As the Australian bushland prepares to welcome its latest batch of famous faces, ITV is pulling out all the stops to ensure the upcoming series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! lives up to expectations.
With Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly confirmed to reprise their hosting duties for the show’s 26th installment, speculation is mounting about which celebrities will swap their comfortable lives for rice and beans in the outback. The pressure is on more than ever, with the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors pulling in an impressive lineup for its second season later this year.
The previous series made headlines for the most dramatic campmate showdown in reality television history, when a fallout between Adam Thomas and Jimmy Bullard tested even the composure of Ant and Dec themselves. Now, producers are seemingly hoping for equally explosive viewing – and the rumoured roster suggests they might just get it.
Big Brother’s AJ Odudu Could Make Shock Jungle Debut
Among the more unexpected names circling the rumour mill is AJ Odudu, the face of Big Brother’s upcoming revival on ITV. With the reality franchise returning to screens later this month and wrapping just one week before I’m a Celebrity kicks off, the timing appears perfect for a jungle cameo.
According to sources close to the presenter, Odudu has “put herself into the frame” for an appearance. One insider revealed she is “keen as mustard” to take part, having already held early discussions with show bosses and confirmed her availability for the required filming dates.
Her potential involvement comes as her co-host Will Best prepares to compete in Strictly Come Dancing next year, creating an intriguing crossover between ITV’s reality properties.
Trailblazers and Tempters: From Paralympians to Olympic Champions
Paralympian Ade Adepitan has emerged as a frontrunner, with producers reportedly exploring ways to make the jungle accessible for the 53-year-old wheelchairs user. Should he sign on the dotted line, Adepitan would make history as the first contestant to compete in a wheelchair, following in the footsteps of fellow Paralympians Hollie Arnold and Kadeena Cox who previously took part.
Sources suggest show bosses are “really keen to make it work”, with one adding: “They think his infectious larger-than-life personality would make him a perfect campmate for the new series.” Adepitan contracted polio as a child, leaving him with a disability that has never stopped him from living life to the fullest.
Meanwhile, Olympic champion Christopher Dean – one half of the legendary ice skating duo Torvill & Dean – is said to be weighing up a move to the jungle following the cancellation of Dancing on Ice in 2025. At 67, and with producers apparently having pursued him for several years, Dean’s recent retirement from competitive skating makes him a prime candidate for a new challenge. Insiders claim he is “looking for a new challenge”.
Reality Stars, Pop Icons and Second Chances
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova is also rumoured to be swapping the sequins for snakes, with her departure from the BBC ballroom series apparently freeing up her schedule. However, the 36-year-old dancer has muddied the waters by suggesting she may still be involved with Strictly in a behind-the-scenes capacity, leaving her participation far from confirmed.
Bringing a dose of Noughties nostalgia to proceedings could be Su-Elise Nash, the Mis-Teeq star who will reunite with bandmates Alesha Dixon and Sabrina Washington for a one-off television special in September. An insider notes that “the timing couldn’t be better” for Nash to then jet off to Australia, with the reunion potentially serving as a launchpad for her jungle adventure.
Former Love Island favourite Olivia Attwood continues to crop up on speculation lists, three years after she was forced to abandon her 2022 stint after just 24 hours. The 35-year-old left the show “as a precautionary measure” to undergo medical checks, and has since hinted she would return if her schedule allowed.
Could this finally be the year she completes what she started?
Sports Stars and Street Dancers Enter the Frame
With Ben Stokes calling time on his cricketing career in June, the England Test captain has quickly emerged as a frontrunner to become this year’s sporting representative. The 35-year-old’s retirement has made him one of the bookmakers’ favourites for a jungle appearance, though no concrete talks have been confirmed.
Perri Kiely, meanwhile, appears to be warming to the idea of competing. The Diversity performer and former KISS radio presenter, now 30, has turned down multiple offers over the years but told podcast Brothers Uncovered earlier this year that he would accept a invitation “if his schedule permitted”.
Whether producers make that call remains to be seen.
Why It Matters
The rumoured lineup for I’m a Celebrity 2026 reflects a broader shift in reality television casting, with producers increasingly prioritising diverse backgrounds and compelling personal stories over pure celebrity status. Adepitan’s potential involvement, in particular, would send a powerful message about inclusivity in mainstream entertainment, while the inclusion of Olympic champions and sporting legends suggests the show is evolving beyond its traditional reality TV fare. With the BBC’s Celebrity Traisters raising the bar for celebrity reality programmes, ITV’s flagship survival show must deliver a lineup worthy of the hype – and, if these rumours prove accurate, the channel appears ready to meet that challenge head-on.
