Wayne Rooney faces his biggest fear with helicopter jump for I'm A Celebrity

Former England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has gone all in for ITV reality show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!: in the opening sequence he jumps from a helicopter and lands on Surfers Paradise beach on Australia's Gold Coast. Rooney said overcoming his fear of heights is his biggest challenge on the show — he has previously failed to board a plane for a skydive three times because he was afraid.

"Coaching hasn't gone great, and I've got time on my hands"

Rooney, 41, has managed Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle since moving into coaching in 2020. He joked that he joined the show because coaching "hasn't gone great" and he has time on his hands. The series premieres on Monday, November 16. He is reported to be the highest-paid campmate this series, on about £800,000.

Wife Coleen passes on jungle survival tips

Rooney's wife Coleen finished runner-up on the show in 2024, and has given him plenty of jungle survival advice. Rooney said he is most looking forward to spending time with his fellow campmates, and hopes viewers see the real him: "I like a laugh, I talk a lot, I hope people think I'm genuine."

A 12-strong line-up, with the show's first wheelchair user

The 12 campmates also include Gavin & Stacey actor Joanna Page, Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson and supermodel Leomie Anderson; Paralympic basketball player Ade Adepitan will become the first wheelchair user to take part in the show's 24-year history. Sources: LADbible; BritBrief.