I'm a Celebrity stars Myleene Klass and Shaun Ryder are just some of the stars lined up to take part in a new South African version of the ITV show. The star-studded spin-off could also feature legendary I'm a Celeb alumni Gillian McKeith and Paul Burrell.
ITV bosses are reportedly thrilled to be securing potential deals with former campmates McKeith and Ryder – who famously did not get on well when last in the jungle. And more celebs are reportedly clamouring to get involved.
One insider said: “There are plenty who weren’t too scarred by the whole experience to give it another go with a bunch of different campmates.” Musician Klass, 44, unwittingly created one of the show’s most memorable moments as she showered in a white bikini in 2006.
She went on to finish as runner-up on the show and said afterwards: “The offers following my bikini moment, from modelling to more, were just staggering. I’d say to any girl, ‘Go into the jungle’. It worked for me.”
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Former royal butler Burrell, 64, also caused a stir on the show, thanks to his comedic screaming and face-pulling during the Hell Hole Bushtucker Trial in 2004. Show host Declan Donnelly later said the challenge, in which a whimpering Burrell had to put his hand in a box filled with spiders, cockroaches and rats, had the production team in stitches.
Co-host Ant McPartlin agreed and said: “The guy on the hand-held camera had to pass it to his assistant because his shoulders were shaking so much.” Burrell also came second on the show.
Nutritionist McKeith appeared in 2010 alongside Happy Mondays frontman Ryder. The You Are What You Eat presenter famously fainted after the public voted for her to take part in a trial after she had already done several others.
She claimed it affected her health and said: “Since that jungle trial where I was buried under the ground in a coffin and rats landed on me, every time I go into a small space like a lift I feel like I’m going to start screaming.”
Despite this, the 62-year-old is understood to be appearing in the spin-off. Ryder, 59, who finished as runner-up, claimed he got on with everyone in camp – except McKeith.
On the show, as they sat in freezing cold water, viewers heard him tell her: “You’re a f***ing irritating woman.” Hosts Ant and Dec are on board for the two-week spin-off, which is due to air next year. It will be pre-recorded at the Kruger National Park in September.
Without a live audience to decide who does the Bushtucker Trials, the celebrities will have to vote for each other. Boxer Amir Khan is among the stars rumoured to be taking part. Helen Flanagan and Stacey Solomon are also thought to be in talks with ITV.
It is thought the spin-off will give bosses a back-up plan in case Covid ruins the broadcaster’s plan to take the regular show back to Australia.
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