First I’m A Celebrity contestant pictured at airport ahead of star-studded new series

The trek to the Australian jungle has begun… for one celebrity at least (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) The first of this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! contestants has been pictured, bags packed and ready to go. ITV’s hit reality series will return for its 26th season this month, with a fresh set of famous faces headed to the Australian jungle. As usual, it’ll be hosted by Ant and Dec, pitting its celebrity contingent against all manner of stomach-churning, toe-curling Bushtucker Trials. Last year’s series saw content creator Angry Ginge emerge as the latest King of the Jungle, fending off Tom Read Wilson and Shona McGarty to take the crown. And the next set of names are believed to be some of the biggest yet, with Keith Lemon himself – Leigh Francis when he’s at home – making camp alongside Joanna Page, AJ Odudu and more. Get personalised updates on I'm A Celeb Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. They’ll be joining former English football star Wayne Rooney Down Under, pictured at an airport in Manchester ahead of the competition’s kick-off date. Wayne Rooney is headed to Australia for his I’m A Celebrity debut (Picture: Eamonn & James Clarke) Wayne was joined for the journey by his manager, Paul Stretford (Picture: Eamonn & James Clarke) Snaps show Wayne at Manchester Airport on Sunday morning, set to head for Australia via Singapore. Earlier this year, a source described Wayne as ‘the biggest signing in the show’s history’. They told The Sun on Sunday: ‘ITV have been in negotiations with him for some time and are thrilled that they’ve reached this stage. ‘Wayne wants to show their sons what their dad can do and has joked he’ll be giving Coleen a run for her money.’ Wife Coleen famously appeared on the show in 2024, finishing second behind winner Danny Jones. ‘He is really competitive and hates losing, so will give I’m A Celebrity his all,’ finished the tabloid’s source, adding that Coleen was ‘backing him all the way’. Wayne’s wife, Coleen, is said to be behind the footballer (Picture: ITV) Coleen appeared on the show in 2024 (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) An ITV spokesperson previously told Metro that ‘any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! are just speculation’, while Wayne told This Morning that viewers would have to ‘wait and see’ whether the rumours were true. Those rumours apparently bearing fruit, Wayne has emerged as the bookies’ early favourite to win the competition… even if we’re a little more dubious. Wayne faces stiff competition from Gavin and Stacey star Joanna, who’s received odds of 4/1 to take the jungle crown when all’s said and done. The Welsh actress is no stranger to competition, scoring a mighty bust of Greg Davies’ head after winning series 21 of Taskmaster this year. An insider told The Sun: ‘I’m A Celeb bosses would love to get her in the jungle so the public can get to know the real Joanna. ‘She has confided in friends that she’s really keen to take part and wants to go on and make her children proud.’ To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video With Wayne and Joanna emerging as early favourites, they’re believed to be facing off against comedian Leigh, Big Brother host AJ, and the Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson. It’s claimed that they’ll join sports personality Ade Adepitan, YouTuber Sharky, Love Island star Chloe Burrows, journalist Mariella Frostrup, model Leomie Anderson, soap legend Claire Sweeney and comedian Jack Skipper in the full line-up. The show will return to ITV on Monday, November 16. Also returning is the spin-off show I’m A Celebrity… Unpacked, which will air live on ITV2, hosted by Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers. Sam and Kemi will be replacing comedian Joel Dommett (who lost to Joanna in said series of Taskmaster!) as the host of Unpacked, following his retirement after two series. It’s expected that they’ll join a rotating panel of guests after the main show airs to run through the events of each episode. Stephen Mulhern will be joining chums Ant and Dec in the jungle (Picture: ITV) This line-up is set to include Stephen Mulhern, who’ll join his former Saturday Night Takeaway pals in the Australian jungle. A source told The Sun: ‘Stephen is buzzing to be taking part in the show for the first time. He can’t wait to hang out with Ant and Dec Down Under.’ According to the tabloid’s insider, producers are also hoping to get him to do a Bushtucker Trial for the show’s socials. They added: ‘Stephen was a big part of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and, since that’s been off air, they’ve missed working with him. ‘Ant and Dec are very loyal and always like to celebrate talent and be loyal to their friends.’ Deals of the Day The Orlando holiday deal Disney fans shouldn't miss We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday These Simba Black Friday deals are too good for tired shoppers to ignore I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! returns on Monday, November 16, on ITV, ITVX, STV, and STV Player. 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