Right then, grab a cuppa and prepare for some absolute chaos. The new series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is here, and the lineup is a beautiful, bizarre mix of people you love, people you vaguely recognise, and at least one person you will loudly claim you’ve “never seen before in your life.” Honestly, it’s like someone threw a dart at a board of “People Who Used to Be on Telly in the 90s.” Let’s break down the campmates, shall we?
The "I Can’t Believe They’re Still Famous" Contingent
Let’s start with the heavyweight of the year: Alan Halsall, aka Tyrone Dobbs from Coronation Street. He’s spent twenty-five years fixing cars and getting into daft arguments on the cobbles. Now he gets to argue with a kangaroo about a missing sock.
Then there’s Jane Moore, the Sun columnist who is apparently so opinionated that the jungle itself might ask her to take it down a notch. Watching her try to make a fire will either be genius television or a masterclass in passive-aggressive survival techniques.
And let’s not forget Dean McCullough, the Radio 1 DJ whose voice is so perky it could wake up a hibernating bear. Expect him to be either the camp’s cheerleader or the first person to cry over a cold baked bean.
The "Wait, They’re Still Alive?" Surprise
This year’s “where have you been?” award goes to Danny Jones from McFly. Yes, the band that was huge when you were at school. He’s apparently spent the last decade being a dad and looking annoyingly youthful. He’ll probably win every trial because he has the energy of a golden retriever who just discovered a tennis ball.
Equally surprising is Myleene Klass, who is back for a second bite of the jungle apple. She’s already a legend for playing piano in a bikini during a storm. This time, she might just build a luxury spa out of bamboo and spiderwebs. Mark my words.
The Reality TV Royalty (and One Rebel)
Of course, we have the obligatory Love Island star: this year, it’s Maura Higgins. She’s an Irish model with a face that says “I’m too good for this” and a mouth that says “I’ll fight a crocodile for a chocolate bar.” She’s pure TV gold, a human meme generator.
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Then there’s Ruthie Henshall, the West End legend. She’s performed in Chicago and Les Misérables, which means she can belt out a tune. More importantly, she can probably use her theatrical training to fake a dramatic collapse if the trials get too icky.
And for the chaos factor, we have Barry McGuigan, the former boxing champion. He’s not allowed to punch anyone, obviously. But he will absolutely win the eating trials because his stomach has been conditioned by decades of dodgy pre-fight meals.
The "He’s a What Now?" Wildcards
Every year needs a curveball. This time, it’s GK Barry (real name: Grace). She’s a TikTok star who became famous for ranting about nonsense. Her survival strategy will be to talk the bugs into submission. It might actually work.
Also in the mix is Melvin Odoom, the DJ and television presenter. You’ve seen him on The Xtra Factor and probably thought, “Oh yeah, that bloke!” He’s the camp’s secret weapon: lovely enough to avoid being nominated for trials, but funny enough to keep the ratings up.
I'm A Celebrity 2026 Start Date | Naked Grapefruit
Finally, whisper it quietly, but there’s a “mystery campmate” who will arrive later. Last year it was a former politician. This year, it could be your actual postman for all we know. The producers love a good dramatic entrance.
Who’s Going to Cry First?
Let’s place our bets. Jane Moore looks like she has the emotional fortitude of a soggy paper bag. One spider in her sleeping bag and she’ll be writing a column about “the trauma.” Meanwhile, Alan Halsall will probably just stand there looking bewildered, which is basically what Tyrone Dobbs does anyway.
The favourites to win? Bookies currently have Danny Jones and Maura Higgins neck and neck. Which is hilarious because one is a family-friendly pop star and the other is a woman who once told a man his breath smelled like “a badger’s bum.” Choose your champion wisely.
A Final, Very Serious Prediction
Here’s the truth: we don’t watch this show for the morals or the survival tactics. We watch it to see famous people scream at a possum. We watch it to see who breaks first under the pressure of no phone, no pillow, and a diet that makes a prison canteen look like fine dining. Myleene Klass will probably win just by smiling serenely while eating a witchetty grub. But I’ll be rooting for GK Barry, because if a woman who got famous on the internet can survive the jungle, there’s hope for all of us.
So set your alarms, stock up on snacks, and prepare for six weeks of pure, unadulterated madness. The jungle is waiting. And frankly, so is your remote control.
