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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

Boy George 'to become highest paid I'm A Celeb contestant' as he 'signs up to show'

Boy George has reportedly signed up to appear in the new series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The Karma Chameleon hit singer, 61, is said to have secured the highest pay cheque in the show's history – with ITV bosses reportedly excited to have signed the star.

An ITV source reportedly told how the latest signing to the new series, which will take place in Australia for the first time since 2019, is "beyond exciting" for the channel.

Bosses reportedly also have "no doubt" Boy George will "draw in viewers" as he's a global superstar.

Culture Club star Boy George is also said to be "hugely popular" in Australia, which makes him the "perfect addition" as the show heads back Down Under.

Boy George has reportedly signed up to the new series of I'm A Celeb (Getty Images)

The series was filmed at Gwrych Castle in Wales for the 2020 and 2021 stints due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

An ITV source told the Mail Online : "It’s been a long time since we had a huge global star film the show and he will no doubt draw viewers.

"He’s also hugely popular in Australia and with the show leaving Wales and heading back down under, he’s the perfect addition."

Culture Club icon Boy George is reportedly expected to draw in viewers (Dave Benett/Getty Images for DKMS)
Boy George has reportedly secured the highest pay cheque in the show's history (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

They added: "He has also been secured the highest pay check in the history of the show – close to £900,000."

Insiders have reportedly told the publication they "can't wait" for filming to begin, which is due to kick off in November.

Meanwhile the source shared their confidence Boy George could win the series as they added: "He’s a national treasure and we have no doubt viewers will make him king of jungle."

Hollyoaks star Owen Warner is also tipped to appear on I'm A Celeb 2022 (INSTAGRAM)

Mirror has contacted ITV and Boy George's representatives for comment.

In April, Boy George joked he would take part in the series if there was a "vegan version" of the series as he performed on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

The Culture Club icon isn't the only star rumoured to be taking part in this year's series as Owen Warner has also been said to have signed up.

Meanwhile, I'm A Celeb fans will be treated to another fix of the series as Ant and Dec confirmed the show are creating I'm A Celeb All Stars, with favourites from the previous series will return to camp – which is set in South Africa for the spin-off.

Iconic duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly confirmed they were filming the ITV spin-off in South Africa as they posted a video on Instagram.

In the caption, they announced: "South Africaaaaaaa! That's right, we're filming a very special version of I'm A Celebrity in South Africa which is coming to your tellies in 2023. #ImACeleb".

Ant and Dec will of course be hosting the programme, which will feature 15 legends from throughout the show's history.

Amongst the record number of campmates, previous winners TV personality Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo, ex-cricketer and A Question Of Sport captain Phil Tufnell and former EastEnders star Joe Swash are taking part.

Other big names reported include Coronation Street babe Helen Flanagan and singer/presenter Myleene Klass - both of whom sent temperatures soaring during their steamy shower scenes in the Australian jungle in their respective series.

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