Wayne Rooney poised to join I’m A Celeb in show’s biggest ever signing two years after wife Coleen was runner-up

WAYNE Rooney is poised to sign up for I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! The former Manchester United and England star, 40, is in advanced talks to follow wife Coleen, who was runner-up on the ITV show in 2024. How Wayne Rooney might look on I’m A Celebrity this year as we reveal he’s in advanced talks to join the show Wayne is set to follow wife Coleen who was runner-up on the ITV show in 2024 Credit: Rex Insiders said Wayne is keen to impress his four sons by taking on the Bushtucker Trials Down Under, and would be the hit show’s biggest-ever signing. Ultra-competitive Wayne, now a TV pundit after stints at management, will also want to emulate the success of his wife Coleen, 40, who reached the final in 2024 Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Wayne is in advanced talks for I’m A Celebrity and if they secure him, he’ll be their biggest signing in the show’s history. “Coleen proved to be hugely popular when she took part two years ago and bosses think Wayne is going to match her success. READ MORE ON WAYNE ROONEY “ITV have been in negotiations with him for some time and are thrilled that they’ve reached this stage.” We understand that Coleen is likely to join Wayne in Australia for support alongside their youngest three sons — Klay, 13, Kit, ten, and eight-year-old Cass. Their eldest lad — 16-year-old Kai — signed a scholarship with Manchester United earlier this summer and may remain in the UK because of his training schedule. Wayne revealed he was a huge fan of I’m A Celebrity when his wife of 18 years starred in it two years ago. Most read in TV Insiders said Wayne is keen to impress his four sons by taking on the Bushtucker Trials Credit: instagram Coleen proved to be hugely popular when she took part on the show two years ago Credit: Rex He posted his support while she was in the jungle alongside campmates including McFly singer Danny Jones and former Love Island star Maura Higgins. He said he was “proud” of her — and urged the public to vote for her to do a trial. Insiders said Wayne was keen to do the show after seeing how much Coleen enjoyed it — and will be getting some helpful advice from his missus on how to cope. The source said: “Coleen had the best time in the jungle and made friends for life. England legend Wayne Rooney is being viewed as the biggest ever I’m A Celeb! signing Credit: AFP Wayne had previously joked about taking part in the show after Coleen’s successful stint Credit: Disney + “Wayne absolutely loved seeing her taking part and was beyond proud of how much she pushed herself. “They had joked about him ­taking part after her but now he’s keen to make it work. “Wayne wants to show their sons what their dad can do and has joked he’ll be giving Coleen a run for her money. “He is really competitive and hates losing so will give I’m A Celebrity his all. “It’s something Coleen thinks will be great for him too. “She’ll be backing him all the way and has been giving him hints and tips about life in the jungle.” Those close to Wayne said going on the Ant and Dec-hosted show would highlight his quick wit, as seen by BBC viewers when he lambasted the half-time show at this year’s World Cup final. A friend said: “Wayne is incredibly funny. If you watched his punditry during the World Cup, he’s incredibly knowledgeable but he doesn’t mince his words. Wayne and Coleen have recently given an insight into their life in his new Disney+ docuseries Credit: Disney + Coleen is likely to join Wayne in Australia for support alongside their youngest three sons Credit: Eroteme “He went viral after saying the half-time show was crap but that’s just Wayne. “He’s honest and hilarious at the same time. Wayne would be brilliant in the line-up.” Fans of the star, who is Manchester United’s record goalscorer, will first get an insight into his life in his new Disney+ docuseries. The Real Rooneys, which is available to stream from Thursday, will take fans inside Wayne and Coleen’s world for the first time. Coleen had previously suggested Wayne had the perfect personality for the jungle Credit: instagram Upcoming show The Real Rooneys will take fans inside Wayne and Coleen’s world for the first time. Credit: instagram In a new joint interview, Coleen suggested Wayne had the perfect personality for the jungle, although his impatience may be a drawback. She said: “Wayne’s funny and laid-back. He can be a charmer, but can have a short temper.” When asked what sparks his fuse, she replied: “He can be impatient, waiting around for things.” Wayne, who first met Coleen when they were kids, replied: “For you. When we’re getting up to go somewhere, I’m always early. If we’re getting picked up to go somewhere and we’re leaving the house at 6pm, I’ll be ready by 5.15-5.30.” Opening up about their relationship, the pair said they rarely rowed. Wayne said: “I can’t remember the last time. We’ve been on a good run lately, haven’t we? “We’ve not had a row for weeks and weeks. I’m never going to win the argument. “If I start arguing back, it will just continue, so I’m man enough to accept it — let her get it off her chest. I don’t think I’ve ever won an argument with her.” As well as Wayne, other stars approached this year include Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page, 49, TV presenter and former Paralympian Ade Adepitan, 53, and Kaiser Chiefs’ frontman Ricky Wilson, 48. Ex-Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, 35, and Love Islander Chloe Burrows, 30, are also in advanced talks. But landing Wayne would be a major coup. He shot to fame as a 16-year-old at Everton before signing for Man United, where his mammoth haul of trophies includes five Premier Leagues and a Champions League. Former football star Wayne is Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer Credit: Getty Rooney has recently been working for the BBC as a football pundit and has other projects lined up Credit: Getty Later came a move across the Atlantic to Washington with DC United before embarking on a career in management. There were spells at Derby County, DC United again, Birmingham and Plymouth, which he left in 2024. He then turned to punditry, landing a role on BBC’s Match of the Day last summer, and was a key part of the World Cup coverage over the summer. He also signed a big deal with the Beeb to host a podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, before his new Disney+ series with Coleen. On Friday, he scored another contract with the corporation for a new game show, called Can You Beat Wayne Rooney? The series, hosted by comedian Alex Brooker, will see Wayne taking on famous faces in a battle of football knowledge. He said: “Anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive. “Every guest will turn up thinking they can beat me and, honestly, I don’t like losing.” A spokesperson for ITV said: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! are just speculation.” 3 comments3