Celebrity X Factor: Will Vinnie Jones be taking part in the series?

After weeks of hype from ITV, X Factor: Celebrity arrived on our screens last week.

The series began with a handful of stars wowing the judges by stepping out of their usual positions as actors, journalists and quizzers to take centre stage as pop stars.

Martin Bashir, Jenny Ryan and Hayley Hasselhoff won over fans with their eclectic and emotionally charged performances at judge Simon Cowell’s mansion.

But one of the most-talked about celebrities was missing from the first episode.

Vinnie Jones' appearance on the show had been teased heavily by ITV - with the actor featured in a trailer for the programme and tagged in tweets - before being listed in the credits of Saturday night's episode.

Sadly, having suffered a personal tragedy earlier this year, the footballer-turned-actor was absent from the initial audition stage.

So is the Watford native going to be in later episodes? Here’s everything we know so far…

When was he first set to appear on the show?

In a teaser trailer, Jones’ side profile was seen as he stepped out of a black SUV. Sources later confirmed to The Sun that he was due to take part in the show.

However, when the official photographs of the contestants were released, Jones was not in the line – up. He was also absent from the series launch earlier this month.

What’s happened since?

The first episode included auditions, filmed earlier this summer, included the likes of Kevin McHale, social media stars Max & Harvey and the Love Islanders – Eyal Booker, Samira Mighty, Zara McDermott and Wes Nelson.

Next week's episode will see the remainder of the celebrity contestants audition.

However, many fans also noticed Jones' name appeared on the credits.

What will happen now?

After the show aired, viewers began questioning whether or not Jones would appear on the show on Twitter.

The Mirror last week claimed that Jones had vowed to take part in the live show in the coming weeks and win the competition in memory of his late wife, Tanya, who died in July after battling melanoma.

He appeared to address the rumours on Good Morning Britain on Monday - but ITV bosses are yet to confirm what is happening.

Speaking about his appearance, he told hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: “Even the talk of the X Factor stuff, she loves the X Factor, she [Tanya] wanted me to do it, that was her dream. Whether I do it or not it doesn’t matter, there’s other ways I can fulfil her dream and her legacy."

While the audition stages have been filmed, Jones could still appear in the live shows later this year.

X Factor: Celebrity bosses are yet to address whether Jones will appear later in the series. Standard Online has contacted ITV and Jones' representative for comment.

The X Factor: Celebrity returns to ITV at 8.30pm on Saturday

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