'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' 2018: Who's going in the jungle? When does it start?

We’ve had Celebrity Big Brother and we are already deep into this year’s X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing.

But perhaps the biggest competition show of 2018 has yet to begin. I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! that is. With Ant McPartlin stepping down as host after his public battle with alcoholism, more eyes are on the upcoming series than ever.

But when does it start? Who’s rumoured to be going in the jungle? And who will be this year’s hosts? Here’s all you need to know about I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! 2018…

Who are hosting this year?

Declan Donnelly will return to host this year’s I’m a Celeb and Holly Willoughby has been confirmed as Ant McPartlin’s replacement.

Willoughby said on joining this year’s series: “I couldn’t be more excited to have been asked to stand alongside Dec for the next jungle adventure. I love Ant and want to send him my best wishes and support for a continued recovery.”

When does it start?

There is no confirmation date yet for the start of this year’s I’m a Celeb but given that it typically runs up to early December we predict a mid-November start.

Who’s going into the jungle?

The 2018 I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! line-up has yet to be officially confirmed. However, the following celebrities are already rumoured to be heading to the Aussie jungle…

Nick Knowles

56-year-old DIY SOS host Nick Knowles is rumoured to be the first I’m a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here! contestant signed up this year. According to The Sun ITV bosses are delighted to scoop the presenter, especially as he’s on friendly terms with Prince William and Prince Harry.

“Jungle bosses are delighted they’ve managed to convince Nick to take part.

They think he’ll be a great campmate and will be full of stories about his famous pals, including the princes. He’s a really well-connected bloke,” Knowles said.

Stephanie Waring

Hollyoaks actress Stephanie Waring has said she’s keen to join this year’s jungle line-up. The 39-year-old told Manchester Evening News:

“I’ve always wanted to do the jungle. I’m scared of everything but I’d like to be in Australia.

“There are no pressures from the outside world, no TVs and no phones and I think it’s a real test of inner strength which has always appealed to me,” Waring said.

Brendan Cole

Strictly fans were shook when it was announced that fan favourite Brendan Cole would not be appearing on this year’s show. Rumours spread like wildfire that Cole would be swapping the dance floor for the jungle but a quick look at Cole’s website and it looks like he’s booked up ’til the end of year with various public appearances and shows.

Nigel Farage

Would UKIP politician Nigel Farage really go into the jungle? The rumour mills certainly think so -and we have to admit getting him on the show would be a huge coup for ITV. However, just this August Farage told Jeremy Kyle he’d only consider appearing on I’m a Celebrity once Britain had left the EU:

“Once we’re a free independent country charting our own course and I’m completely out of the grubby world of politics, who knows what I might do?” he said.

The man who so many love to hate would surely draw in many curious viewers, and he may try to use it as PR stunt to show the world ‘the real him.’

Alexandra Cane

Alexandra Cane may have not found lasting love with Dr Alex on this year’s Love Island but she became a fast fan favourite.

Typically former Love Island contestants don’t make it to the Aussie jungle – but Cane told Metro she’s determined to change this.

“I know I’m A Celeb don’t like Love Island people but I’m determined! I will go on that show because I love everything they get involved in…

“I love a bit of danger. I love snakes and I don’t mind spiders so I think I’d be really good on the show. I’d win everyone meals in the camp. Lara Croft vibes!” Cane said.

Ronnie O’Sullivan

Eccentric snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan would certainly provide excellent viewing entertainment. He told BBC sport last year he’d ‘love’ to join this year’s series.

The legendary snooker player has gained headlines more for his unpredictable behaviour in recent years than his sportsmanship – which should guarantee some surprising I’m a Celeb moments.

Jamie Laing

Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing is known for his extreme poshness and luxury lifestyle, so it would certainly be interesting to see how well he’d fare in the jungle down under. He’s also friends and former co-star with last year’s winner, Georgia Toffolo, which should help convince the ITV producers.

Rosie Marcel

Holby City actress Rosie Marcel, who stars as Jac Naylor on the soap, revealed to the Radio Times that she’s ‘in meetings’ to be on this year’s I’m a Celebrity.

“I’ve had a couple of meetings. I have spoken to them, it is something I would love to do actually. I think for me it would be an amazing challenge,” she said.

Shayne Ward

Former Coronation Street actor and X Factor winner Shayne Ward is an almost certain choice for this year’s I’m a Celeb. Having just left the cobbles, entering the incredibly popular reality series would be an obvious next career step for Ward.

Rita Simons

Rita Simons, who played Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders between 2007-2017, is reportedly eyeing her next career move as a stint on I’m a Celebrity.

The 41-year-old actress is niece to Lord Alan Sugar and a source told The Sun:

“Rita was one of the most recognisable faces in soap before her character was tragically axed. She is yet to venture into the world of reality TV so it will be a massive coup for ITV to secure her.”

Olivia Attwood

Olivia Attwood may not have won 2017’s Love Island but she was a breakout star and has a huge Instagram following of 1.6 million. We could definitely see ITV bringing her onto the show to encourage younger viewers to tune in this year.

Sam Smith

We’d have thought pop star Sam Smith would be too big for the show, but some of his fans are convinced he’s about to join the show. In August Smith mysteriously tweeted: “I wanna go camping so badly at the moment. No idea why” which prompted many of his fans to assume he was cryptically confirming an upcoming I’m a Celebrity appearance.

Kate Garraway

According to The Sun veteran television presenter and Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway is in talks to sign up for I’m a Celeb. And the report says she could be up for a massive payday as big as £150,000.

Dani Dyer

Dani Dyer became known as far more than simply Danny Dyer’s daughter when she won this year’s Love Island. Earning a huge fan following, her bubbly and sweet personality would surely make her a perfect candidate for competing in yet another ITV reality series.

Kieran Hayler

Kieran Hayler, the estranged third husband of Katie Price, was rumoured to be going into the Celebrity Big Brother house this year. But alas, it was not meant to be. Rumours are now swirling that he will be entering an even bigger show – I’m a Celebrity – and is set to spill the beans on his chaotic relationship with the Pricey.

Michael Le Vell

There’s typically at least one soap actor every year on I’m a Celeb and veteran Coronation Street Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster) is one of the soap actors tipped for this year. Earlier this year Le Vell declared bankruptcy, claiming he’d run out of money after facing £200k in legal bills following being cleared of child sex abuse in 2013.

Catherine Tyldesley

Another Corrie actress, Catherine Tyldesley is about to leave the soap and we think I’m a Celeb could easily be calling her name. Known for her healthy living lifestyle and outgoing personality, she surely has what it takes to do well in the jungle.

Who’s returning this year?

It’s not unknown for past competitors to reappear in the jungle, and this year is rumoured to be no exception. Both Gemma Collins, who famously quit the 2014 series and Jack Maynard, who was forced off the show after his gay slurs were revealed, are rumoured to be heading back to the jungle this year to redeem themselves.

Read more
Holly Willoughby reveals what she fears most about I’m a Celebrity
Ant McPartlin will return to TV eventually, ITV boss confirms
Ant McPartlin pleads guilty to drink-drive offence