Who is in I’m A Celeb South Africa? Full lineup revealed ahead of launch show

I hope your passport is in date because we’re off to the jungle tomorrow night for the launch of I’m A Celebrity South Africa.

The all-stars version of the hit ITV reality series will see a host of familiar faces dropped into the South African wilderness, where they’ll munch on bugs, face their greatest fears, and sleep beneath the stars.

Why would any of the UK’s glitterati put themselves through such an ordeal? Well, because they want to be crowned the Legend of the Jungle (like Myleene Klass in 2023).

Hosted by Ant and Dec, the new series was filmed towards the end of last year and is set to feature scandals, jaw-dropping challenges, and, of course, plenty of creepy crawlies.

The first teaser, which was shared late last month, promised this second season would be ‘quite a lot harder’ than its Australian counterpart, with the stakes higher than ever.

So which VIPs are set to swap the red carpet for a red t-shirt? Let’s find out….

Who is in I’m A Celebrity South Africa 2026?

Adam Thomas

It’s been 10 years since Emmerdale and Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas, 37, entered the camp.

So, in keeping with the 2016 vs 2026 trend of this year, he’s heading back for another round.

The soap favourite made it all the way to the final of series 16 and finished third – he’ll surely be hoping to improve on that this time.

However, in the first-look trailer of the new series, it seems Adam was questioning his decision early on, as he was heard asking, ‘What have I got myself into?’ from his helicopter ride.

‘I was Mr Bushtucker Trial!’, he also proudly declared of his first stint, having smashed his way through the grim challenges to win food for his campmates, admitting to already feeling ‘more pressure’ this time.

Ashley Roberts

Heart Radio DJ and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, 44, took part in 2012, coming oh-so-close to being crowned Queen of the Jungle.

Alas, she was beaten by Charlie Brooks in the final. So, can she rectify that in South Africa?

The pop star has already predicted that this season will be ‘harder, tougher, and dirtier,’ and, well, we wouldn’t disagree.

‘You know they’re gonna be levelling everything up,’ she said.

Scarlett Moffatt

Gogglebox icon Scarlett Moffatt will reunite with former campmate Adam, having beaten him in 2016 to become one of the show’s most popular winners.

Her career has skyrocketed since she made her TV debut as a sofa critic on the Channel 4 show, having presented on Saturday Night Takeaway and won last year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

But for Scarlett, it’s all about family, since she is said to be taking part in I’m A Celebrity South Africa to ‘show her little boy how brave she can be’, according to sources.

The 35-year-old became a mum in June 2023, welcoming son Jude with partner Scott Dobinson. 

David Haye

Former champion boxer David Haye secured a bronze medal in 2012, so he’ll be looking to replicate his success in the ring by emerging victorious this time.

The athlete, 45, was said to have been ‘delighted to get the call from ITV’ to take part, and viewers can also expect him to expose some juicy details about his personal life and ‘quirky relationships’.

David is polyamorous, having famously been in a public ‘throuple’ with The Saturdays’ Una Healy and girlfriend Sian Osborne.

Beverley Callard

While she is 68 years old, Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard has insisted she is ‘ready for battle.’

The Liz McDonald actress Callard finished in ninth place in the 2020 series, which, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was filmed at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Wales.

Something tells us that heading to South Africa will be a shock to her system in comparison, but it’s said Beverley ‘jumped at the chance’ to have a ‘second spin of the wheel’.

Seann Walsh

He took part in I’m A Celeb in 2022 in a bid to redeem himself following his infamous Strictly kissing scandal.

But that series also saw former Health Secretary Matt Hancock take part, and, in a rather stunning turn of events, he finished third, receiving a £400,000 fee for his time.

Seann, meanwhile, finished fifth, which he still isn’t entirely happy about.

‘Part of the reason why he came across comparatively well was because he went into I’m A Celebrity with an even bigger love rat,’ a TV insider quipped.

There are no politicians in the lineup this year, Seann. Don’t worry.

Sinitta

Pop icon Sinitta predicted that things would be ‘easier’ the second time around… but we reckon she’s in for a shock.

The 80s music star, 62, endured her first Jungle stint in 2011, at the height of her fame as a longtime guest judge on The X Factor alongside Simon Cowell.

And her appearance certainly wasn’t short of gossip, as she spilt the tea on ex-boyfriends Simon and Hollywood actor Brad Pitt to fellow celebs.

Viewers are expected to be ‘in for a treat’ as she offers up more revelations.

Sir Mo Farah

Sir Mo Farah isn’t used to finishing without a medal, but in 2020, he came fifth.

We do not doubt that the long-distance running champ will be seeking to better that performance this time.

Sir Mo was also a contestant during the pandemic series, meaning he never got the classic Australian experience.

According to The Sun, a source said that he’s ‘excited to experience a different side of I’m A Celeb’, given how ‘dramatically different’ the castle was from Down Under.

Gemma Collins

She said she’d never go back – but here she is.

Towie icon and all-round diva Gemma Collins has granted the nation’s wishes, putting herself through torture once more for our entertainment.

The GC had a pretty disastrous first run in 2014, having a panic attack as the chopper flew her towards camp, providing the internet with memes that have stood the test of time.

But she’s aware that, despite ‘hating it’, it was ‘TV gold’, so she’s giving the people what they want by trying again.

Craig Charles

Radio DJ and Corrie actor Craig Charles had a pretty short first outing in 2014.

Craig, 61, tragically lost his brother while he was in camp, having been informed that he’d died from a heart attack at the age of 50.

So, just four days in, Craig understandably left to return home. Now, over a decade later, he’s going for it again.

Jimmy Bullard

Jimmy Bullard, 47, was the first campmate voted out of his 2014 series, having rubbed viewers up the wrong way with his antics.

Despite entering as a favourite, the former footie star shocked audiences with his ‘banter’ with former X Factor contestant Jake Quickenden, which some claimed was bullying.

Jimmy insisted that it was merely all a joke, so he’ll surely be trying his hardest to keep in people’s good books this time.

Harry Redknapp

‘King Harry is back!’, declared the beloved star.

Harry, 79, is this year’s oldest contestant, but he’s said to have been top of ITV’s list when making calls for comebacks.

The ex-football manager won in 2018, having received more votes than fellow finalists Emily Atack and John Barrowman and stealing everyone’s hearts with his sweet tales of love about his wife, Sandra.

Although this time, at least he’ll know what to expect.

After his last appearance on the show, he told Good Morning Britain: ‘I thought there’d be a caravan behind the show with a mug of tea’. 

Who won All Stars season 1?

As mentioned, Myleene Klass won the inaugural in 2023, 17 years after she came runner-up in the traditional series (of viral jungle shower fame).

Reflecting on her long-awaited victory at the time, she said: ‘I’ve been in my element. I can’t believe what the jungle gave me the first time, and I’ve actually had the opportunity to relive it a second time around.

‘It’s one of those things; it was so magical the first time you start thinking, “Did I remember that as it was or have I recreated those memories?”‘

The mum-of-three was also motivated to make her children proud, sharing: ‘I said to them, “I’ll be as strong as I can be. I wanted to show them, and other little girls, keep walking through the fire”.’

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A version of this article was originally published on March 9.

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa returns on Monday, 6 April on ITV1 and ITVX.

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