The Daily Star Ireland
Coleen Rooney will make her debut on *I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!* this year, joining a lineup of well-known personalities in the opening episode. The popular ITV reality show, renowned for its grueling trials and eating challenges, will feature Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall, BBC Radio 1 presenter Melvin Odoom, internet star and Loose Women host GK Barry, and former Irish boxer Barry McGuigan as they arrive in the jungle on Sunday for the first episode of the 2024 season.
The contestants will partner up to take on various tasks, all competing to become the camp’s leaders. Coleen Rooney will team up with BBC Radio 1’s Dean McCullough. The chosen leaders will enjoy special privileges, such as being exempt from chores and staying in the leaders’ lodge.
Also joining the show are former Strictly Come Dancing professional and Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse, N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos, Loose Women’s Jane Moore, and McFly’s Danny Jones.
Ahead of the show’s premiere, ITVX launched the documentary *Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story* on its streaming platform.
Coleen, wife of former England footballer Wayne Rooney, follows Rebekah Vardy, with whom she had a notorious libel battle, into the jungle. Coleen became known as “Wagatha Christie” after she accused Vardy, married to Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, of leaking her private information to *The Sun* via social media. A judge ruled in 2022 that Coleen’s post was “substantially true.”
Recently, Vardy told *The Sun* that she had no intention of discussing the case, claiming that Coleen “clearly can’t let it go.” Vardy suggested that Coleen has always wanted her life, adding that Coleen is now following in her footsteps by joining the show.
Despite this, Vardy said there were “no hard feelings” toward Coleen for appearing on the same reality shows, though she still holds resentment over the past. During her time on the show in 2017, Vardy was the third celebrity to leave but said the experience helped her become more tolerant after a confrontation with campmate Iain Lee.
Coleen, who has been in the public eye for over 20 years, shared that her time in the jungle would offer viewers a better understanding of who she truly is.
This year, no politicians have been announced as contestants, after Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage took part in the previous two seasons. Both made it to the final of their respective years. Reports suggest that Love Island star Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles, a former BBC presenter and author, may join the show later.
