I’m A Celebrity contestants are set to be battered by freak storms and torrential rain as bad weather threatens to ‘ruin’ the series
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Extreme weather warnings and freak storms are causing disappointment on this year’s I’m A Celebrity, with show insiders expressing concern that the relentless rain will ‘dampen and ultimately ruin’ the series.
Celebrities including Coleen Rooney and TikTok star GK Barry are set to be hit by the persistent thunderstorms and wet weather hitting Australia’s Gold Coast.
A source close to the show said: ‘If the celebrities were in there right now they would drown.
‘That jungle camp can’t handle this amount of rain, everyone is keeping an eye on the weather and it really doesn’t look good for this series.
‘And the thing is: when it rains like that, it’s not fun for anyone involved. It dampens the atmosphere and ultimately ruins the show.”
Extreme weather warnings and freak storms are causing chaos on Im A Celebrity this year, as show insiders express concern that the rain will ‘dampen and ultimately ruin’ the series
Celebrities including Coleen Rooney and TikTok star, GK Barry, will be hit by the persistent thunderstorms and wet weather hitting Australia’s Gold Coast
The ten celebrities face filming challenges this week before they all enter the Jungle, but thunderstorms and rain are forecast all week in Coolangatta.
The wet weather conditions are so terrible that the flight carrying McFly’s Danny Jones and the reigning king of the jungle, Sam Thompson, had to circle Brisbane Airport for an hour because the runway was flooded.
Onward flights have been diverted to Sydney Airport for an hour and a half due to heavy rain in Brisbane, which is an hour’s drive from the I’m A Celebrity camp.
Persistent rainfall is taking its toll on the campmates’ morale as last year’s food critic Grace Dent, 51, and Britney Spears’ sister Jamie-Lynn both left the show early.
It was later revealed that Ms Spears had left after the campmates were forced to hide in the cramped Bush Telegraph hut for hours due to the severe wet weather.
If current conditions continue, it is likely that the celebrities will be evacuated for safety reasons, as we have seen in previous years.
In 2019, when Jacqueline Jossa won the series and Catlin Jenner took part, the camp had to be evacuated due to similar ‘torrential rains and storms’ and part of the show was cancelled.
Similarly, in 2015, evacuations were necessary because storms knocked out the camp’s power and cameras were out of action.
A source said: ‘If the celebrities were there now they would drown. ‘That jungle camp can’t handle this level of rain’ (2019 series stars pictured)
It comes as Coleen Rooney kicked off her long trip to Australia as she headed to the airport on Monday
It comes as Coleen Rooney kicked off her long trip to Australia as she headed to the airport on Monday.
The 38-year-old WAG – who is reportedly paid £1.5million – was spotted checking in at the counter as she prepared for a long flight before landing in Brisbane for the show.
In a special nod to her family, Coleen was seen wearing a gold chain with the names of her four sons: Kai, Kit, Klay and Cass.
Looking chic for her travels, Coleen wore a loose-fitting black blazer with a white pattern and matching trousers from Toteme.
I AM A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP
COLEEN ROONEY
Coleen Rooney rose to fame as the wife of footballer Wayne
AGE: 38
OCCUPANCY: WAG
FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.
Reports claim she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, surpassing Nigel Farage’s £1.5million last year.
MAURA HIGGINS
Maura Higgins became an instant TV favorite during her stint on Love Island
AGE: 33
OCCUPANCY: Television personality
FAMOUS FOR: Series five of Love Island (20190 and Dancing On Ice (2020).
Maura is said to have replaced Tommy Fury after he pulled out at the last minute.
OTI MABUSE
Oti Mabuse already has two Strictly glitter balls to her name
AGE: 34
OCCUPANCY: Professional dancer
FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known as a professional dancer in the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020.
DANNY JONES
Danny Jones is one of the bookmakers’ favorites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb
AGE: 38
OCCUPANCY: McFly singer
FAMOUS FOR: Danny is one of the lead singers and lead guitarist of pop-rock band McFly.
He is also a coach on The Voice UK.
BARRY MCGUIGAN
Former boxer Barry McGuigan heads into the jungle
AGE: 63
OCCUPANCY: Retired professional boxer
FAMOUS FOR: Nicknamed The Clones Cyclone, Barry held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986.
GK BARRY
GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women
AGE: 25
OCCUPANCY: TikTok star
FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle and fashion. She has more than 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel.
DEAN MCCULLOUGH
ITV bosses hope Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp
AGE: 32
OCCUPANCY: Radio 1 DJ
FAMOUS FOR: Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses in the hope he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.
Earlier this year it was announced that Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show after appearing earlier in the afternoon.
JANE MOORE
Jane takes up the challenge after her high-profile divorce from her husband
AGE: 62
OCCUPANCY: Journalist
FAMOUS FOR: Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002.
She returned as a permanent panel member in 2013.
Jane takes up the challenge following her high-profile divorce from husband of twenty years, showbiz agent Gary Farrow.
MELVIN ODOOM
AGE: 44
OCCUPANCY: DJ and TV presenter
FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.
He also had a primetime stint on Strictly in 2016.
REV RICHARD COLES
Richard’s last reality stint was when he took part in Strictly in 2017
AGE: 62
OCCUPANCY: Radio host
FAMOUS FOR: Richard is a former member of pop group The Communards.
They achieved three British top ten hits, including the number 1 album of Don’t Leave Me This Way.
ALAN HALSALL
Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street
AGE: 42
OCCUPANCY: Actor
FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year after undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery.
Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and he is sure to attract a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs in the soap.
TULISA
Tulisa is making a comeback in her career after reuniting with N-Dubz last year
AGE: 36
OCCUPANCY: Singer and former X Factor judge
FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz for a tour last year after first gaining fame with the band in 2007.
In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and launched her debut solo album, The Female Boss.
Last year she released her fourth album with N-Dubz.