The 80s music star is in ‘advanced talks’ about entering the jungle
Rumoured I’m A Celebrity contestants for this year’s series(Image: ITV )
Anticipation is building for the return of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and rumours are swirling about which famous faces will swap their home comforts for the Australian jungle this year. A Scouse media personality, a boxing social media star and a 1980s music icon are reportedly in talks for joining the cast.
The ITV show, fronted by Ant and Dec since its debut in 2002, has become a staple of the festive season. With Strictly Come Dancing already dominating Saturday nights, it won’t be long before viewers are treated to the creepy crawlies of the jungle once again.
Musician Martin Kemp is reportedly in talks for this year’s series. The Spandau Ballet star and former EastEnders actor, 64, is said to be close to signing a deal to take on the creepy crawlies in the Australian jungle.
Martin Kemp and Roman Kemp(Image: Antony Jones/Getty Images for Tu at Sainsbury’s )
A source told The Mirror: “Martin is a household name having been top of the hit parade with Spandau Ballet in the 80s and then in EastEnders in the early 2000s – he’s a great signing and everyone is very excited at the prospect of getting him Down Under.”
He wouldn’t be the first member of the famous family to head into the jungle. His son, Roman Kemp, 32, competed back in 2019, and later backed his dad to follow in his footsteps.
Roman told The Mirror in 2022: “Listen, I would do anything to see my dad eat llama anus. I’ll tell you why, because when I got nominated the first time, it was the eating trial.
“When you’re in there, you get so paranoid about why people are voting for you, because you’re like ‘am I coming across as a d*** and people want to see me suffer.
“When I got out, I was looking through some of the headlines, and it turns out the only reason I got voted to do that trial at the beginning was because my dad tweeted: ‘Let’s get my son to eat kangaroo anus’. So, my God, I’m very up for him going in.”
Martin’s former Spandau bandmate, Tony Hadley, 65, also competed on the reality series back in 2015, finishing in sixth place.
Other stars rumoured to take part in this year’s I’m A Celebrity include:
Christine McGuinness
Model and TV personality Christine McGuinness has fuelled rumours of an appearance after revealing she’s feeling more adventurous this year.
Speaking at the Pride of Britain Awards, she told the Daily Mail: “In the past I was never away from my children; I’d be frightened of the creepy crawlies; I have sensory issues.
“I have never been outside Europe so flying over there would be quite a challenge, but I’ve got a bit of ‘f*** it’.”
“Trying to get over to the jungle might be a bit of a mission, but this year is the year I have been most like ‘f*** it, why not?’”
Lisa Riley
Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has long been on producers’ wish lists – and she’s confirmed the offers keep coming.
She told the Daily Star in 2023: “They ask me every year. They dangle that big carrot every year. I’ve always said ‘no’, but the older I get… I’m 47. I always go, ‘Corr, I’m getting old.’
“But in my head I always feel like I’m 19, I’m never going to change who I am. But maybe if there was a milestone like my 50th. Then maybe.
She added: “But I think I’d be quite boring, because I think I could cope. If you ask anyone at Emmerdale, I’m a coper. I don’t know if that’s good telly.
“I’d be my usual confident self. I’d be doing dance routines around the fire. I think if you put me in a tank of cockroaches, I could probably do that OK.
“I don’t know, but you never know, but I’m certainly not going in this year, that’s for a fact!”
Jools Oliver
While celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has ruled himself out of the jungle, he’s thrown his wife Jools’ name into the mix. During an Instagram Live with Ant and Dec, Jamie said: “I think it’s an amazing show, but honestly, you couldn’t give me enough olive oil in the world to make me eat a witchetty grub or a kangaroo’s a***, no way.
“But what I can give you is my wife, Jools; she would love to be on the show. Go on, Jools.”
Ant replied: “We would take Jools.”
Dec added: “Jools Oliver, first booking for 2025. Thanks, Jools, see you in Australia.”
Denise Van Outen
Presenter and performer Denise Van Outen is also being tipped for a stint in the jungle.
A spokesperson for Ladbrokes told Heart Radio: “It looks like the stars have finally aligned to give us Denise van Outback in 2025.
“With a new album in the autumn and a tour booked for the spring, there’s a glaring hole in her calendar that she could fill with a Bushtucker Trial or two.”
Tommy Fury
Love Island star and boxer Tommy Fury could also be heading Down Under. After reportedly turning down the show last year, he’s once again rumoured to be in the mix.
He previously told The Mirror: “I’m a Celeb is an amazing show and it’s something I want to do in the future.
“At the end of the day I am what I am, I’m a fighter and I’ve been doing it since I was a kid.”
The bookies’ favourites
William Hill has released its early odds for the 2025 line-up, with Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps actor Will Mellor leading the pack at 1/2. Jools Oliver follows closely at 4/6.
Sports stars are also well-represented, with Peter Crouch and Ally McCoist both at 6/4, and Gary Lineker (4/1) just ahead of Micah Richards (5/1).
Boxer Tommy Fury and darts legend Phil Taylor are both priced at 2/1.
TV favourites Patsy Palmer and Lisa Riley sit at 6/4, while Denise Van Outen and Abbey Clancy are 5/1.
Long shots include Jeremy Clarkson at 3/1, Olivia Attwood at 7/2, and even former Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 16/1.
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “Our market to appear on I’m A Celebrity 2025 has been released, with Will Mellor (1/2) and Jools Oliver (4/6) topping the list in the early stages, followed closely by Aitch, who is even money.
“Kate Cassidy (5/4) and Patsy Palmer (6/4) are also favoured to appear on the show.
“Football is unsurprisingly well represented, with Peter Crouch and Ally McCoist at 6/4, followed by Gary Lineker (4/1) and Micah Richards (5/1).
“The sporting names continue with Phil Taylor and Tommy Fury, both priced 2/1 to enter the jungle. There’s been plenty of discussion around Jeremy Clarkson’s next move – and 3/1 says it’ll be Down Under.
“Other household favourites like Olivia Attwood (7/2), Denise van Outen and Abbey Clancy (both 5/1) are on the cards to appear on the show.
“Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is deemed less likely to sign up for the series but remains a possibility at 16/1.”
Will Mellor 1/2Jools Oliver 4/6Aitch EVSKate Cassidy 5/4Patsy Palmer 6/4Lisa Riley 6/4Peter Crouch 6/4Ally McCoist 6/4Tommy Fury 2/1Phil Taylor 2/1