his admiration for the show while Coleen was in camp alongside stars including McFly singer Danny Jones and former Love Islander Maura Higgins. He publicly declared himself proud of his wife and encouraged viewers to vote for her to take on the trials. The pair had even joked about Wayne having a go himself after seeing how much Coleen enjoyed the experience.
Personality and New Projects
Coleen has also suggested her husband has the right personality for the jungle, describing him as funny and laid-back, although she admitted his impatience could prove a challenge. She said: “Wayne’s funny and laid-back. He can be a charmer, but can have a short temper.” When asked what gets on his nerves, she added: “He can be impatient, waiting around for things.” Wayne disagreed with her assessment, joking that he was always ready early when they had somewhere to be.
The football legend has recently been enjoying a busy spell away from the pitch, with his new Disney+ docuseries The Real Rooneys offering viewers a glimpse into family life with Coleen. He has also landed a new BBC game show, Can You Beat Wayne Rooney?, hosted by comedian Alex Brooker, which will see him take on famous faces in tests of football knowledge. Speaking about the competition, Wayne admitted: “Anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive. Every guest will turn up thinking they can beat me and, honestly, I don't like losing.”
