I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here‘s 2026 rumour mill is already gathering pace, with former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney now linked to the ITV show.
The ex-footballer, 40, is reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ for a stint Down Under.
Wayne Rooney set for jungle stint?
According to reports, Wayne could be following in wife Coleen’s footsteps by heading Down Under for the show.
Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed: “Wayne is in advanced talks for I’m A Celebrity and if they secure him, he’ll be their biggest signing in the show’s history. Coleen proved to be hugely popular when she took part two years ago, and bosses think Wayne is going to match her success,” a source told the publication.
“Wayne wants to show their sons what their dad can do and has joked he’ll be giving Coleen a run for her money. He is really competitive and hates losing so will give I’m A Celebrity his all,” they then continued.
“It’s something Coleen thinks will be great for him too. She’ll be backing him all the way and has been giving him hints and tips about life in the jungle.”
Wayne has previously spoken about the show, admitting it’s something “I would never say no to”.
“You never know in the future, but I’ve got other things I’m looking at at the minute,” he said.
When approached by ED! a spokesperson for ITV said: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity are just speculation.”
Jesy Nelson set for jungle stint
The singer is reportedly keen to do the show to help raise awareness about spinal muscular atrophy, which her twin daughters, Ocean and Story, were diagnosed with. SMA is a muscle wasting disease.
“Jesy has been negotiating with ITV for weeks, and now the talks are at a very promising stage. For Jesy, doing I’m A Celebrity would be a huge boost for her professionally as well as personally.
“Continuing to raise awareness around SMA for her girls is something Jesy is very keen to do, and she knows she can use a platform like I’m A Celebrity to reach millions. Jesy also loves challenges and is a huge fan of the show. She’d love to show the public a different side to her,” the source then claimed.
“It would be very hard for her to be away from her daughters for three weeks, but she wants to make them proud. ITV bosses are thrilled they’ve got to this stage with Jesy and hope she will sign her contract in the coming weeks to seal the deal,” they then added.
ED! has contacted ITV and Jesy’s representatives for comment.
I’m A Celebrity 2026 rumoured line-up: Ricky Wilson ‘snapped’ up
The singer, 48, is reportedly set to join the line-up for the series, which heads back to Australia in two months.
Ricky, who previously appeared as a coach on The Voice UK, has apparently been on I’m A Celeb bosses’ wish list for some time.
Now, insiders claim he has finally agreed to take on the jungle after years of persuasion.
Here’s what we know, along with the other stars currently rumoured to be taking part in this year’s I’m A Celebrity.
I’m A Celebrity bosses have allegedly been trying to sign Ricky for “years”, but the singer reportedly “politely declined” their offers.
That may have finally changed, with a source telling The Sun: “Now he’s finally given in. Bosses are overjoyed and think he will be a great addition to the camp.”
Ricky is best known as the frontman of rock band Kaiser Chiefs. Together, Ricky and his bandmates have sold more than £8million records around the world.
The singer will also be familiar to fans of The Voice. Ricky was a coach on the ITV singing contest between 2014 and 2016.
He also hosts Virgin Radio’s popular Drivetime show on weekday afternoons.
AJ Odudu ‘keen as mustard’ for I’m A Celebrity 2026
Ricky’s name comes after another familiar face was linked to this year’s I’m A Celebrity. AJ Odudu is also reportedly in talks to enter the jungle.
The Big Brother host, 38, is said to be “keen as mustard” to take part. AJ is poised to return to the Big Brother house next week for the latest series, but her diary will apparently be clear by mid-November.
“Once AJ’s Big Brother working dates were secured, she put herself into the frame for I’m A Celebrity,” a source has claimed.
“She’s had early conversations about taking part and has made it clear she can absolutely make the dates they need her to.”
AJ has hosted Big Brother alongside Will Best since its 2023 reboot on ITV. She has also previously hosted Married At First Sight UK spin-off Married At First: Afters.
In 2021, AJ competed on Strictly Come Dancing. She reached the final but was forced to withdraw just 24 hours before it due to a torn ligament.
YouTuber Sharky rumoured for I’m A Celebrity 2026 line-up
Beta Squad member and YouTuber Sharky has reportedly caught the attention of I’m A Celebrity bosses following last year’s series. I’m A Celebrity 2025 was won by fellow football gaming influencer Angry Ginge.
The YouTuber, whose real name is Sharmarke Mohamud, has never appeared on mainstream television. Online, however, his group Beta Squad has tens of millions of followers.
A TV insider told The Sun: “Sharky is absolutely massive with young people and ITV think he could be ideal to bring younger viewers to I’m A Celebrity.”
Sharky is known for his bad jokes and sarcastic humour. Like Angry Ginge, he started building his following through gaming on YouTube in 2015. His gameplay focused on FIFA, alongside football related vlogs.
In 2019, Sharky joined YouTube’s Beta Squad with four other online creators. The five British lads are known for making high concept reality challenges, comedy videos and guessing games.
I’m A Celebrity’s rumoured campmates: Ade Adepitan
Ade Adepitan is another name linked with the I’m A Celebrity 2026 line-up.
An insider claims that show bosses are in talks with the Paralympian about entering the jungle. They are also reportedly considering how to make the camp accessible for his wheelchair.
The 53-year-old became a household name through his success with Team GB’s basketball team.
He has since built a successful television presenting career, making him a familiar face to viewers.
If Ade does sign up for I’m A Celebrity, he would become the first wheelchair user to enter the camp.
Ade, who appeared in Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters last year, lost the use of his left leg as a child after contracting polio, which affected his central nervous system.
According to insiders, ITV bosses are “really keen” for Ade to join this year’s line up.
A source claimed: “Producers are currently looking at ways to adapt the camp to make it work for Ade.
“They think his infectious larger than life personality would make him a perfect campmate for the new series.”
Joanna Page rumoured for I’m A Celebrity 2026
Joanna Page starred as Stacey in Gavin & Stacey for 17 years, with her final appearance coming in Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, which aired on Christmas Day 2024.
She has also starred in films including Love Actually and Nativity 2. More recently, viewers have seen Joanna on ITV’s Loose Women as a guest panellist and presenting Shift the Thrift for the BBC.
Could her next TV adventure be I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!?
According to The Sun, Joanna is in “advanced” talks with show bosses. A source said: “Joanna is hugely popular thanks to her role on Gavin & Stacey. I’m a Celeb bosses would love to get her in the jungle so the public can get to know the real Joanna.
“She has confided in friends that she’s really keen to take part and wants to go on and make her children proud.”
Joanna is married to actor James Thornton. Together they share four children.
I’m A Celebrity 2026: Christopher Dean rumoured for line-up
Christopher Dean could also be set to swap the ice rink for the Australian jungle if the latest reports are to be believed.
The 67-year-old won Olympic gold alongside skating partner Jayne Torvill in 1984.
The pair later became judges and coaches on ITV’s Dancing On Ice from 2006 until the show was axed last year.
Reports have previously claimed Christopher ruled out taking part in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! However, it is now claimed retirement has prompted a change of heart.
A source told The Sun: “When bosses came knocking this year, he saw it in a different light. He’s recently retired and is looking for a new challenge.
“I’m A Celebrity is certainly that, so he has met with producers a few times already to talk through being a campmate for this year’s standard Australian series.”
Ben Stokes to join I’m A Celebrity 2026?
Christopher is not the only famous name being linked with the new series.
Cricket star Ben Stokes has also emerged as a rumoured campmate after announcing his retirement from the sport.
Ben, 35, surprised fans when he revealed he was retiring during a match at the end of last month.
That announcement has quickly sparked speculation that he could be heading to Australia.
Alex Apati, from Ladbrokes, said: “Ben Stokes could soon be swapping cricket for crickets, if the latest odds are anything to go by.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s Nadia Bychkova
Nadia Bychkova could be swapping the ballroom for the Australian jungle if the latest rumours are to be believed.
The former Strictly Come Dancing professional left the BBC show earlier this year as part of a shake up of the professional line up. That means the 36 year old could have room in her schedule for I’m A Celebrity 2026.
Reports claim Nadia has already held “a number of chats” with ITV bosses since her Strictly exit was announced. Insiders also say producers have been “so impressed” as they look at potential campmates.
However, Nadia has hinted her Strictly story may not be over just yet.
“We are talking about, hopefully, in the future me coming in and choreographing some of the pro numbers,” she said.
So could Nadia swap salsa for Bushtucker Trials? Fans may not have long to find out.
Su-Elise Nash for the jungle?
Mis-Teeq made a surprise return in May with a performance during the Britain’s Got Talent final. Su-Elise Nash, Alesha Dixon and Sabrina Washington have also announced a major comeback concert in London.
Now Su-Elise is reportedly being linked with a place on I’m A Celebrity 2026.
Earlier reports claimed she has been in talks about joining the ITV series, with sources saying “the timing couldn’t be better”.
Her bandmate Sabrina previously appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2009, and reports suggest Su-Elise is now keen to follow in her footsteps.
“The reunion has reminded everyone just how much love there still is for Mis-Teeq,” an insider added.
When is I’m A Celebrity 2026?
Christopher Dean and Ben Stokes are the first celebrities linked to this year’s series, but plenty more rumoured names are expected in the coming months.
I’m A Celebrity is due to return this autumn and is expected to begin in the middle of November.
Last year’s series launched on ITV1 on November 16, 2025, before ending three weeks later on December 7.
Attention is also turning to the show’s next spin off. To celebrate the 25th anniversary, I’m A Celebrity: The Wild Frontier is set to air next spring.
Like I’m A Celebrity South Africa, the new series will be mostly prerecorded. It will be filmed in Canada this autumn.
Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy are among the stars rumoured to have signed up.
Read more: ‘Time to say goodbye’: Joel Dommett breaks silence after quitting I’m A Celebrity: Unpacked
What do you think of this story? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page