Dame Arlene Phillips 'signs up' for I'm A Celebrity
The 78 year-old would be the oldest contestant in the show's history
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:
Patsy Palmer
Following her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, bookies had odds of 2/1 for EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer to appear on this year's show. As reality TV fans will know, she's no stranger to TV, having appeared on the likes of The Masked Singer and Dancing On Ice.
Nick Ferrari
Reports suggested bosses were determined to get TV and Radio host Nick Ferrari on this year's line-up!
Jools Oliver
When hosts Ant and Dec invited TV chef Jamie Oliver to appear on the show, he quickly declined, saying: "Thanks for the offer boys, I would love to come on I'm A Celeb. "I think it's an amazing show, but honestly, you couldn't give me enough olive oil in the world to make me eat a witchetty grub or a kangaroo's a--e, no way."
However, he did nominate his wife Jools, adding: "But what I can give you is my wife Jools, she would love to be on the show. Go on Jools."
Ally McCoist
Scottish football legend Ally McCoist was reportedly in 'advanced talks' with bosses to appear on the 2024 series, but he didn't appear! The pundit has turned down the show twice in the past, and it looks like he's done the same again.
Jeremy Clarkson
Thanks to the success of Clarkson's Farm, rumours were rife that Jeremy Clarkson is in demand with reality TV shows, with I'm A Celeb reportedly top of the list!
Tommy Fury
Bookies were tipping Tommy Fury to sign up for the 2024 series, but after landing a rematch with KSI, Tommy turned down the show. Now he's back with Molly-Mae, many thought he'd feature in the 2025 line-up.
Giovanni Pernice
Following his removal from Strictly Come Dancing, ITV/STV bosses were reportedly keen to sign up Giovanni Pernice for the 2024 series, with Mail Online suggesting they are ready to splash out £100,000 to sign him. However, Giovanni then signed up for the Italian version of Strictly and he didn't appear!
Richard Gadd
After shooting to intense fame in 2024 following the release of Netflix's Baby Reindeer, Scottish actor and comedian Richard Gadd was reportedly being lined-up by bosses.
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.
Although she's in demand right now and very busy with radio and TV jobs, we have to admit we'd love to see Liv back in the jungle at some point!
Alex Beresford
Good Morning Britain weather reporter Alex Beresford 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, but it looks like she's not going to appear in 2025.
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.
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
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:
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All of the TV shows we can’t wait to return in 2021