ITV has confirmed that Ruby Wax and Eddie Kadi will be taking part in this year’s I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, as leaked at the weekend.
Also taking part are Jack Osbourne – three months after the death of his father, Ozzy – model and presenter Kelly Brook; former Lioness Alex Scott; Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp; EastEnders actor Shona McGarty; Emmerdale star Lisa Riley; Brit Award-winning rap artist Aitch; Irish model and podcaster Vogue Williams; social media star Angry Ginge and Tom Read Wilson, the receptionist on reality series Celebs Go Dating.
Here comics Wax and Kadi – who will also be taking part in Celebrity Apprentice on the BBC – speak about their expectations of going into the jungle.
I’m A Celebrity… returns to ITV at 9pm on Sunday.
Eddie Kadi
Phobias: All creepy crawlies. I am dreading the trials the most.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I think people think, ‘Oh Eddie, I have never seen him unhappy or serious.’ They are going to see a side where they will realise they can have a serious conversation with me. I’m a warm person and a good listener.
Role in camp: I will be the ‘Dad’ in the camp. I am the eldest in my family and I have always been there for my siblings. I love making people feel good.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most in camp? My sofa and Manchester United – especially as we are starting to do well, we haven’t felt this for a long time.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I will bring a family vibe to the camp. I love making sure everyone is getting along and I don’t want to be overbearing. My worst? I am not that great in the mornings. It might take me a couple of hours.
Dream camper: Jackie Chan. He would smash every single challenge and trial. It would also be a great conversation with him.
‘I have had a few friends who have done it like Oti Mabuse and Babatunde [Aléshé]. They have all come back with such great stories. You only live once and I said "yes" immediately. I am so grateful to be part of this experience. I never expected it to happen.
‘Raising a daughter is a beautiful thing and my daughter is extremely excited. It’s going to be a story for her every single day. And if I were to be crowned King Of The Jungle, my daughter would be the proudest daughter in the world.
‘To prepare myself, I have been doing intermittent fasting to get used to it. Anything you consume is a bonus in there and I want to train my body. That said, I am not too great on rice and beans. It takes me back to my university days. I like flavour, I don’t know how I will survive.
‘I have never camped outside before either and the closest thing I have come to this is a walk in Kew Gardens! I have done a zip line, but no bungee jumping or sky diving. It’s going to be the first of many things.
‘Anything to do with creepy-crawlies around my neck I am dreading. And not being able to see what I am touching, but I am looking forward to learning new things about myself, and I hope I will learn new leadership and survival skills. If I were to stay until the end, it would also show resilience and that I had really pushed myself.
‘Not to take it away from Strictly [which he did in 2023] as Strictly was really hard, but the jungle will be harder. You don’t get to interact with anyone other than your campmates. If things get a little emotional or frantic, you will have to deal with it and there is no escaping.
‘I will miss watching football. I will miss the banter with my friends. I am a Manchester United fan and I will be wondering what is going on with United.
‘I love making people feel good – that’s what comedy is about… I want to bring lots of joy to everyone. We’ve got to have some peacemakers in the jungle and someone to calm things down. I have been around my friends and siblings and I have always been the person to calm things down. I am going to try and apply some of that in the camp
‘This is so epic. All the jobs I have done have all come down to this one. It’s finally sinking in now that I am going to be doing I’m A Celebrity… and I am really looking forward to it all. It feels very real now. My family is so excited too. My siblings have watched it their entire life. I am excited. Doing this programme is a beautiful thing.’
Ruby Wax
Phobias: I’m not scared of anything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? To show people I’m not aggressive. I was stereotyped during my career.
Role in camp: The person who mingles and who will chat to everyone to find out about their lives.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most in camp? Going out to restaurants and the theatre.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am easy to get on with and I will be able to calm everyone down. My worst? I’m a voyeur and I will be watching everyone.
Dream camper: I really wouldn’t pick a celebrity; I would pick Barack Obama, he is the person I would most like to meet
‘It hasn’t actually sunk in that I am doing this. I was offered the chance to take part a long time ago and I thought, "No, I could never do that", but now it’s the right time. I like doing adventurous things.
'It will be nice for people to get to know the real me because you can’t hide in the jungle. In my personas before, I looked quite aggressive and pushy, and I think it was just my nerves. I am not aggressive, it’s the way I talk. I’m not confrontational and it looked like I was.
‘The food part of the experience I don’t mind, as I am on a diet. I do need to lose weight, so [rice and beans] won’t be a problem.
[Admitting that she isn’t sure how she'd react if she had to face rats or a confined space]: ’I have never been confined to a small space so I don’t know, "What small space would I be put in? Do they have elevators in the jungle?!"
‘I am most looking forward to mingling and finding out about everyone. I do it naturally. I won’t be interviewing, because I hope they ask me questions. There is nothing more boring than someone who doesn’t ask you anything!
‘I won’t go on an [emotional] rollercoaster. I don’t cry. I hope to keep morale up. "
‘The jungle shower? I have been working out, as I don’t want to show my body the way it is. But I know you can wear a bra and pants. I have a sensational bra!
