I’m A Celebrity 2023 is officially underway, but two stars are joining the camp as latecomers, and they’ve finally been unveiled.
Nigel Farage and This Morning’s Josie Gibson have joined Jamie Lynn Spears and Marvin Humes on the reality programme, with the former Ukip leader reportedly becoming the highest-paid contestant on the show ever.
First Dates’ Fred Sirieix and EastEnders actress Danielle Harold are also be taking on Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly’s bushtucker trials.
Last year, comedian Seann Walsh and former health secretary Matt Hancock provided quite the shock when they arrived in the jungle after the celebrities had already begun filming.
And now two sports stars that were rumoured to be heading into the jungle have announced, as this year’s latecomers.
Who are the I’m A Celeb 2023 latecomers?
World-famous jockey Frankie Dettori and former pro boxer Tony Bellew are doing are heading into the jungle.
Frankie, 52, previously confirmed he had jetted off to Australia, after rumours he was in ‘advanced talks’ to star on the show.
The Italian jockey, who announced his retirement late last year but made a recent U-turn, said in a video montage: ‘My strength as a person, I am a fighter, I won’t lie to you, I can be quite moody sometimes when I lose so I don’t know what kind of Frankie is going to come out.’
‘I’ve been racing for 36 years in front of thousands of people, but this is my biggest challenge,’ the 52-year-old added.
Meanwhile 40-year-old Tony said he is going into the jungle ‘because it’s a challenge, and guess what, I love a challenge’.
‘I’m a serial winner, I hate to lose, I am not going to give in. I’ve faced many different things in my life now and the jungle is next, let’s see what you’ve got for me,’ he added.
At the end of Wednesday’s episode, co-host Anthony McPartlin said: ‘There are more surprises on the way because at the end of the trial the celebrities will be split into two teams of five.’
While Declan Donnelly said: ‘Over the next couple of days those teams will be going head to head in trials and challenges and those trials will take place in a special area known as the Scarena.’
A source had previously told The Sun: ‘Frankie is a superstar signing for jungle casting producers as he is a legend in the horse racing world and would be reality TV gold.
‘He might be pint-sized, but his personality is larger than life and he has real charm and a sense of humour.
‘Frankie would be brilliant in the Bushtucker Trials too as being competitive is second nature to him. He’s got a wealth of stories he could tell around the campfire too to keep other campmates entertained.’
Meanwhile, Tony – who has previously starred on Celebrity SAS – was one of the first names reported for this year’s I’m A Celebrity.
Katie Price’s ex Danny Cipriani was also rumoured to be heading into the jungle, as well as The Apprentice’s Thomas Skinner, and Denise Van Outen.
This comes after filming was reportedly thrown into chaos after Coronation Street star Alan Halsall was forced to pull out of the series after undergoing knee surgery.
A source said: ‘It’s a big blow, but there’s no way he can go to Australia – his surgeon would have a fit.
‘Alan needs to recover fully and then maybe he can take part next year.’
The insider continued to The Mirror: ’It’s a massive shame because everyone was really looking forward to having him on the show, but these things happen.’
I’m A Celebrity starts on Sunday, November 19 at 9pm on ITV2.
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