EXCLUSIVE: Ruthie Henshall reveals her pal John Barrowman's tips for surviving I'm A Celeb!
Ruthie spoke to us about going on I'm A Celeb before she entered the castle!
Our very own Ruthie Henshall is now in the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! castle, having joined the show as a late arrival. Ruthie, whose show Behind the Stage Door with Ruthie Henshall you can normally hear every Saturday at 2pm, entered the camp along with fellow late arrival Russell Watson, and they made their debut last night (18th Nov).
However, we were able to catch up with Ruthie before she went on the show, and got a taste of what she is expecting and what she's most scared of - along with some tips from her musical theatre BFF John Barrowman MBE, who was also a runner-up on the show in 2018...
Ruthie revealed that John was one of the first people she spoke to about being on the show! "He's such a great guy. The first thing I did when they called me and said, 'Would you do it?', was I called him up and I went, 'Okay, so spill, tell me, should I do it?' And he said, 'Absolutely, you should do it'.
"He said it's a life experience that you shouldn't miss, and that you'll learn something about yourself, you'll have a wonderful time, you will have a hard time. He said, day four, he was like, 'I think I need to leave'. He said a lot of people feel like that around that time."
Ruthie and John have been friends for many years, having worked on plenty of shows as leading man and leading lady together, "He's the leading man I've worked with the most - and he is hilarious, and a brilliant leader of a company as well. We have been in such trouble in every show we've ever done together. I promised I would never work with him again because I was so unprofessional!"
Ruthie Henshall reveals John Barrowman's tips for staying sane on I'm A Celebrity...
Ruthie said that the hunger was something John had advised her on, "He said about the hunger, to start cutting down on your meals and just eating in the evening for a good two or three weeks beforehand, which is odd, it's an odd feeling.
"But having come from a dancer's world, I'm hoping that I'm going to be used to the lack of food. What do they call it, hangry? There's a lot of chance that I'll get hold, which is hungry, angry, lonely and tired. But Barrowman had a wonderful experience, and he felt that he learnt lots about himself.
"I've been in my field for 35 years, and so it's the lure of, when they asked was, this is completely out of my comfort zone, and it's completely out of my sphere. And I could not stop thinking about what what a fun opportunity it will be. What a different arena! I mean, it is not the most dignified arenas ever."
Ruthie on what she'll miss most from the outside world
Simply put, Ruthie said, "Coffee. Simple things like coffee, probably a nice pillow. I think it will be simple luxuries like that, rather than a cheeseburger, which you know, you're going to miss anyway I reckon.
"Everybody probably puts on a stone when they come out, because you've had nothing. Apparently, everyone looks wonderful as well, clear-eyed, and because they've just been eating beans and rice. But I would imagine you eat for England for the next two or three weeks."
Ruthie reveals which I'm A Celeb trial she's most afraid of
Ruthie told us, "Definitely the eating thing. Definitely. Yeah, we don't want to talk about my gag reflex! I think I'm alright with creepy crawlies, but you never know until you're in that situation.
"I mean, if there's one in my house, I'm not particularly adult about it, you know, I do get like a squealing child. I'm not thinking too far ahead, because there are certain trials that you get to do and there are certain trials you don't get to do - you don't get to do them all."
We cannot wait to see more of Ruthie on I'm A Celeb!
Scroll through to see who has won I'm A Celeb! in the past:
1. Tony Blackburn
Tony Blackburn was the first celebrity to win the show back in 2002.
2. Phil Tufnell
England cricketer Phil Tufnell won the show with his hilarious personality in 2003.
3. Kerry Katona
Kerry Katona was the first woman to win the show in 2004.
4. Joe Pasquale
Joe Pasquale won the show when it returned later in the year of 2004.
5. Carol Thatcher
Journalist Carol Thatcher won the show in 2005 when she beat soap stars Sheree Murphy and Sid Owen.
6. Matt Willis
Busted member Matt Willis was a popular winner in 2006.
7. Christopher Biggins
Lovable Biggins shared the jungle with the likes of Katie Hopkins and Janice Dickinson and went on to win the show in 2007.
8. Joe Swash
Cheeky chap Joe Swash swapped EastEnders for the jungle and won the show in 2008.
9. Gino D'Acampo
The nation fell in love with Gino in 2009.
10. Stacey Solomon
After showing off her bubbly personality on The X Factor, Stacey Solomon entered the jungle and won the show in 2010.
11. Dougie Poynter
McFly guitarist Dougie Poynter was crowned King of the Jungle ahead of TOWIE's Mark Wright in 2011.
12. Charlie Brooks
EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks couldn't believe it when Ant and Dec announced her as the winner in 2012.
13. Kian Egan
After 22 days in the jungle, Westlife star Kian Egan was crowned the King in 2013.
14. Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty
Retired world super bike racer Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty won over the viewing public in 2014.
15. Vicky Pattison
Vicky Pattison showed a different side to her usual Geordie Shore antics, winning over the public and being crowned Queen of the Jungle.
16. Scarlett Moffatt
Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt was crowned Queen of the Jungle after winning the show in 2016.
17. Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo
Made In Chelsea star Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo won the show in 2017 after beating Jamie Lomas.
18. Harry Redknapp
Former football manager Harry Redknapp is the current King of the Jungle after beating Emily Atack in 2018.
19. Jacqueline Jossa
Despite the likes of Ian Wright and Caitlyn Jenner signing up for the 2019 series, it was former EastEnders actress Jac Jossa who was crowned Queen of the Jungle, beating Coronation Street's Andy Whyment in the final.
20. Giovanna Fletcher
Podcaster Giovanna Fletcher became the first ever Queen of the Castle in 2020, going up against the likes of Shane Richie, Vernon Kay and Mo Farah!
21. Danny Miller
Emmerdale actor Danny Miller became the first ever KING of the Castle in 2021 after a hectic series. He went up against the likes of David Ginola, Simon Gregson and Frankie Bridge!
22. Jill Scott MBE
Former England footballer Jill Scott MBE topped her amazing year off by being crowned the Queen of the Jungle in November 2022. Jill won the show ahead of Owen Warner and Matt Hancock.
23. Sam Thompson
Radio presenter and TV personality Sam Thompson took the crown in 2023, winning the public's hearts and votes ahead of Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage.
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Ruthie Henshall shows no fear in first I'm A Celeb trial
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