Rumours are swirling around the upcoming 26th series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, with early reports pointing to a diverse lineup featuring rock stars, Paralympians, and TV presenters entering the Australian jungle. According to The Sun, ITV faces heightened pressure to deliver an impactful roster for the reality show’s return, especially given the high-caliber talent secured by the BBC for rival series The Celebrity Traitors.
Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will return to helm the program, which originally premiered in 2002. As speculation mounts ahead of the show’s expected autumn launch, several high-profile names have emerged in early reports.
Ricky Wilson Tied to Jungle Stint After Years of Declining Offers
According to The Sun, the singer and television personality has “always politely declined” past invitations from producers. Sources indicate that Wilson, who previously served as a coach on The Voice and hosts a program on Virgin Radio, has finally reversed his stance and is positioned to head into the camp.
AJ Odudu and Christopher Dean Eyeing Potential Stays
Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu has also surfaced as a prominent contender for the new series. According to The Sun, Odudu “put herself into the frame” for a jungle appearance, with an insider describing her as “keen as mustard.” Her schedule aligns with the production timeline, as the upcoming series of ITV’s Big Brother concludes just one week before I’m a Celebrity commences. Meanwhile, her co-host Will Best is competing on the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Christopher Dean, one-half of the Olympic figure skating duo Torvill & Dean, is another heavily rumored participant. Following the cancellation of Dancing on Ice in 2025, producers have reportedly renewed their pursuit of the 67-year-old athlete. According to industry reports, Dean’s retirement leaves him searching for a new challenge, making a jungle stint a viable next step.
Ade Adepitan and Nadiya Bychkova Rumored for ITV Lineup
Paralympian Ade Adepitan, 53, is reportedly in talks with producers regarding a historic camp appearance. According to The Sun, discussions involve collaborating with show bosses to adapt camp facilities for accessibility, which would make Adepitan the first star to enter the jungle in a wheelchair. An insider noted that production teams are “really keen to make it work,” praising his larger-than-life personality. Adepitan would follow previous Paralympian contestants Hollie Arnold and Kadeena Cox.
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova, 36, has also been linked to the roster following her departure from the BBC dance competition. However, Bychkova has publicly indicated she will maintain behind-the-scenes involvement with Strictly, somewhat distancing herself from the jungle speculation.
Su-Elise Nash Noughties Nostalgia Addition
Rounding out the early rumors is Su-Elise Nash, best known as a member of the noughties R&B girl group Mis-Teeq. According to reporting by The Sun, the 45-year-old singer is lined up for the jungle shortly after reuniting with bandmates Alesha Dixon and Sabrina Washington for a one-off performance.
ITV has not yet officially confirmed any contestants for the 2026 series, with the official lineup typically unveiled closer to the launch date in the autumn.
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