Eleven celebrities will enter the Australian jungle camp when the 26th series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! launches on Monday, 16 November. According to BBC News, the line-up features former England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney, Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page, and YouTuber Sharky among those heading Down Under for the ITV show.
The group will also include Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson, Paralympian and presenter Ade Adepitan, actress Claire Sweeney, and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup. TV presenter AJ Odudu, comedian Jack Skipper, Love Island contestant Chloe Burrows, and model Leomie Anderson complete the cast. Hosts Ant and Dec will return to present the series, with the launch episode scheduled for 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, running for 95 minutes.
Why is Wayne Rooney taking part?
Rooney is following in the footsteps of his wife Coleen, who finished as runner-up in the 2024 series. The former striker turned manager and pundit is determined to claim the title his wife narrowly missed.
"If you're going in you want to win it," he said. "Coleen's already tried and obviously she finished second in the show so I'm here to bring that title back to the Rooney household."According to Evoke, Coleen was proud of his decision to join the show, and her own experience meant she understood how difficult it would be.
Rooney has had time to pursue television opportunities after retiring as a player in 2021 and subsequently managing Plymouth Argyle and Derby County. However, he has revealed significant personal challenges he will face in the camp.
"I've been booked to jump out of a plane three times before and never made it on the plane," he said, admitting that jumping out of a helicopter is his biggest fear.
"I don't like snakes or what is in the water either - I don't go in the sea."
Who is Ade Adepitan and why is his participation significant?
Ade Adepitan will make history as the first wheelchair user to participate in I'm A Celebrity. The Paralympian and documentary maker's involvement required producers to make adaptations to the Australian jungle camp to ensure accessibility. In a statement, Adepitan reflected on the milestone:
"For me, this is a moment in time. Even if I go out in the first week, I will always be remembered as the person in a wheelchair. I am slightly overwhelmed. It's never been done before, and it never crossed my mind I would be the first."
Who else is in the 2026 line-up?
Leomie Anderson is a model and co-host of the makeup competition series Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star. Chloe Burrows reached the final of Love Island, and now works as a Kiss Radio breakfast presenter and host of the Chloe vs The World podcast. Mariella Frostrup is a broadcaster, author, and journalist with regular appearances on Loose Women and Times Radio.
AJ Odudu is known for presenting Big Brother and was a former Strictly Come Dancing contestant. Joanna Page is best known for playing Stacey in the hit sitcom Gavin and Stacey, and has hosted television series including Shift the Thrift and Shop Well For Less. Ricky Wilson is the Kaiser Chiefs singer, a former Virgin Radio drivetime host, and previously coached on The Voice UK.
Sharky, whose real name is Sharmarke Mohamud, is one of YouTube's Beta Squad, a group with 12 million rs that also includes Celebrity Traitors star King Kenny. According to Hello Magazine, Sharky said he was nervous about moving into mainstream television. Jack Skipper is a stand-up comedian and social media star, while Claire Sweeney is a Coronation Street and Brookside star with experience as a musical actress.
What happened in the previous series?
The most recent I'm A Celebrity series was an all-star version filmed in South Africa, which concluded in April with significant drama. The live final was marked by heated arguments and walk-outs among the cast. Adam Thomas won the all-star series after a turbulent camp stay marked by conflicts with David Haye and Jimmy Bullard, emotional moments, and dramatic eliminations. The 2025 series was won by YouTuber Angry Ginge, who the 2026 winner is expected to succeed.
What happens next?
The launch episode will air on Monday, 16 November at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The spin-off series I'm a Celebrity… Unpacked will return on ITV2 and ITVX, hosted by Joel Dommett and Kemi Rodgers, providing daily analysis and behind-the-scenes content from the camp.
