The I’m A Celebrity… South Africa all stars series is officially returning to ITV later in 2025—and not one but two legendary jungle stars are in talks to come back.
Starting in 2024, I’m A Celebrity… South Africa reunites old campmates from the ITV game show. This time, however, they’re trading the Australian jungle for the desert.
Last series saw the likes of Shaun Ryder, Gillian McKeith, Helen Flanagan, Phil Tufnell, and Jordan Banjo giving up luxuries for a gruelling challenge once more.
The competition was ultimately won by Myleene Klass, who had originally finished second during the show’s sixth series almost 20 years ago… but now, two more famous faces are coming for her crown.
According to reports, beloved King of the Jungle Harry Redknapp is close to signing on the dotted line with ITV bosses.
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As per The Sun, Harry, 78, who became the oldest-ever winner in 2018 and was paid £500,000 for his stint, will fly back out for round two in autumn before the series airs in the New Year.
‘It’s going to be a real coup,’ a source told the paper.
‘Harry is TV gold and was first on the list of wannabe celebrity contestants.’
The football icon’s win in the main series was watched by 11million people, with the nation reduced to tears as he was reunited with his wife, Sandra, on the bridge after, having frequently declared his love for her while in camp.
Harry’s first run for Jungle champ made him one of the programme’s high earners, but the likes of Coleen Rooney and Nigel Farage still come out on top, having received a mega £1.5million for their signings.
And Harry’s people are remaining tight-lipped on his career plans currently, as a spokesperson for the sports star said in response to the rumours: ‘This is speculation.’
Meanwhile, there’s another huge name already attached to the upcoming South Africa series… and it’s Gemma Collins.
The Towie star and TV personality, 44, is one of the most treasured personalities on British TV, and ITV is apparently hoping she’ll boost viewing figures again this time around.
Gemma infamously only managed three days in the Jungle when she was last on the show and made no secret of how much she hated every second.
‘People who murder get treated better than this,’ she famously said before quitting. ‘That’s the truth. Even a murderer gets fed three times a day.’
Gemma’s tears and tantrums gave social media a meme collection that still gets used today, so it’s no surprise she’s wanted back.
A source told The Sun previously: ‘She hated it first time round, but knows it would be TV gold for her fans if she gave it another go.
‘The discussions could go either way, but signing her would be a huge win for execs.’
For Gemma fans hoping she’ll give I’m A Celebrity a second try, the recent rumours line up very nicely with comments the Dancing On Ice star made in 2019.
Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, she said: ‘I will never forget getting the call. Looking back, I don’t feel I was ready for that show. I was new to TV; I was the underdog on Towie.
‘I wasn’t the best-looking girl, I didn’t have a model figure, I was this car girl from Romford selling cars. I was being put in the Jungle, and in hindsight, I wasn’t ready for it.’
She continued: I felt hugely out of my depth—I was petrified. If I was to go back now, I’ve got more experience. I’ve got a tougher skin now, and I think that’s where the GC came into play. If they asked me back, yes, I’d go back.’
Things didn’t get off to a good start when Gemma went into the jungle in 2014, firstly refusing to parachute into camp with the rest of her teammates.
She then withdrew due to panic attacks and later said that her ex-boyfriend, Alexander Moss, had ‘severely beaten’ her the night before she joined.
The reality star said that ITV advised against her entering at first, but Gemma insisted she didn’t want to waste the opportunity of a lifetime.
Alexander, now 44, was eventually jailed for 21 months in 2019.
Gemma told the Everything I Know About Me podcast: ‘[There was] all the embarrassment of like, you know what the TV programmes were saying, “Gemma Collins left the Jungle, she was hungry, she was this.” And it wasn’t my fault.
‘I can remember lying in my flat where I lived and just thinking, I just want to die. I haven’t done anything wrong. I’ve left the Jungle because of something that happened to me.’
ITV has been contacted for comment.
I’m a Celebrity… South Africa will return to ITV1 and ITVX early next year.
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