The line-up for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here 2021 has officially been revealed, with the stars revealing what they’re most terrified about facing.
Stars including Richard Madeley, Louise Minchin, and Arlene Phillips are headed to Gwrych Castle in Wales as the 21st series of the beloved reality show kicks off.
Ant and Dec are back to host, and viewers will once again see the celebrities undertake grueling trials and challenges.
Meanwhile, one will eventually follow in the footsteps of last year’s champion Giovanna Fletcher to be crowned King or Queen of the Castle.
Currently in quarantine, the celebs are getting themselves prepped for their stint away from home – and have opened up about what’s to come.
Richard Madeley
Hot off his guest-hosting slot on Good Morning Britain, 65-year-old Richard is heading into the castle.
His wife, fellow presenter Judy Finnigan, is a ‘huge fan’ of I’m A Celeb so she will no doubt be glued to this series even more than normal.
He’s got a very specific fear, as he mentioned wanting to avoid ‘walking across a plank very high up’ and it seems he’s not too bothered about the public perception of him, adding: ‘I don’t care what people think.’
‘Up until now, I’ve always been perfectly happy watching as a viewer but recently, I realised I’m A Celebrity is no longer just a TV programme,’ he said. ‘It’s become part of the fabric of British life and part of the countdown to Christmas. It suddenly hit me that everyone talks about it the next day and I suddenly wondered what it would be like to be there rather than watching. I realised the time had come to experience it.
‘Judy and I talked about it and we realised we couldn’t find a reason for me not to do it. I slept on the offer and when I woke up the next day, I found myself feeling really excited that I was going to say yes.’
Richard, who said he’s used to lots of animals due to spending many years on his grandparents’ farm, says he ‘really hopes’ he gets voted for the trials.
‘The thing about this programme is you mustn’t go into it if you take yourself remotely seriously,’ he added. ‘I don’t and I am thoroughly looking forward to being covered in god knows what! You have to be prepared for people to laugh and I see this as a bl**dy great romp of fun!’
He said he doesn’t want to be voted out first purely because he wants to experience everything, but added: ‘I certainly don’t worry about what people think. If you are in the public eye and you start worrying about how people will see you, you end up going mad!’
Louise Minchin
Former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise left the show in September after 20 years on screen and it looks like she’s found another challenge to fill the gap.
She’s not slowing down as she’s headed straight to the castle to face her biggest fears, which include ‘the idea of small, enclosed spaces with cockroaches and spiders.’
Louise, 53, is ready to show the fun side of her, but admitted it will be ‘scary and daunting.’
‘I didn’t tell Dan Walker I was doing I’m A Celebrity before coming to Wales but I don’t think he will be surprised!’ she revealed. ‘He knows me well and I think he will be both excited and nervous for me. I have been voting for him on Strictly so fingers crossed he will vote for me a lot.’
Reflecting on how it will feel to not know what is going on in the world, she added: ‘I have spent the last 20 years immersed in news every single day. For me to not know what is going on in the news is going to be extraordinary. Not having access to the phone and not constantly scrolling, looking at everything is a difficult thing to let go of but I am also actually looking forward to it.’
Louise, who said she hates conflict, went on to say: ‘My family are very worried I will scream a lot and make a terrible fuss. But they are also really excited because they know how much I love challenging myself.’
Dame Arlene Phillips
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Arlene, 78, is set to be the oldest contestant to take part in the show so far, beating Harry Redknapp who was 77 when he was in it.
However, the thought doesn’t bother her, as she added: ‘I am always the oldest and so I am used to it.’
She’s scared of spiders but hopes that taking on the trials will help her face up to her fears.
Speaking about Strictly star and friend Craig Revel Horwood’s reaction, she said: ‘Craig will say “Darling, are you mad?!” I still can’t believe I am doing it either but I love and admire everybody who has done the show, I admire their bravery and I have spoken to so many people who have done it. Everyone has loved the experience and told me how it has added something new to their lives and that is why I have said yes this year after being approached before.’
She went on to say: ‘I think people don’t see the motherly side of me. I don’t think people know me and the real me is very different – I am very caring and I love that caring side of my life. I give myself so completely.
‘I would like to take on the mum role in the Castle. Everyone is going to be younger and if anyone wants to talk to someone or share things with them, then they can with me.’
Matty Lee
Olympic gold medallist Matty Lee was one of the stars of the summer after his successful stint at the Tokyo games with Tom Daley.
His biggest fear in the castle is rats, and is excited for viewers to get to know him better.
The diver, 23, revealed that his pal Tom has been on hand for advice whenever he needs him – and going into the castle was no different, as he recalled: ‘When I told Tom, he was in shock too! He is so excited for me and he has always been so supportive and helped me a lot over the past three years. He gives me advice about anything whether it is relationships or whatever – I always ask Tom.’
‘Everyone knows who Tom Daley is but people don’t necessarily know who I am,’ he explained. ‘But without each other, we would never have achieved what we have achieved. He always gives me credit where it is due and I also do too. He is really happy for me to grow as an individual and I think it is a chance for people to get to know me better.’
Matty, who said he’s excited to get stuck into the trials, said: ‘I trained for the Olympics and knew what to expect. I haven’t eaten animal do da before and so it is going to be tough! I am excited for it all though and doing this programme really is the cherry on the cake.’
Frankie Bridge
Former The Saturdays star Frankie is set to follow in husband Wayne Bridge’s footsteps by taking part in I’m A Celebrity. Wayne finished fifth on the show in 2016 – so will she be able to do better on this year’s series? Only time will tell.
The star, 32, is most scared of spiders, rats, and confined spaces, and is determined to muck in with all the chores.
‘I think people will be surprised to see me doing I’m A Celebrity and I am scared of most things, but I really want to push myself,” Frankie said. ‘I’m scared of rats, I am a fussy eater and I have a bit of a phobia of ketchup, so a pint of penis terrifies me!
‘Any of the eating challenges will be my idea of hell. I also hate spiders in my own home, being trapped in small spaces is a big thing for me and pretty much all of that is likely to happen which makes me go, “Why the hell are you doing it?” And so that is exactly why I am doing it!’
Although she’s currently the favourite to be crowned Queen of the Castle, she hasn’t thought about how it would feel to win the series.
‘I haven’t thought that far but it would be amazing if I were to win,’ she said. ‘I would love to get to the final to do the cyclone trial. And if I am going to be away from the kids and eat disgusting things, I want it to be worth it. People assume that if you are in a pop group you lead a really glamorous lifestyle and that I
wouldn’t want to get stuck in, but I know I will give everything a go.’
Naughty Boy
Music producer Naughty Boy, whose real name is Shahid Khan, had been due to enter the castle last year but was forced to pull out at the last minute. He was replaced by eventual runner-up DJ Jordan North, but is said to be looking forward to challenging himself this year instead.
The 36-year-old is terrified of confined spaces but wants to face up to his fears and give the trials a go.
Naughty Boy said: ‘I am most looking forward to learning about myself. I don’t know what people in the music industry will think about me being in the Castle but having a break from everything is something I think everyone should have and do once a year. I love my friends and family, but I think it is good to have a break and time out.’
The producer, who wants to take on the role of castle chef, is also aiming to raise awareness about dementia, which his mum was diagnosed with.
‘I think it is important for people like myself to create awareness about it,’ he said. ‘Dementia UK needs constant funding, and I am going to miss Mum the most whilst I am away in the Castle. I live with Mum, and I am used to seeing her all the time. Mum hasn’t been very well, and it is going to be difficult for me being away. But that said, I think the break will be good for both of us.’
Kadeena Cox
Sports star Kadeena Cox has competed as both a Paralympian and an able-bodied athlete and has a bunch of medals to her name. The cyclist and track and field athlete will have a sporting advantage over most of the other contestants, and her competitive nature has served her well on previous reality shows too.
There’s plenty she’s scared of (snakes, rats, spiders, heights) but is excited at the thought of a disabled person winning the show.
‘Going on I’m A Celebrity is something so different for me and it’s completely out of my comfort zone,’ Kadeena, 30, explained. ‘As a Paralympian, you are always trying to get that one per cent extra all the time and defending my title earlier this year in Tokyo was the hardest thing I have ever had to do but I think going into the Castle is going to be far harder mentally.
‘I am scared of spiders, I don’t like rats, I don’t like snakes, and I don’t like heights. But I am hoping the athlete in me will want to do it for the team and just get through that tough moment. I will scream afterwards!’
She added: ‘If I were to win I’m A Celebrity as a disabled person and show that I can overcome things, then I think that would be a great thing to show that people with all disabilities can do things.’
Danny Miller
Emmerdale’s Danny Miller might be better known as Aaron Dingle, but he’s going to have a whole different challenge to take on in the castle.
He’s absolutely dreading the eating trials, but is keen to show everyone what he’s like in real life.
It was a big decision for him and his fiancee Steph, with Danny, 30, revealing: ‘We were due to start IVF earlier this year and that would have meant the baby would have been due next March, so it wouldn’t have mattered.
‘But then a miracle happened and Steph fell pregnant (without IVF). I knew my baby would only be about a month old when I went into the Castle. I was worried about leaving the baby with Steph on her own but she is a midwife and I know our baby will be in perfect hands. She has been incredibly supportive and she knows what a great opportunity this is to take part.
‘And so after lots of discussions, I’ve said yes! I’m A Celebrity is the biggest show in the country and I want to show people what I am like as Danny rather than as Aaron. It will be nice for people to see me not crying but having a laugh! I am a fun guy at home and I’ve been known as Aaron now for 13 years – it’s good to step outside your comfort zone.’
Snoochie Shy
Radio 1 Extra DJ Snoochie, real name Cheyenne Davide, is married to rapper Michael Dapaah aka Big Shaq, and has been on the air for three years.
Snoochie’s got plenty of phobias as she heads into the castle, saying she fears ‘bugs, heights and I’m claustrophobic,’ and declared that she’s going to teach everyone in the castle how to twerk. We cannot wait for Richard Madeley to get involved.
She says the one trial she fears the most is anything involving a coffin and creepy crawlies. ‘That trial is my big fear,’ Snoochie, 29, added. ‘I’ve seen bugs go up people’s noses before and I am scared bugs are going to go up my private parts. But I am excited about taking part and as soon as they asked me to come on the show, I said yes.’
Meanwhile, she’s also nervous about going without makeup in the castle as she has a birthmark on her cheek which she opened up about being insecure about.
‘I am a little bit nervous about it,’ she admitted. ‘People other than my family don’t know I have a birthmark on the right side of my cheek and so it will be the first time I am letting people know I have one. It has been an insecurity of mine in the past but I am also excited to face up to it.’
David Ginola
French footballing legend David Ginola is set to step into the castle five years after suffering a cardiac arrest and falling into a coma. The former Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle, Tottenham and Aston Villa player collapsed during a charity football match in 2016 and was clinically dead until paramedics were able to revive him with a defibrillator.
He’s keeping his fears very much under wraps, saying he’ll reveal what he’s scared of once he’s in the castle.
David, 54, explained: ‘I know the Geordies! I’ve met Ant and Dec before and I know they are big massive fans of Newcastle United. When you play for the club (like I did), all of the fans are amazing and very faithful. Newcastle is very lucky to have fans like them!
‘It is starting to sink in now that I am doing I’m A Celebrity. When I got offered the chance to do the programme, I thought ‘why not’. It’s going to be a great experience and it’s the chance to spend three weeks in the Castle doing things you have never done in your life.’
The star is ready to take on lots of cooking and is hoping to lose six kilos in three weeks.
Asked if he will share some of his stories of being a world class football player with his camp mates, he joked: ‘I will tell them stories of my life and they will fall asleep! I will be the ghost of the Castle!’
Who’s missing?
It’s not yet confirmed, but EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt and Coronation Street legend Simon Gregson are reportedly set to join the line-up.
Usually, two campmates are held back, entering the Castle a few days into the show – so watch this space!
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here begins on November 21 on ITV.
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