I'm a Celebrity.... Get me out of here!

[Rhodes]

It won’t have escaped your notice folks that I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here 2011 kicks off on Sunday evening with a star studded line up of contestants including iconic actress Stefanie Powers, Willie Carson, Fatima Whitbread, legendary comedian Freddie Starr and, wait for it, Lorraine ‘Luton Airport’ Chase. Fill your boots!

[Ian_W]

Press release from ITV was....

 

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! is back which can mean only one thing… the time has come for a brand new cast of celebrities to head down under and battle it out in TV’s toughest challenge.

 

Leaving their plush pads and luxuries far behind, our celebrity campers will spend up to three weeks taking on the harsh surroundings of the Australian jungle, and facing a host of nasty surprises created just for them.

 

The ten celebrities heading into the jungle for the new series are: Hollywood actress Stefanie Powers, The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, The Real Hustle actress and model Jessica Jane Clement, comedy legend Freddie Starr; Benidorm actress Crissy Rock, racing hero Willie Carson OBE, Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton, sporting hero Fatima Whitbread MBE, McFly hunk Dougie Poynter and actress Lorraine Chase.

 

Whoever does end up in the terrifying and legendary jungle camp will find themselves cut off from the outside world and praying the public doesn’t send them straight into a dreaded Bushtucker Trial.

 

As always, our BAFTA award winning hosts Ant and Dec, are back to present all the big stories live from the jungle every night in glorious HD.

 

Who will be crowned this year’s King or Queen of the Jungle? Find out only on ITV1 this Autumn.

 

And remember - I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here Now! is back every night on ITV2 after the ITV1 show.

 

Freddie Starr

Age: 68

Date of Birth: 9^th January 1943

Phobias: “I don’t like putting my hands in a hole and not knowing what is in there”.

Missing any special occasion? “No but I am going to miss my fiancée Sophie. We have never spent a day apart.”

Relationship status: Engaged

Freddie Starr may have made millions laugh over the years, but he also has another famous claim to fame –as the man at the centre of one of Britain’s legendary newspaper stories claiming he had eaten a hamster for lunch.

But the 68 year old, who was first discovered on Opportunity Knocks in the early 1970's, is adamant he won't be tucking into any live animals when he enters the jungle. Fish eyes and wigety grubs will, however, definitely be on the menu declares the comedian "its cruel to eat any live animal.” But the laughing star admits he is preparing himself for a lot of stick over the hamster story that first appeared in a national newspaper in 1986 under the famous headline “Freddie Starr ate my hamster” despite publicly denying he has ever eaten one.

“I didn’t eat a hamster but I know I am going to get some stick out of the hamster story even though it was a long time ago,” he says.

“People still do stop me in the street and shout ‘Freddie ate a hamster’. They ask me if I did when I am on stage too. I just give an answer you can’t print!

“I will play along with the hamster gag – I am expecting it.”

Freddie explains the main reason why he decided to take part in the show is to try and raise his profile again. The comedian, who hopes to launch a big nationwide stand-up tour next year, admits: “I am not going to lie. I am doing this to raise my profile. I want to get my profile up and anyone who says anything different is lying.

“But I also like the TV programme. I am a fan of the jungle and I always watch the show without fail.

“I want to try my best and have a laugh. Laughter is the love of my life.”

He says he will crack a few jokes around the campfire to entertain his fellow celebrities. “I would like some banter in the camp,” he says. “I don’t mind playing a few tricks either. It would be nice to have a laugh.”

But he admits it will take him a while to feel he can trust everybody in the camp. “There are so many sides to me,” he says. “I won’t let people near me. I put this façade up.”

Freddie hasn’t done anything to prepare himself for the jungle experience except mentally try and imagine what it will be like not having much food. He admits: “I am setting my mind to the fact I am going to feel hungry. But I haven’t done anything else. I am not really dreading anything. I don’t like putting my hands in a hole and not knowing what is in there.

“But if it’s going to happen, then I will shove them straight in and get the star out.”

For Freddie, the hardest thing about taking on the jungle show is, without a shadow of doubt, being apart from his fiancée Sophie. “We have never spent a day apart as we are together 24/7,” he says. “I don’t know how I am going to cope without her. Sophie is my rock. She is an angel. We’ve been friends for four years, but we only got together (romantically) after I had my heart attack last year. We’ve only recently got engaged and we plan to marry soon.”

Although he has had major heart surgery, Freddie says he is not concerned about living in rough conditions. “It will be fine,” he stresses.

Freddie says he hopes viewers will realise he is a kind, caring family man when they watch him on the show. The comedian, reveals: “I do hope people see a different side to the person they saw on Celebrity Wife Swap. I am nothing like I was on that show. I do care for people and I love my little girl.

As for who he’d like to join him in the jungle, Freddie says he’d love Frank Bruno and Paul Gascoigne to sit next to him at the campfire.

He then declares: “I am looking forward to this experience. It’s going to be a challenge and it’s a great show. I think Ant and Dec are very professional. They make me laugh. They work so well together….”

Dougie Poynter

Age: 23

Date of birth: 30^th November 1987

Phobias: “I have got one huge phobia that I can’t talk about. It’s weird.”

Missing any special occasion? It’s my birthday in the jungle.

Relationship status: “I ain’t too sure at the moment. Ask her.”

As one member of McFly, he may have thousands of girls screaming at him but Dougie Poynter definitely won’t be flirting with other women in the jungle because he’s just taken himself off the singles market.

The Bass player says he is not looking for another girlfriend he reveals. “I am seeing someone. I am definitely not single. It’s tricky though as we haven’t really discussed it. We have been friends for a while you see.”

And although he isn’t looking for love, the 23-year-old says he can’t wait to sleep under the stars. “I would pay to do something like this if I wasn’t doing it for TV,” he admits. “I am so excited. I am really into nature and Sir David Attenborough is a god to me. He would be my ideal person to go in the jungle if I could choose somebody.

“One of my best friends, Matt Willis, has done it before. He went on to win it. When I told him I was going to do it, he told me I had to. He said he had the best night’s sleep ever under the stars. His advice to me, however, was to make sure I don’t say the magic words: ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!”

Dougie is keen to stress that he sees the jungle experience as very much a great challenge – and he is adamant it definitely will not be leading to other TV work or the break-up of McFly given another of his band mates, Harry, is currently strutting around a ballroom dance floor.

“We have got a gap in our diaries at the moment and I thought it would be a lot of fun,” he adds. “This is my one and only TV project. Tom has done The Cube, Danny did Popstar to Opera and Harry’s currently on Strictly, so I thought it was my turn.

“We are definitely not splitting up. Every time we disappear for a while, everybody asks where we have gone. But all bands do it. We have actually been writing some new songs for a new album.

“We are hoping to release a new one next autumn.”

Although he won’t reveal what his big phobia is, Dougie does admit he is worried about losing his mind in the jungle. “One of my biggest fears is losing my mind,” he confides. “I tend to over think a lot. If I let my head think for too long, then that is when the voices start talking!”

He also admits he is dreading jumping out of a plane. “I have sky dived twice and I have got it into my head that it will be the third time unlucky,” he says. “I don’t want to do that again. I hated the first two. Everybody has told me that it’s the most amazing experience ever but for me, the first two really sucked.”

Dougie hasn’t done anything to prepare for the jungle experience because he is already used to eating rice and tuna a lot. And rather than lose weight, like a lot of the previous contestants, he thinks he will put on weight. “Apparently bugs have got more protein than beef,” he says. “I could come out bigger!”

As a famous pop star, you’d think Dougie would see his role in the camp as the entertainer, but he isn’t sure what he will bring to the party. “People shouldn’t expect anything,” he explains. “I don’t think I will be breaking out into singing though, I am a bass player in McFly afterall!”

It’s his band mates whom he will miss the most during his time sleeping outside. “We are all so close and they are like brothers to me,” he says. “I know this is going to be really tough and I know it will be just as hard, if not more nerve wracking, than performing on stage.”

As for whether he hopes his fellow contestants will make a fuss of him when he celebrates his 24^th birthday in the jungle or not, Dougie says he’d rather they didn’t do anything at all. “I will be 24 in the jungle,” he says. “I normally spend my birthday somewhere weird like a plane. I am used to it. I don’t like birthdays, I don’t like the attention.”

Crissy Rock

Age: 53

Date of Birth: 23^rd September 1958

Phobias: Bungee jumping

Missing any special occasion? “Aside from Bingo, no!”

Relationship status: Single.

 

Benidorm star Crissy Rock reckons going in the celebrity jungle is the best diet you could ever hope to go on.

Laughing, the TV actress - famous for her role as Janey York in the hit ITV1 comedy Benidorm and as Maggie Conlan in Ladybird, Ladybird – says she will be over the moon if she ends up losing a few pounds.

She says: “I can’t wait to lose weight. I might come out as a size 12. I don’t mind at all. It is the best diet ever! I don’t mind feeling hungry as I know what it is like. I was hungry when my kids were little. I used to give them food first rather than myself.

“At the end of the day, we are only going to be hungry for three weeks. We are hungry by choice. For lots of people all over the world, they aren’t hungry by choice. We cannot moan.”

Crissy admits she was so excited when she heard she’d definitely be going on I’m A Celebrity, she couldn’t stop screaming with delight.

“I am a big fan of the show,” she admits. “For me landing a place in the jungle is like the Oscars. I feel like I have already won by getting in. Anything else is a bonus.

“I will always remember the day I found out because it was on the same day as what would have been my mum’s birthday. I always buy a card for both my mum and my dad, who is also dead, on their birthdays and so getting a place felt like it was her birthday present to me.

“I was driving along in the car to Blackpool when my agent phoned to say I’d been accepted. I screamed with delight. My friend was ahead of me and I kept beeping the horn and flashing the car lights to get her to stop. I was hysterical. I felt like I had won Deal or No Deal!

“I then went straight to the cemetery in Liverpool to tell my dad I was going to the jungle. I said ‘I am only telling you dad because you are dead! If you were alive, I wouldn’t have been allowed to tell you because we have to keep it a secret!”

Crissy admits she has been so scared of anybody finding out she was one of the jungle celebrities, she only told her children at the very last minute.

“The only person I did tell was my best friend, Margi, who I have known for 28 years,” she adds. “I only told Margi because she is the only person I want to meet me at the other side of the bridge when I come out – win or lose.

“We’ve been friends for 28 years and this is the most amazing chance to give her a gift of friendship and that’s just priceless. She is bowled over.”

The likeable 53-year-old star hopes to entertain her fellow campers around the fire. “I would like to be the entertainer in the camp,” she confides. “I am a bubbly person who laughs a lot and I will probably get on people’s nerves from time to time as I do get on my own!

“But one thing I definitely won’t be is the cook. I am not very good. I am rubbish. If they put me on cooking duties, they will be crying for all the cockroaches!”

Crissy says she will be upfront with her fellow celebrity contestants if they start getting bossy. “I will stand up to people – but in a nice way.”

A keen fan of I’m A Celebrity, Crissy has already hatched up a plan for when she enters the jungle. “I will stand back and stay a bit placid at first,” she reveals. “I will watch others make their role and I will try and think before I act. Obviously this could all go t*ts up when I get in there!

“I like people watching and for me, the joy is the unknown of what is going to happen. I am not frightened of spiders, but I have never had them crawl all over me either and so I don’t know how I will be.”

Crissy has been incredibly open in the past about her difficult life that has seen her overcome an abusive marriage and bankruptcy. So she reckons her time in the jungle will be luxurious by comparison.

“They are not stripping me of anything,” she explains. “I don’t see myself as an A-list celebrity and so I will be interested to see how others respond to being stripped of things.

“I am certainly not worried about roughing it. I have been homeless before. This will be luxury by comparison. Before it was a cardboard box. This time I will have a bed…!”

Stefanie Powers

Age: 69

Date of Birth: 2^nd November 1942

Phobias: None.

Missing any special occasions? “No. As an actress you understand and tolerate long absences.”

Relationship status: I am attached.

The American star, best known for her role in the 1980s’ global TV hit Hart to Hart, is also an international speaker on wildlife preservation who doesn’t have any terrible phobias. She does however admit the fact she doesn’t quite know what to expect when she gets in the jungle is making her a “little anxious”.

“I have lived in Africa, slept in camps and been to jungles before, but with those trips you could go fully equipped to protect yourself,” she explains. “You could bring the necessary kit as you knew what you were up against.

“With this, it’s a very different approach. You are completely vulnerable. It is challenging and the unknown is the point that makes one a little anxious.”

But the actress – whose distinguished career also includes roles in The Girl from U.N.C.L.E, Kung Fu and The Bionic Woman, as well as countless award nominations for her portrayal of Jennifer Hart – doesn’t think she will pick too many fights with her fellow contestants.

“I am not argumentative,” she declares. “Nobody wants to make a fool of themselves. I have had friends who have done this show before and they have lived through it.”

She is also unconcerned about the fact that she may not eat very much in the jungle. “This isn’t the first time I have been on a fast,” she points out. “The rain will be the biggest challenge. I hope I won’t get rained on.”

And being away from loved ones and her friends won’t be too problematic either. “I am an actress,” she says. “I am always in a situation where our lives are not conventional. My friends do not get twitchy if you are not on the phone all the time. They are friends who you can pick up the phone to after two years and go ‘let’s get together’.

She may be a famous, glamorous Hollywood actress, but it’s her recent battle against lung cancer that Stefanie Powers views as one of her proudest achievements. And it’s her fight against the terrible disease that is the reason why she is taking part in this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

She says she is living proof of how important early detection of cancer really is.

“I was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago on the eve of my mother’s death,” reveals Stefanie. “I had surgery and what was then up to me was my recovery and the process of recovery. It puts you through many different stages – emotional stages, intellectual stages - and now that I am recouped and performing again, doing this kind of thing makes me want to be a poster child for early detection of cancer.

“I want to show others who are going through, or will go through what I have, that you can resume an active life.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to show there is life after cancer – and the benefits of good detection early on.

“I am not only a survivor of cancer, but I am now going to try and survive I’m A Celebrity!”

Given she is such a well-known actress, what kind of role does Stefanie think she will play in the jungle? The straight talking 69-year-old admits she isn’t sure whether she will be the entertainer, mum or the person who is a shoulder to cry on. But she hopes she will prove to be a useful camper. “You have to find a way of pulling together and being a good team,” she adds.

As for who she’d like to join her around the campfire, Stefanie, a member of the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club whose membership also includes Prince Charles, reckons Australian actor Hugh Jackman would be perfect. “I am interested in other people,” she says. “I want to see if I can get through this.”

And once she finishes her stint in the jungle, win or lose, Stefanie won’t have time to relax as she has already got several big acting roles lined up. “I am doing a play afterwards,” she explains. “And so when I finish doing this, I will go straight into rehearsals.”

“I am not really thinking about the jungle in what I am most looking forward to,” she adds. “This is an experience I am not in control of and you just have to make do with the best you can…”

Mark Wright

Age: 24

Date of Birth: 20^th January 1987

Phobias: “I do have some but I don’t want to say what they are!”

Relationship status: Single

 

 

He has never been short of female admirers on The Only Way is Essex, but Mark Wright reveals he definitely isn’t looking for a new girlfriend in the jungle.

Laughing, the club promoter says finding love under the stars isn’t on his agenda.

But the cheeky, likeable star won’t rule out flirting with any pretty fellow campers if he finds them attractive.

He admits: “I am definitely not looking for another relationship on I’m A Celebrity. But I am one of those people that if something comes in front of your face, why turn it away?!”

The 24-year-old explains he jumped at the chance to take part in the celebrity jungle because he feels now is the time for new challenges.

He adds: “I feel I have gone as far as I can in TOWIE for the time being. It’s been an amazing platform for me and I have loved every moment of it. I will miss everyone and the whole experience but when I was asked if I wanted to do the jungle, I really wanted to take the opportunity.

“I am really excited about doing it. It’s a great new challenge for me and I hope people will see me other than just the guy off TOWIE.”

“I think people think of me as someone who can get what he wants, but ultimately I am very much a home bird. I love my family and friends and I do think I am a nice guy. Hopefully people will get to see that when I am in the jungle.”

Mark reckons he will be a great shoulder to cry on around the campfire. Explains the star: “I am looking forward to making new friends and finding out more about their lives. I just want to roll with the whole experience, but I do think I will be a shoulder to cry on. I am a massive team leader and I will help people through everything.”

But the star, who has always been incredibly honest and upfront on TOWIE in the past, says he will not be trying to pick arguments with the rest of the jungle camp.

He declares: “If someone is being annoying, I might let them know – but only in a very polite way.”

Renowned for his love of keeping fit, Mark has also promised to use the camp as a gym. “I will definitely exercise in the jungle – that is a fact.

“I am dreading the hunger factor as I do like my food. But if I do end up losing weight, at least it will bring out the six pack more!”

Very much up for a laugh, the reality TV star says he is prepared to make a fool of himself during the trials. He admits: “I do have some phobias but I don’t want to say what they are! I will do everything. I am expecting to be challenged and I am sure people will want to see me out of my comfort zone. I don’t mind if they do.”

The only trial he is really dreading is the banquet meal challenge that sees celebrities eat a wide range of slimy jungle insects and bugs. “I am dreading the eating one,” he laughs.

“It is going to be very hard but it’s also going to be an amazing opportunity. I could love it or I could hate it – but one thing is for sure, I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

As for who he’d like to join him under the stars, Mark, who has never shied away from the fact he enjoys the company of women, admits Hollywood actress Eva Mendes would be his star guest. “And Arg from TOWIE for the laughs,” he adds.

He says he didn’t tell many people before he went in the jungle about the once in a lifetime opportunity, but reveals all his family, including his mum, sister, Jessica, and Nanny Pat, all felt it was a brilliant opportunity for him.

“This will be one of the longest times I have been away from Essex,” he goes on. “I went away to Spain once for three weeks but this is totally different. I will miss everyone.

“But all my family told me to do this jungle experience. They all think it’s an amazing opportunity.

“I did tell Arg too. He is really pleased for me.”

And what does he plan to do once he leaves the jungle? For now, Mark is keen to see what happens, but he admits he is ready to take on more TV challenges. He adds: “I have been offered lots of different things but I wanted to do I’m A Celebrity first. We will just have to see what happens afterwards. I am really looking forward to my future…”

Antony Cotton

Age: 36

Date of Birth: 5^th August 1975

Phobias: Flying, Heights, and Claustrophobia

Missing any special occasions? “The filming of Katherine Kelly’s final scene in Coronation Street and her leaving do.”

Relationship status: “I never discuss my private life”.

 

 

Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has undergone therapy and hypnotherapy sessions to help him conquer his fears in the jungle.

The popular actor – who plays Sean Tully in the ITV1 soap – says he is so scared of flying, heights and claustrophobia, he sought professional help before going on I’m A Celebrity….

The 36-year-old star admits: “I have a morbid fear of flying. I don’t like heights and I am claustrophobic. I have had hypnotherapy and I have also been to therapy to face my fears. The therapy was amazing even though in the days leading up to going in the jungle, I did have moments where I wondered why on earth I had said yes! But life is to live and so I think ‘why not do it.’

“Doing this show is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am hoping it will make me face up to my fears.”

The actor reveals his friends have questioned why he is taking part says Antony giggling. “I think my character, Sean, would probably react in the same way as everyone else has. They all keep asking ‘are you mental?’! But I am hoping I will come out at the end and think ‘well that was an adventure.”

As well as entertaining his fellow campers, Antony is also hoping to rustle up a few delicious meals for them. “I am a good cook,” he reveals. “I’d also like to think I am a good shoulder to cry on. I am really looking forward to meeting new people and making some nice friends.

“I am practical too. I am a leader and I like to make sure things are done in the right way.”

He doesn’t view himself as argumentative, but the TV actor, who has also starred in Queer As Folk, admits his worse nightmare would be if there were rude contestants in the jungle. “I don’t like it when people argue,” he confesses. “I don’t like stupid arguments. My worst-case scenario is being with someone who is a bigot. That would really upset me.”

Although he does have a lot of fears, he hopes he won’t react in the same way to the trials as last year’s contestant Gillian McKeith. “The whole attraction for me is the unknown,” he explains. “I have no idea how I am going to cope with it. We will just have to see what happens.

“There is nothing worse than being hungry”.

Antony is keen to stress that his decision to take part in I’m A Celebrity definitely does not mean he is quitting his role as Sean in Coronation Street. “Absolutely not,” he says. “Coronation Street is very special and I love being in the soap.

“I would never have done this without the blessing of Corrie. They have allowed this to happen.

“I have a lovely house and job and I am really happy. If anything else happens, then that is a bonus.”

The fact that he is so used to working with TV cameras on the soap will hopefully, says Antony, help him in the jungle. “I am probably more used to it than anyone,” he adds. “That side of things will be fine.

“I have no idea what it will be like, however, being me, rather than my soap character, Sean. I am a very private person and I never talk about my private life in public.”

Aside from missing the final scene and leaving do of his close Corrie pal Katherine Kelly, Antony says he is praying he will also not miss a meeting to discuss how the soap will bid farewell to Betty Driver, who sadly died last month (October). Says the actor: “Katherine is filming her last scene and then having her leaving do. I am sad I won’t be there for that. They are also going to plan a send-off for Betty. I am keeping everything crossed I will be there for that.”

As for what he will miss the most when he is in the jungle, Antony admits he will find leaving his home and creature comforts behind tough. “I love my house,” he adds. “There is this popular misconception about me that I am always out partying. But that isn’t me. I am never happier than when I am sat at home watching the TV…!”

Lorraine Chase

Age: 60

Date of Birth: 16^th July 1951

Phobias: “I am the same as everyone else. Most of us don’t like spiders, don’t want our face against a rat and would not choose to be near a snake.”

Relationship status: Single

 

 

Landing a place in the jungle feels like fate for Lorraine Chase, who after turning 60 earlier this year, admits she was desperately looking for a new challenge to give her life a push in a different direction.

The model and TV actress, who first shot to fame in the 1970s as the star of the Campari adverts and who went on to star in a variety of TV dramas including as Emmerdale’s Tricia Stokes, says that ever since she celebrated the landmark birthday in July, she has been looking to stretch herself more.

And she reckons that if the offer had not come along, she would almost certainly have signed up for a boot camp instead. To get offered the chance to star in I’m A Celebrity, is both fortuitous and a great blessing.” says Lorraine

“I turned 60 this year and I really felt I needed to do something to stretch myself and get braver,” she reveals. “I used to be brave.

“I have always wanted to learn how to ride a motorbike and go backpacking, but the treadmill of life has meant that I just haven’t organised it myself.

“When I got the call, it felt like a blessing. I had been toying with the idea of a boot camp and this seemed a very fortuitous thing to be offered it.

“It’s not something I would normally do and I think people in the business will be shocked when they see that I am. I am really excited about the challenges ahead.”

Describing herself as a team player, Lorraine is determined to put 110 per cent effort into the trials – even if she is feeling frightened.

“There are going to be things I don’t like and fear, but if you don’t do it then some people will suffer,” she points out. “I hope there will be team players in the jungle. If you are a team player, it doesn’t matter who wins. It matters that you all support each other.”

And rustling up a few meals for the celebrities won’t be a problem for Lorraine, winner of the soap star special of Come Dine With Me last year. “That’s probably down to my friend’s lettuce and pea soup though,” she adds. “I live on my own now and I don’t have any reason to do a lot, but I can cook.”

Laughing, the 60-year-old, whose TV credits also include Worzel Gummidge and The Other ‘Arf, reveals one of her biggest worries is irritating her fellow celebrities. “I am a funny fossil,” she says. “I do think I irritate people. The one wish I have is to not make other people’s time difficult by me being irritating.”

Although Lorraine hasn’t deprived herself of food or luxury items in the run-up to the jungle experience, she admits she spoke at length with her friend, Christopher Biggins, crowned King of the Jungle in 2007.

“He was so sweet and told me he had three things to say about his experience,” she recalls. “He told me it was the best and hardest thing he’d ever done and that he wouldn’t do it again! But he told me to enjoy the experience. She adds;

“I know the hardest thing is going to be the boredom, but if you have someone like Biggins in the jungle, then that will be wonderful.”

Lorraine hopes to learn a lot about herself during her time in the jungle. Finding love, however, definitely isn’t on her agenda. Currently single, she says: “Never say never but it would have to be someone very special for me to want to lose the independence I have now.”

The bubbly, warm and chatty actress also doesn’t plan to strip off either. “I think there are women who look good dressed and women who look good undressed. I am a woman who looks better dressed. I will be avoiding all of that” Adding;

“But I don’t mind if I end up losing weight. I have put on a bit of weight in the last year because I am getting older.

“I am not going in there for dieting reasons though. This is such a historical year for me and I really do feel this is a chance of a lifetime.”

As for whether Lorraine is using the show to raise her profile, she admits: “It’s not my reason for doing this, but if something comes along on the back of it, then that would be lovely.”

Willie Carson OBE

Age: 68 but turns 69 on 16^th Nov!

Date of Birth: 16^th November 1942

Phobias: Heights

Missing any special occasions? Yes I am letting down quite a few people in terms of social occasions. I only decided to go in the jungle a couple of weeks beforehand.

Relationship Status: Married

 

 

As a five times’ British champion jockey, he is one of the country’s racing legends, but Willie Carson admits his street credibility will be even higher when he enters the jungle.

Smiling, the popular jockey – who during his distinguished career won 17 British classic races –reveals his grandchildren are huge fans of the hit reality TV show and he hopes they will be over the moon when they see him camp outside with his fellow celebrities.

And it’s putting a smile on their faces is one of the main reasons why he has decided to accept the offer to take part.

“The grandchildren are massive fans,” he confides. “The street cred is going to get lifted when they find out I am doing this! I know they will be excited. I have watched the show in the past, but not religiously.

“I am determined to really enjoy my experience in the jungle.”

“I didn’t have time to do anything to prepare for the jungle,” he adds. “But I don’t mind. I don’t know what lies ahead and whether it will be the hardest thing I have ever done, but at the same time, I am not dreading anything either.”

Bursting out laughing, he then reveals he isn’t as fit, however, as people would assume. “I haven’t ridden a horse for 16 years, “ he says. “I am a pensioner!

“I don’t mind about the lack of food though. In fact, I don’t mind if I do lose some weight!”

Yet whilst he doesn’t know if any of the trials will prove too much for him, Willie is adamant he won’t be afraid to speak his mind if his fellow campers get on his nerves.

“If I get annoyed, I will say it,” he promises.

He also reckons he will prove to be the practical one in the camp. “I won’t be the entertainer,” he reveals. “I will leave that to the theatrical people. I haven’t done any camping before but I do think I will be practical.”

Given he is one of Britain’s most successful jockey’s, it comes as no surprise to learn he also thinks he does have plenty of fighting spirit. “I am competitive,” he admits. “Would I like to win the show? Well I don’t know how far the course is yet!”

And rather than choosing fellow jockeys to join him in the jungle, Willie would like nothing better than to spend few hours around the camp fire talking to Nelson Mandela. “And I’d love my wife to be in the jungle with me too!” he adds smiling.

“This isn’t the longest period we have been apart from each other as there have been other times. She wasn’t that keen about me doing this at the start, but she is warming to the idea now and she is always so supportive.”

As well as enjoying a distinguished sporting career, Willie – who was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to horse racing in 1983 – has also become popular on TV, first as a team captain in the 1980s on A Question of Sport, and then more latterly as a co-presenter of BBC Horse Racing, alongside Clare Balding.

So does his decision to go on I’m A Celebrity mean he wants to branch out further into TV? Definitely not, comes the reply. Nor does he want to use the jungle experience to dispel any misconceptions about himself.

“I have nothing to sell nor a career to re-resurrect,” he points out. “When I get back from the jungle, I will put my feet up and I shouldn’t think I will do anything or try to do anything else.

“It seems doing this was simply one of those offers I couldn’t turn down!”

As for what he will miss the most, he thinks not going to sleep every night in his own bed will be tough. “I am going to miss my bed,” he says. “I will also miss my dogs and horses.”

But whatever happens, the jockey says he will definitely not walk out. “I won’t break down in front of the cameras either,” he adds. “I would get worried about myself if I did! I have never been asked to do a reality TV show like this before and I want to have a good time…”

Jessica-Jane Clement

Age: 26

Date of Birth: 24^th February 1985

Phobias: Spiders. I have been having nightmares about them!

Missing any special occasions: I have just got engaged, I have had to put the celebrations on ice until I return from the jungle.

Relationship status: Engaged

She is a former glamour model who has posed for Playboy in her past, but Real Hustle star Jessica-Jane Clement will definitely be warding off any male admirers after getting engaged to her boyfriend days before entering the jungle.

The pretty model and TV star, who has been showing viewers how to avoid getting conned for six years, admits it’s going to be tough being separated from her new fiancé, hairdresser Lee Stafford.

“I’ve just got engaged to my boyfriend,” she reveals. “We’d been on holiday in Africa and he popped the question. Obviously I was already in love with him, but now I am super loved-up and the thought of popping that bubble to come in the jungle is going to be tough. I’d love him to be in the jungle with me!

“Male attention? I can deal with it. My boyfriend knows me well. I would never give off any signal that I was available.”

And just in case any male bachelors in the jungle get the wrong end of the stick, the loved-up TV presenter has promised to show off her new engagement ring. She says: “I am going to go in with my Bobby Dazzler of an engagement ring and I will talk about him a lot – and the dogs, who are called Knickers and Pants. I am going to really miss my dogs too!”

Her jungle stint has meant putting her engagement celebrations with her friends from her home city of Sheffield on ice until she returns to the UK, but the 26-year-old star is incredibly excited about being asked to appear on the hit show.

Jessica-Jane says: “For a while it didn’t really sink in and I kept having nightmares about spiders as I have a phobia about them, but just before I flew out to Australia, I got really excited. It’s going to be such an amazing experience and I really want to prove to myself I can do it.”

And with a very enviable figure, it comes as no surprise to learn Jessica-Jane has packed some bikinis. “I am taking three,” she says. “I don’t like the heat very much and I will probably be in the jungle lake most of the time!”

Incredibly honest and upfront, Jessica-Jane has no qualms about admitting she is hopeful her appearance on I’m a Celebrity will lead to more work – both modelling and TV.

“I do love modelling and the older I get, the more confident I have become,” she confides. “Of course I’d love to do some more when I am back from the jungle.

“Likewise with TV. I really do enjoy doing the Real Hustle and I am actually going to be doing a new beauty documentary on my return about self-regulation in salons. But I am a firm believer, out of sight, out of mind. The more TV work you do, the more well-known you become.”

So what kind of camper will she make? Describing herself as “a bit of a daredevil”, Jessica-Jane is determined to have a go at all the trials even if she has to come face to face with her dreaded phobia of spiders.

“Bring the Trials on!” she declares. “I will be saying ‘come on ITV is that all you have got!’ I don’t want to say ‘I’m A Celebrity…, Get me out of Here!’ I don’t want to go out. I will do anything. I know it can’t hurt me and no matter how gross it looks, I want to do every task possible.”

The former Dream Team star says “I see myself as a team player in the jungle. If someone takes on the role of leader, I won’t mind doing what I am told to do.

“I do like having a laugh and I love pampering. I am sure I will be trying out some DIY make-up on the other girls!”

So is there anything she is dreading? “I don’t like surprises,” she admits. “Because I don’t know who is going to be in the jungle with me, I am a little anxious about who I will be living with.”

Yet whilst some celebrities think the jungle is a great diet, Jessica-Jane reckons she will actually put on weight. “The food doesn’t bother me,” she admits. “I have never been a massive eater. In fact I will probably put on weight with all the rice and beans! I will have never eaten so much rice in my life!

“This experience is going to be so exciting. I can’t wait…”

Fatima Whitbread MBE

Age: 50

Date of Birth: 3^rd March 1961

Phobias: Jumping out of a plane

Missing any special occasions? My best friend’s birthday

Relationship status: Single

 

Leaving her 13-year-old son behind to go in the jungle will be a tall order for former Javelin World Champion Fatima Whitbread, who reckons taking part in the hit ITV1 show will be as hard as training for a big sports event.

The 50-year-old sportswoman - who broke the world javelin record in the 1986 European Championships and went on to be crowned World Champion a year later - is under no illusion that the experience will be a very difficult one, but she says she is ready for the challenge.

“I am a single mum and my son and I have been joined at the hip,” she admits. “I have never left him for longer than 24 hours and whilst I don’t think I will break down in front of the cameras, I am sure I will put my head under the bed covers at night and there will be a few tears. I will deal with it though. It is not forever.

“He is really proud of me and I know he wouldn’t want me to be upset on TV, especially as he has got to face his friends at school. You know what teenagers are like!

“I hope the jungle experience will enable me to learn how to let go of my son. He is growing up and there will come a time when he goes off to University and he won’t want to come home again!

“I was involved in international sport for a long time and I made a lot of sacrifices. But those days were a long time ago now and I’ve been in my comfort zone. This is going to be tough and I think the boredom levels will be hard.

“I am an avid watcher of the show and it’s easy to watch it in the comfort of your own home. I am not sure what it’s going to be like bedded in the jungle – but I will give it my best shot!”

Lack of food does not bother Fatima, who, aside from her hoard of medals, was also named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1987.

“We travelled around Eastern Europe a lot when I was in sport,” she recalls. “And we had to eat jellied eels and ropey bits of beef back then, so I am used to not eating enough. The lack of food doesn’t bother me. I will be concerned, however, about the others and how they are coping. Yes I am strong willed but I am also someone who likes to help and support others.”

Laughing, Fatima admits she hasn’t lost any of her competitive spirit. “I haven’t got a game plan for the Jungle but I am competitive,” she confesses. “I don’t expect to win but if I come out unscathed, then I will be happy.

“It would be nice to have a go at some of the trials. I think everyone wants to have a go and I’d be really pleased if I got a few votes. “

She pauses, smiles, and then declares: “But I am in the hands of the public and I wouldn’t have thought they will vote for me unless I was an absolute plonker”.

She says one of her biggest worries is coping with the boredom levels and not being able to send a text to make sure her son is well. But she plans to try and take her mind off her loved ones at home by exercising in the jungle. “Not everyone will feel energetic if they are hungry,” she says. “I will want to do a few sit-ups and if anyone wants to join in, I’d be happy if they did. Equally I will be happy to play a tag game. It’s about having a laugh and to laugh once a day can really lift your spirits.”

She doesn’t mind who joins her in the Jungle but thinks Carol Thatcher is great fun. As for enjoying a romance, Fatima is steering clear as she doesn’t think a Jungle relationship is anything but a short-term one. “I think you would fall out of love as quickly as you fell in love if you met someone in the Jungle,” she admits. “I’m not looking for a relationship in the jungle.”

So what does Fatima hope to get out of her experience? As well as discovering what kind of character she is under extreme circumstances, Fatima hopes taking part on such a popular show will raise her head above the parapet. “I am a single mum and I do have to pay the bills,” she says. “It would be nice if I came out and I had done ok and there was a window of opportunity. All my friends are delighted. They know I like challenges and over the years I have kept a low profile, so I think this will do me good.

“As the jungle looms, I am getting excited. I want to hit the floor running and really enjoy the experience. I will deal with whatever comes my way. “

[Ian_W]

I doubt anyone will read the above LOL

[Loose]

Can't see Fatima Whitbread losing, after all she must have the biggest balls of the lot.

[Rhodes]

Ian - Why did you delete all the old posts to this thread

[Rhodes]

Loosely – I get the impression you’re taking the mickey out of Fatima Whitbread, it sums you up as she is one of our greatest Olympians

[Ian_W]

Ian - Why did you delete all the old posts to this thread

 

I did not - your opening post is the first post for this years series

 

I guess the others are in a topic that finished a year ago.

[missunderstood]

Lets hope something decent is on one of the other channels when this rubbish is out.

[Loose]

Loosely – I get the impression you’re taking the mickey out of Fatima Whitbread, it sums you up as she is one of our greatest Olympians

With her one bronze and one silver olympic medals compared to the Redgraves, Thompsons, Ovetts and Coes probably most people realise that you are over-egging it just a bit with "Greatest Olympians" tw@t.

 

I suppose you must be her biggest fan of course.

Edited November 10, 2011 by Loose

[Loose]

Lets hope something decent is on one of the other channels when this rubbish is out.

Please God there's some paint drying somewhere to watch, anything must be preferable to these has-beens attempting to re-launch their "glittering" careers. Most of them, their most recent graze with fame would be attending the opening of an envelope.

[Rhodes]

Missunderstood - Strictly Come Dancing results, X Factor results and now I'm A Celebrity all on Sunday evening, it doesn't get any better than that!

[Big J R]

Fatima Whitbread: Balls: Tucker-Challenge !!!

 

The mind really does 'boggle'

[Rhodes]

So are we on our starting blocks folks, Usain Bolt style, for 9.00 tonight

[missunderstood]

Missunderstood - Strictly Come Dancing results, X Factor results and now I'm A Celebrity all on Sunday evening, it doesn't get any better than that!

I watched "strictly" for about ten minutes once and thought it awful, did the same with X Factor and thought it gutter TV at its worse, never seen I'm A Celebrity or Big Brother. I tuned in to TOWIE last week because apparently some of it is shot fairly close to my home, and after about five minutes I almost lost the will to live.

 

IMO these types of entertainment coupled with the useless celebrity culture play a huge part in bringing down the moral and intellectual fabric of this country.

[Karen Browne]

Missunderstood - Strictly Come Dancing results, X Factor results and now I'm A Celebrity all on Sunday evening, it doesn't get any better than that!

 

You really do lead a sad depressing life.

But in YOUR case it could get better if they had named Kevin Gallen as one of the latest jungle dwellers.

[Big J R]

Time to get the old DVD's out, me-thinks !

 

More reality entertainment - NOT !!

Edited November 14, 2011 by Big J R

[Loose]

Ant "Well contestants - the good news about the Bush Tucker Trial is that one of you gets to eat a penis"

 

Dec "The bad news is that it's still attached to Fatima Whitbread"

Edited November 18, 2011 by Loose

[Hookey]

Ant "Well contestants - the good news about the Bush Tucker Trial is that one of you gets to eat a penis"

 

Dec "The bad news is that it's still attached to Fatima Whitbread"

 

 

LOL, very good.

[Big J R]

Ant "Well contestants - the good news about the Bush Tucker Trial is that one of you gets to eat a penis"

 

Dec "The bad news is that it's still attached to Fatima Whitbread"

 

 

LOL, very good.

 

 

 

 

Worth posting in the Laughter Lounge !

[Rhodes]

I see that the boring Stefanie Powers was the first celebrity to be evicted from the jungle last night which is no real surprise, she promised so much but delivered so little. It wouldn't surprise me if the equally as dull as ditch water Lorraine Chase was the next to go although to be fair she still looks the part for her age.