CAMPMATES for I'm A Celeb 2020 have been confirmed!
This year's show will be filmed at the historic Gwrych Castle in Abergele.
Viewers will see the celebrities undertake gruelling trials and fun-filled challenges to win food and treats in the lead up to one of them being crowned, for the first time ever, King or Queen of the Castle.
Learn about the celebrities entering the castle:
TV Presenter – Vernon Kay:
Phobias: I don’t like being confined underwater!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I think I have always been the same throughout my career – so I don’t have any.
Role in the camp: Person to keep spirits up.
Miss most: My family.
Dream campmate: Anybody who has won the Super Bowl!
Relationship status: Married
Vernon has signed up to I’m A Celebrity to make his two daughters proud. And the star admits it is all down to daughters, Phoebe and Amber, that he has agreed to join his fellow celebrities in the Welsh camp this year even though he knows he will be a big softie and cry.
“One hundred per cent I will cry,” said the TV entertainer.
“My favourite movie is Forrest Gump. I have seen it at least 100 times and I cry every time I watch it.
“But I am excited about doing I’m a Celebrity. The physical and mental challenges will be really interesting.
“I am also looking forward to finding out who my camp mates are and building relationships with those guys - finding out who they are and what makes them who they are.
“Mainly though I am doing it for my daughters, Phoebe and Amber.”
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Broadcaster and Journalist – Victoria Derbyshire
Phobias: I am not a fan of spiders or confined spaces and I don’t know what I am going to be like when I get there!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t think I have any as people just know me as the news and current affairs person!
Role in the camp: Shoulder to cry on.
Miss most: My boys, husband, dog and Mum.
Dream campmate: Madonna, Gary Lineker and Jamie Oliver to cook for us. I think you could have some really geeky chats with them!
Relationship status: Married.
BBC news presenter Victoria Derbyshire admits beating breast cancer has made her more determined than ever to take on new challenges – and it is one of the reasons why she is taking part in this year’s I’m A Celebrity.
Admitting her BBC colleagues will be surprised when they find out she is going to the Welsh castle, Victoria, 52, says cancer has taught her to have fun.
“This is a mad thrill adventure that I want to take part in,” she said.
“Because of cancer, I know more than lots of people, life is short. I am now saying ‘yes’ to stuff I wouldn’t have done previously. And if I don’t do my boys proud, I will never live it down.
“They really, really want me to do it and they have kept it a secret for months now because they want me to do it so much.
“They do think it is cool I am doing it because this is their programme of the year. My husband is also so happy I am doing it. He thinks I will love it, throw myself into it and he said if it makes me happy, he is happy. They are on the journey with me!”
Reflecting on the reaction of her fellow news presenters, she added: “They will be probably quite surprised and taken aback but anyone who knows me well knows I like an adventure.”
Star of Stage and Screen – Shane Richie
Phobias: Human faeces. If I see one, it is over! I am hoping the camp toilet will be enclosed.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: Nothing. I don’t think I am that interesting.
Role in the camp: Person who will muck in with anything.
Miss most: My family and routine at home.
Dream campmate: Eric Cantona, any 80s’ pop star or The Rock.
Relationship status: Married.
Former EastEnders star Shane Richie has been keeping it a big secret that he is taking part in this year’s I’m A Celebrity since January but after Covid put a stop to his other work plans, he says he can’t wait to be around adults again.
Admitting he has been asked many times before, the actor – known to millions as Alfie Moon in the BBC soap – says he snapped up the offer this year as it was the show’s 20th anniversary.
“We got the call in January and I agreed to do it because it was the 20th one,” he said.
“My kids were old enough to travel to Australia and they wanted to meet Ant and Dec! We were all really excited.
“We were going to fit it around my other work projects as I was going on tour, doing a TV series and panto but that all got cancelled in March. And now I am literally skint!
"You save money for a rainy day but you don’t expect the rainy day to last six months. Thankfully I’ve been able to borrow money from mates, my family and the bank and my wife is now very happy we can finally pay off the credit card!
“But what an honour to be asked before lockdown. I am so grateful and I am really looking forward to being around adults again instead of my wife and three children!”
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Paralympic Gold Medallist – Hollie Arnold
Phobias: Spiders.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t want it to focus on my disability.
Role in the camp: Cook/shoulder to cry on.
Miss most: My boyfriend, food and my cats.
Dream campmate: Michelle Keegan –she is beautiful!
Relationship status:Dating
Hollie Arnold holds Paralympic, World, Commonwealth and European Gold medals in the F46 javelin event and says she hopes by taking part in I’m A Celebrity, she will inspire viewers to follow their dreams.
“I don’t want it to be about my disability,” said Hollie.
“Yes I have a missing arm and I am in the Paralympics but I want to show people nothing stops me and it shouldn’t stop anyone else either.
“I hope by going on the programme, it inspires people. I want people to look and see that I am scared but I am giving it a go. And now it is here, I am feeling excited. Yes it is scary but it couldn’t have come at a better time! I can’t wait!”
Describing herself as an underdog, Hollie hopes viewers will get a chance to get to know her better.
“I am really looking forward to meeting people,” she added.
“They won’t know me and so there is the feeling of being an underdog but hopefully by sharing my stories, people will get to understand what I have achieved.”
Although she readily admits some of the trials will be tough, Hollie is determined to give it her best shot.
She said: “People might see me as someone who wins medals in sport and I just hope I can use my independence and the pressures I go through with athletics in the camp and the trials!
“But I can’t train for this and it’s going to be a very big challenge!”
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Radio 1 DJ – Jordan North
Phobias: It’s just easier to say what I am not scared of. I have so many phobias!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: On my Radio 1 show, I am always bubbly and energetic but everyone has down moments too, so it will be nice for people to see what I am really like.
Role in the camp: Entertainer and the tidy up person –I love a tidy house!
Miss most: A nice cool pint of Guinness.
Dream campmate: Barack Obama and Liam Gallagher. He would be great entertainment value!
Relationship status: Single
Radio 1 DJ Jordan North reckons I’m A Celebrity will be the perfect tonic for the nation this year as he reveals he is petrified of everything. And the BBC radio presenter admits it’s going to be surreal to finally meet his own childhood heroes – presenters Ant and Dec.
“I’ve been watching this show ever since it started, I can remember Kerry Katona doing it all those years ago," said Jordan.
“With everything going on this year, people will want this show on TV more than anything. We all need it. It’s my favourite show on the telly and to be part of it is a big honour.
"My co-presenter at Radio 1, Emily Atack, talked so lovingly about it all and you can’t turn something like this down.
“I have never met Ant and Dec either and I am so excited to meet them. I loved them on SM:TV doing Wonky Donkey!
“I have got so many phobias and fears. I am worried I will let people down but I also want to give the trials my best go. I hope Radio 1 listeners will get behind me.”
Looking forward to meeting the rest of his fellow celebrities, Jordan thinks it will be tough surviving on rice and beans.
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Corrie icon – Beverley Callard
Phobias: Ghosts and insects.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People think I am glamorous as I have played Liz for so long but I am not!
Role in the camp: Cleaner.
Miss most:Dogs and my husband, Jon. Dream campmate:Ricky Gervais –he would keep us all going.
Relationship status: Married
She has played one of Coronation Street’s most iconic characters on and off for more than 30 years but as Beverley Callard swaps the cobbles for a Welsh castle, the actress promises she definitely won’t be turning up with a wonder bra and short skirt on.
Laughing, the legendary star – known to millions as Corrie’s Liz McDonald – stresses she is worlds’ apart from her on-screen character and thinks viewers will get a shock to learn she definitely isn’t glamorous.
“I think as I have played Liz for so long, people think I am quite glamorous and they think I am covered in make-up all the time,” Beverley said.
“They do see me as Liz and I think they think I will be going in with a wonder bra on and a very short skirt!
“Well to be totally honest, I am just the opposite! I hate being dressed up and I don’t care if my nails break either! I am quite at home in comfy baggy clothes.”
Revealing she has been asked many times before to take part in I’m A Celebrity, Beverley says she decided to take the plunge after making the big decision to quit Corrie earlier this year.
“I felt that after 31 years Liz had run her course," she added.
“And normally, I would have said ‘thank you but no thank you’. But this year, I decided to go for it. Doing I’m A Celebrity is an adventure and definitely out of my comfort zone!”
Ballroom Dancer – AJ Pritchard
Phobias: Heights, claustrophobia.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People see me with sparkles and fake tan but nobody knows what I am like!
Role in the camp: Keeping spirits up and the cleaner.
Miss most: My warm and comfy bed!
Dream campmate: Any celebrity with an intriguing background.
Relationship status:Dating.
Strictly Come Dancing’s AJ Pritchard may be swapping the glitzy ballroom for a Welsh castle but as a show super fan, he can’t wait to take part in what he describes as ‘the best programme on TV’.
And the excited star admits he is looking forward to having a digital detox as he focuses on putting ‘110 per cent effort’ into winning as many stars as he can for his fellow camp mates.
“Doing I’m A Celebrity is a childhood dream come true,” said AJ.
“I was so excited to watch the return of Strictly this Autumn but now I am going to be on an even better show! I can’t wait!
“I think my friends from Strictly like Neil (Jones) and Janette (Manrara) are going to watch, which is really nice. They have always known how much I have wanted to do this programme as I have talked about it all the time!”
Asked what he is most looking forward to and the professional dancer replies: “When I walk into the camp for the first time, I will be like the kid in the candy shop!
“People see me on Strictly with fake tan and sparkles but nobody knows me. It will be nice for people to see me and get to know who I am.
“I am unbelievably competitive and whatever the challenge is, I will go for it. I will give everything 110 per cent.
"I really appreciate life and I never take anything for granted. I will be trying to come back with all the stars every single time and if I don’t, I think I will be disappointed.”
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Author and Podcaster – Giovanna Fletcher
Phobias: Heights. My legs go wobbly and you can’t rationalise it!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I am not that controversial so nothing.
Role in the camp: Mum, friend and the giver of hugs!
Miss most: My husband, Tom, and my three children.
Dream campmate: The Queen, Judi Dench and Ant Middleton so he can help us with all the survival skills!
Relationship status: Married.
Popular Podcaster Giovanna Fletcher has revealed how she and her family have practised I’m A Celebrity trials with runner beans.
Laughing, Giovanna– who is married to Tom Fletcher from McFly and who has more than a million Instagram followers – says they have set their very own eating trials in the past with vegetables.
“Years ago we started doing a runner bean challenge which is based on I’m A Celebrity,” she explained.
“It’s where we pretend we are doing an eating trial but actually we are eating our vegetables really fast! Challenges like this find a way of becoming part of the family dynamic and I can’t wait to do this.”
Giovanna – who has interviewed dozens of famous faces, including the Duchess of Cambridge, for her podcast – added: “As soon as I got the call asking if I would take part, it was a no brainer for me as I am such a fan.
"It’s going to be so weird when I arrive, as it will be like stepping inside my TV!
“I’m A Celebrity is such feel good television and I can’t wait to take on the trials and be part of the camp.”
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Olympic Legend – Sir Mo Farah
Phobias:Any animal that moves!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running.
Role in the camp: Cook.
Miss most: Coffee, my wife and children.
Dream campmate: Samuel L Jackson would be pretty cool!
Relationship status: Married.
He is the most decorated track and field athlete in modern Olympic Games history and now as Sir Mo Farah enters the I’m A Celebrity camp, he admits people will be very surprised he is taking part.
But the double Olympic champion at the 2012 and 2016 Games in both the 5000 and 10,000 metre races says it has always been a big goal to appear on the programme after watching it as a fan.
And so when he was approached by ITV for the first time this year, Sir Mo, 37, says he couldn’t resist accepting the offer to test himself in an arena away from running.
Explaining his reasons for going on I’m A Celebrity, Sir Mo said: “I’ve watched it on telly and thought to myself I would like to challenge myself and see what I can do – and so that is the whole reason behind it.
“I know a lot of people will be surprised as they don’t see me in that way. They associate me with running and winning but nothing other than that. And my kids have been on at me too saying ‘I can’t see you doing that dad’ but I want to give it a go!
“I want to have fun in the camp!”
And now as he prepares to enter, the longdistance champion says he is raring to go.
“I am excited and it’s definitely sinking in now,” he said.
“It’s so out of my comfort zone but I just want to go in there and be myself.
"I am most looking forward to meeting different people, getting challenges thrown at you and working as a team.”
Is he scared of anything?
“I am fearful of everything that moves – all animals!” he replies, laughing as he does.
“But I am not bothered if the castle is haunted and I’m not too bad with heights either.”
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EastEnders Soap Star – Jessica Plummer
Phobias:Arachnophobia, fear of heights –just about every phobia!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me for who I am rather than my EastEnders character.
Role in the camp: Chatterbox and little sister.
Miss most: My daughter. It’s going to be the longest we’ve been apart.
Dream campmate: Denzel Washington would be awesome. I would listen to every word he said!
Relationship status: Single.
Former EastEnders actress Jessica Plummer is hoping to cure her fears in the Welsh castle as she admits her family think she is ‘mental’ for taking part.
Laughing, the 28-year-old – known to millions as Chantelle Atkins who was killed off earlier this year in the BBC soap – also reveals those closest to her can’t believe she is giving up her luxuries to live in basic living conditions.
“Everyone I have told think I am mental,” she said.
“My family are all like ‘Jess seriously, you are such a scaredy cat and you are so precious about your luxuries, what are you signing up for?!
“But I have reminded them I did go camping as a kid and I know I have got it in me. I am quite competitive, I played sports as a kid and I would really beat myself up if I didn’t give it my all. Hopefully this will spur me on!”
Reflecting on the fact she has a phobia regarding everything that could possibly happen on I’m A Celebrity, she added: “I have got all the phobias.
"When my friends see me too, they are going to say ‘what the hell? This doesn’t make sense! But I keep having to tell myself that it is good to face your fears.”
All the trials, she said, will be awful.
“I am dreading all of them,” she declared.
“Are any of them nice? Are any better than another?!
"I remember watching the show in the past and always looking forward to the eating trial.
"Whether I want to be part of it is a different matter!”
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