Full starting line-up revealed for ITV show

Babatúndé Aléshé has officially been confirmed as one of the contestants in this year’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!

ITV have formally announced the line-up of names heading to the Australian rainforest – although they had already been widely leaked.

Aléshé’s involvement was first reported a month ago, with producers said to have been impressed by his appearances on Celebrity Gogglebox next to Mo Gilligan.

The 36-year-old has previously appeared on other shows including Soccer AM, Steph's Packed Lunch, The Weakest Link and Richard Osman's House of Games.

As well as his comedy, Aléshé has also created factual content drawing on his experiences of growing up poor in inner-city London and has a few acting credits to his name, such as a small role as a nurse in EastEnders.

Not among the names officially released today is Seann Walsh – although it had  previously been reported he would be taking part. The Sun says he will be joining the show later in the run.

The full list of celebrities heading into the jungle for the new series are:

• Pop icon Boy George
• Corrie star Sue Cleaver
• Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner
• TV presenter and property expert Scarlette Douglas
• Ex England rugby player Mike Tindall
• TV presenter and journalist Charlene White
• Radio presenter Chris Moyles
• England Lioness Jill Scott
• Comedian Babatúndé Aléshé
• The Only Way Is Essex personality Olivia Attwood

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock was later revealed to taking part – leading to the Conservatives withdrawing the whip, suspending the serving MP from the party. Andy Drummond, deputy chairman of the Conservative Association in Hancock's  West Suffolk constituency, said he was looking forward to seeing the MP 'eating a kangaroo's penis'.

Voting is now open via the official app for viewers to vote for who they want to become Jungle VIPs: ‘Very Isolated People who will spend their first night Stranded on an island and will face the first trial of the series. Polls close at 9pm tonight.

Again hosted by Ant & Dec, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! returns to ITV at 9pm on Sunday. The show is returning to Australia after two Covid-induced seasons in Wales.

Comedians have had mixed fortunes on the show but it made major stars of Joel Dommett and Emily Atack.

Published: 1 Nov 2022