With the 20th series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! kicking off in just a matter of days on Sunday 15 November, ITV have confirmed the ten celeb contestants heading into camp including soap legends Shane Richie and Beverley Callard, Olympic hero Mo Farah and BBC news presenter Victoria Derbyshire among others.
But according to reports, I’m A Celeb bosses have snapped up a secret eleventh celeb, who is said to be waiting in the wings in case one of the original campmates drop out, after it was claimed that AJ Pritchard tested positive for coronavirus.
Professional footballer and singer-songwriter Chelcee Grimes, who previously dated Love Island’s Megan Barton Hanson, has reportedly spent the last two weeks self-isolating in North Wales and is ready to step in if needed.
The line-up of celebrities taking part in the show are all currently in quarantine ahead of filming, which is scheduled to begin later this week, and are regularly being tested for COVID-19. It was reported over the weekend that the show was “in jeopardy” when former Strictly Come Dancing star AJ tested positive.
A TV insider explained, “All of the celebrities are being tested regularly as part of ITV’s plans to make sure the show goes ahead. They’re taking zero risks and AJ will be tested again in the coming days.
“If that comes back negative he’ll start filming at the end of the week as planned, if it comes back positive again they still have a few days to play with, so everyone is quite calm at this point.”
CHECK OUT the official I'm A Celeb 2020 line-up
I'm A Celeb 2020 official line-up
1 of 12Vernon Kay
TV presenter Vernon Kay has finally agreed to take part in I'm A Celeb after being approached by producers multiple times. He says his daughters Phoebe and Amber are the reason he's doing the show, although we're sure his reported £250k fee has something to do with it too...
2 of 12Victoria Derbyshire
BBC news presenter Victoria Derbyshire has signed up for I'm A Celeb as beating breast cancer has made her determined to take on new challenges. She says, "I am now saying 'yes' to stuff I wouldn't have done previously. And, if I don't do my boys proud, I will never live it down!"
3 of 12Shane Richie
EastEnders legend Shane Richie, who played Alfie Moon on the BBC One soap, has been keeping his involvement in I'm A Celeb secret since January, when he first agreed to take part. He says his biggest phobia is human faeces - guess he won't be signing up to empty the dunny then.
4 of 12Hollie Arnold
Although Paralympian Hollie Arnold is used to racking up the medals on the athletics track, she's admitted she's not even thought about the possibility of winning I'm A Celeb. She explains, "I haven't thought about it as you get lost in thought. But if I could get that far, it would be incredible and change my life!"
5 of 12Jordan North
Radio 1 DJ Jordan North says he has "so many phobias" but is looking forward to heading into camp as he gets to meet his childhood heroes Ant and Dec.
6 of 12Beverley Callard
Beverley Callard has played Coronation Street icon Liz McDonald on and off for more than 30 years but she says the biggest misconception about her is that she's as glamorous as her on-screen character. "I hate being dressed up and I don't care if my nails break either! I am quite at home in comfy baggy clothes," she says.
7 of 12AJ Pritchard
Professional dancer AJ Pritchard says, "Doing I'm A Celebrity is a childhood dream come true," and couldn't help but throw a little shade at Strictly Come Dancing after quitting the show, adding, "I was so excited to watch the return of Strictly this Autumn but now I am going to be on an even better show! I can't wait!"
8 of 12Giovanna Fletcher
Although author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher will miss the three children she shares her husband Tom, of McFly fame, she says, "I know it is something we can talk about for years to come and say 'remember when mum did that thing!'"
9 of 12Mo Farah
Although he's known for his massive success on the running track, Olympic hero Mo Farah says, "It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running." He reckons his role in camp will be the cook.
10 of 12Jessica Plummer
Former EastEnders actress Jessica Plummer admits it will be hard to give up her luxuries and live in the camp's basic conditions but she's hoping taking part in I'm A Celeb will help her cure her phobias. She says, "I have got all the phobias. When my friends see me too, they are going to say 'what the hell? This doesn't make sense!"
11 of 12Ruthie Henshall
West End and Broadway actress Ruthie Henshall is the first of two late entrants heading into camp this year.
12 of 12Russell Watson
Opera singer Russell Watson will be joining Ruthie as the second late entrant.
“ITV have always been prepared in case of one, or more, dropouts so have had Chelcee and others ready to go. She’s been squirreled away in a cottage nearby just in case she’s needed,” they added to The Sun.
An ITV spokesperson confirmed that one member of the cast had received a positive coronavirus test and added, “That individual is self-isolating where we are giving them all the support that they need.
“I’m A Celebrity has robust health and safety measures and protocols in place in order to operate safely within Covid-19 guidelines.”
WATCH 'I didn't say which ex': Curtis & AJ Pritchard play Who's Most Likely To?
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After he was confirmed to be taking part in this year’s show, AJ revealed appearing on I’m A Celeb was “a childhood dream come true”.
The professional dancer couldn’t help but throw some shade at Strictly after he quit the show earlier this year as he added, “I was so excited to watch the return of Strictly this Autumn but now I am going to be on an even better show! I can’t wait!”
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AJ continued, “I think my friends from Strictly like Neil [Jones] and Janette [Manrara] are going to watch, which is really nice. They have always known how much I have wanted to do this programme as I have talked about it all the time!”