I’m A Celebrity 2026’s highest-paid star isn’t getting as much as you’d think

| Senior TV Reporter Published November 4, 2026 12:04pm Updated November 4, 2026 12:04pm I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! returns next month for the 2026 series (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock) I’m A Celebrity is reportedly set to pay Wayne Rooney the highest sum for appearing in the 2026 series. But his fee isn’t as high as some of the eye-watering sums ITV has reportedly handed out to campmates in previous years, including to his wife Coleen Rooney. The former football star is said to be banking a six-figure sum for his upcoming stint in the jungle, which kicks off on November 16. Rooney is reportedly hoping to impress his four sons with his performance in the show’s infamous Bushtucker Trials – and is considered one of the programme’s biggest signings. A source told The Sun: ‘Wayne Rooney is the biggest name in there, and has landed the biggest pay cheque. 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. ‘He’s banked a chunky six-figure sum for his time in the jungle – and ITV were happy to pay to get him on board!’ Wayne Rooney is said to be one of the famous faces heading into the jungle this year (Picture: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) Coleen Rooney finished in second place in the 2024 series (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock) The 41-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his wife Coleen, who finished as a runner-up in the 2024 series and was reportedly paid a whopping £1.5million for her appearance in the jungle, off the back of the headline-grabbing Wagatha Christie trial. It was the same sum ITV is said to have paid Reform leader Nigel Farage for his appearance on I’m A Celebrity in 2023, in which he finished in third place. Rooney is one of several high-profile names who have reportedly signed on to the upcoming series of the creepy-crawly endurance trial reality show, with Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page also said to be on board. They will reportedly be joined in the jungle by Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson and Big Brother co-host AJ Odudu, as well as broadcaster Mariella Frostup and comedian Leigh Francis (also known as Keith Lemon). To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The last time I’m A Celebrity was on air was for that climactic All Stars finale (Picture: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/Shutterstock) Francis is someone who hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly previously said they were itching to throw into the jungle. They said on their Hanging Out podcast: ‘If we got Leigh Francis in the jungle… and we had to stand by and watch him do a trial, let’s try and make that happen.’ The 2025 series of the show was won by YouTuber and Twitch streamer Angry Ginge, whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle, with Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson finishing as runner-up. Metro contacted ITV and Wayne Rooney’s representative for comment. Deals of the Day QVC shoppers can save £159 on Elemis' biggest beauty gift set of the year This Hoover vacuum is a game-changer for pet owners and muddy homes The wellbeing brand behind everyone's favourite candles has launched its biggest sale yet See London's Christmas lights from an open-top double-decker bus this winter My skin always suffers when the heating goes on but this serum changed that I’m A Celebrity begins on November 16 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Arrow MORE: Lorraine Kelly pulled off air last minute as Good Morning Britain is extended Arrow MORE: Wayne Rooney names Man Utd star who Michael Carrick must drop for Shea Lacey Arrow MORE: Wayne Rooney slams Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United’s comeback win over Roma TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.