Dame Arlene Phillips 'signs up' for I'm A Celebrity

The 78 year-old would be the oldest contestant in the show's history

Author: Alex RossPublished 1st Oct 2021

It's that time of year again! Now that the dark nights are creeping in and the temperatures are swiftly dropping, all thoughts are turning to the 2021 series of hit ITV show I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

After bosses confirmed the series would once again be taking place in North Wales this year, rumours are heating up as to which famous faces have signed up for the show, following Giovanna Fletcher being crowned the winner last December.

According to The Mirror, Strictly Come Dancing legend Dame Arlene Phillips is set to become to oldest contestant in history at the age of 78, signing up for this year's show.

A source told the publication: “Arlene is strong and tough and her energy is boundless.

“No doubt she’ll have the group dancing around the campfire in a bid to beat the cold and keep morale high. Should be fun.”

If the rumours are true, Arlene will also make history by becoming the first ever Dame to enter the jungle (or should we say castle).

After receiving a CBE in 2013, Arlene was honoured to become a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to dance and charity.

Check out which other celebs are rumoured for I'm A Celebrity 2021:

Coleen Rooney

According to reports in October, Coleen Rooney has signed up for this year's series for a 'record breaking fee'. Coleen is a huge fan of the show, so bosses are reportedly buzzing that she's signed the dotted line.

Ally McCoist

Scottish football legend Ally McCoist is reportedly in 'advanced talks' with bosses to appear on the 2024 series. The pundit has turned down the show twice in the past, so could 2024 be his year?

Tom Daley

After winning his fifth Olympic medal during the Paris 2024 Olympics, diver Tom Daley announced his retirement from the sport after the games, and now bosses are reportedly keen to sign him up for I'm A Celeb!

Tulisa

According to reports, N-Dubz star Tulisa is 'in talks' with I'm A Celeb bosses in an attempt to kickstart her TV career back up.

Jeremy Clarkson

Following the last ever series of The Grand Tour, rumours are rife that Jeremy Clarkson is in demand with reality TV shows, with I'm A Celeb reportedly top of the list!

Tommy Fury

Following his shock split from Love Island fiancée Molly-Mae Hague in August, bookies were tipping Tommy Fury to sign up for the 2024 series! Ladbrokes said: "Reality TV chiefs will surely be queuing up to snap up Molly-Mae or Tommy following their shock split, and the odds suggest the latter could well be jungle-bound later this year."

However, just weeks before the start date, reports are rife that Tommy has pulled out of the show after getting a better offer for a rematch against KSI.

Maura Higgins

With the news that Tommy has now pulled out of the show, rumours are rife that his fellow Love Island star Maura Higgins will replace him!

Mick McCarthy

After departing his managerial position at Blackpool FC last year, Mick McCarthy is now being tipped to head into the jungle!

Reverend Richard Coles

He's no stranger to reality TV having appeared on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2017, but now it sounds like Reverend Richard Coles could be about to swap his dancing shoes for the jungle. According to reports, Richard has signed up for this year's series.

Giovanni Pernice

Following his removal from Strictly Come Dancing, ITV/STV bosses are reportedly keen to sign up Giovanni Pernice for the 2024 series, with Mail Online suggesting they are ready to splash out ÂŁ100,000 to sign him.

Richard Gadd

After shooting to intense fame earlier this year following the release of Netflix's Baby Reindeer, Scottish actor and comedian Richard Gadd is now reportedly being lined-up by bosses for the 2024 series of I'm A Celeb.

Jane Moore

According to reports by Mail Online, I'm A Celeb bosses have signed Loose Women star Jane Moore, following her split from her husband of 20 years, Gary Farrow. According to the reports, Jane would like to join the show to conquer new tasks.

Alan Halsall

Coronation Street star Alan Halsall has been in the rumour mill for a number of years now and it's understood he was due to appear in 2023, before picking up a nasty ACL injury which resulted in him needing major surgery. It's now being reported that bosses are keen to sign Alan for the 2024 show.

Oti Mabuse

Having appeared on both Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing On Ice, professional dancer Oti Mabuse is no stranger to TV, and if reports are to be believed, she could be adding I'm A Celeb to her CV. Rumours are rife that Oti has signed up for the show, with bosses 'over the moon' to land her signature.

Olivia Attwood

As fans will know, reality star Olivia Attwood was forced to quit the 2022 series due to medical reasons, leaving her gutted. Olivia later hinted she could return for the 2023 series, admitting she'd had chats with bosses during an appearance on Loose Women.


However, after Olivia didn't appear in the 2023 series, could she feature on the 2024 line-up?

Alex Beresford

Good Morning Britain weather reporter Alex Beresford has recently expressed interest in appearing on I'm A Celeb. He told the Mirror: "Out of all the shows I would love to do, I would love to do the jungle."


Alex recently appeared on BBC One's Celebrity Race Across The World.

Danny Dyer

Since Danny Dyer left his iconic role as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter on EastEnders last year, he's been heavily rumoured for I'm A Celeb.


Of course, his family are no strangers to reality TV, with Danny's daughter Dani winning Love Island back in 2018.

Denise van Outen

The lovely Denise van Outen is no stranger to reality shows, having appeared on the likes of Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Gogglebox in recent years.


Denise has previously admitted she turned down the offer in 2021, so will 2024 be her year?

The Vivienne

RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne recently admitted she would love to appear on I'm A Celeb during a chat with Lorraine.


She said: "Do you know what, I've never thought about it but what an absolutely amazing opportunity that would be."

Phil Taylor

Ever since he admitted he'd 'love' to appear on the show a number of years ago, darts legend Phil Taylor has been heavily rumoured every year. As he's not yet entered the jungle, could 2024 be his year?

Will Mellor

Following his stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, it seems actor Will Mellor has the reality TV bug, as he's admitted to his friend and former co-star Ralf Little he'd fancy appearing on I'm A Celeb. Could 2024 be his year?

Richard Arnold

Good Morning Britain's entertainment presenter Richard Arnold is usually the one travelling over to Australia to report on the cast, but if rumours are to be believed, he could be taking part this year!

Harry Clark

The Traitors series two winner Harry Clark is reportedly being lined-up for the 2024 series. At the beginning of July, Harry appeared on Lorraine where he confessed he'd love to take part! Will we see him in the jungle?

It was back in August that ITV confirmed the 2021 series would be returning to Gwrych Castle in Wales.

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s head of entertainment commissioning, said: “We can confirm today that we’ll be returning to Wales for the 2021 series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!

“We’ve always said we have contingencies in place for the series if the Covid situation continued to bring uncertainty, and after a highly successful run at the castle last year we’re pleased that we can return there.

“I have no doubt the production team will produce another hugely entertaining series.”

At this stage, bosses are yet to confirm any celebs for the 2021 series.

I'm A Celebrity will return to ITV later in the year.

Now read:

I'm A Celebrity: Everything you need to know

Tommy Fury rumoured to be joining this year's I'm A Celebrity

All of the TV shows we can’t wait to return in 2021

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