by Earlier this week, I was confirmed as a Celebrity…Find Me Out Here! returning this year.
The announcement sparked a lot of speculation about who might join Ant and Dec in the jungle. Among the names being floated are a social media sensation and a TV presenter who is rumored to be making an unexpected comeback.
I’m A Celebrity first aired on ITV in 2002, with Ant and Dec at the helm since its inception. Tony Blackburn was the winner of the inaugural series, followed by other champions including Kerry Katona, Carol Thatcher, Gino D’Acampo, Matt Willis, Vicky Pattison and Scarlett Moffatt.
When the pandemic forced the show to move to Wales in 2020, Giovanna Fletcher became the first Queen of the Castle, while Danny Miller became King of the Castle in 2021, Chronicle Live reports.
Jill Scott won when I’m A Celeb returned to Australia in 2022, while Sam Thompson claimed last year’s jungle crown. The new series is part of ITV’s autumn/winter schedule, and the list of potential contestants is ever-growing.
Here, we gather the latest rumours….
GK Barry
GK, also known as Grace Keeling, who has already made waves with her UK tour earlier this year, was rumored on social media to be joining the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. However, after her name was conspicuously absent from the confirmation line-up, speculation is rife that she is set for a stint in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity 2024.
An insider linked her to the show, saying: “GK is very popular with the younger generation and is sharp and quick, which made him very popular with other celebrities on throughout the camp.
As well as his successful Saving Grace podcast, GK has featured prominently on Channel 4’s Don’t Look Down for Stand Up To Cancer and appeared as a guest panelist on Loose Women.
Giovanni Pernice
Meanwhile, Giovanni Pernice, who recently left Strictly amid controversy surrounding his ex-celebrity partner Amanda Abbington, is being tipped for a move to ITV’s I’m A Celebrity.
Despite the ongoing scandal, an ITV source said: “As long as the people at the top are satisfied that Giovanni is not a bully and has not behaved inappropriately during Strictly, they will sign him. They’re very aware of the fact that audiences will hear it, it’s a fan favorite, so they’re hoping it will draw in a big audience.”
Giovanni made his Strictly debut in 2015 and reached the final three times before winning the title with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021.
Phillip Schofield
The presenter was first linked to I’m A Celeb last year, just months after his dramatic exit from This Morning and ITV. Now, Phillip is being asked to come back on I’m A Celebrity 2024.
Ant and Dec, the show’s hosts and Phillip’s close friends, are believed to be instrumental in getting him on board. An insider told The Mirror that Phillip could restore his reputation by heading Down Under, where he will face questions from his co-stars about his business and his results.
Phillip left This Morning and was later dropped by ITV after admitting he had an “illegal but illegal” relationship with a much younger member of staff on the daytime programme.
Tommy Fury
This rumor is especially timely, given the recent shock split between Tommy and his friend Molly Mae Hague. The boxer has been linked to I’m A Celebrity a number of times since making his TV debut on Love Island in 2019.
A spokesperson for Ladbrokes suggested that Tommy could be headed for the jungle, saying: “There will certainly be reality TV bosses queuing up to take Molly-Mae or Tommy after their shock split, and there is a chance that the latter could one being attached to the jungle. later this year.”
Helen Worth
Another TV star who was first involved with Strictly this year, Helen is to leave her long-running role as Gail Platt in Coronation Street. Soap bosses are keeping mum on the story, but it is expected to emerge before Christmas, with scenes already filmed.
This means Helen would be available if she wanted to take a trip Down Under.
Tom Daley
Olympic gold medal swimmer Tom Dean has been enlisted by Strictly Come Dancing bosses this year and diver Tom Daley, who finished his career at the Paris 2024 games, is now being turned to trade the pool for the jungle camp.
He is at 3/1 to appear on I’m A Celebrity by the end of the year, having already gained ITV reality TV experience with his own show Splash in 2013 and 14, where stars such as Gemma Collins and Eddie The Eagle how to dive.
I’m A Celebrity…Get Outta Here! starting back in November.
