Who Is Going On I'm A Celeb 2026

So, it’s that time of year again. The tinsel is still packed away, but the jungle is calling, and we’re all wondering: who’s brave (or desperate) enough to eat a kangaroo testicle for our entertainment in 2026? I’m a Celebrity is basically the reality TV equivalent of a family Christmas—full of awkward silences, sudden tears, and someone you haven’t thought about in years turning up to cause chaos.

First up, let’s talk about the usual suspects. You’ve got the former soap star who’s been “resting” for a decade, the footballer whose career highlight was a dubious goal in 2012, and the reality star whose entire personality is “I’m just being honest, babes.” 2026 is no different. Rumour has it that a certain Love Island alum, who once cried over a pillow, is packing her mosquito net as we speak.

But there’s a twist. This year, insiders whisper about a “wildcard” from the world of competitive eating. Yes, you heard that right. Someone who makes a living stuffing hot dogs down their throat is apparently keen on bugs. It’s like hiring a chef to eat burnt toast. You just know they’ll treat every bush tucker trial like a five-course meal.

Then there’s the comedian. There’s always one—usually a bloke from the North who looks like he’s just wandered in from a pub quiz. He’ll pretend he’s “just here for a laugh” but secretly wants to win. You know the type. He’ll crack jokes about the camp toilet, then cry quietly when his wife sends a video message. We’ve all been that guy, metaphorically speaking, at a family barbecue when the sausages burn.

Speaking of crying, let’s not forget the Olympic athlete. They’re always a good bet for the “I’m starving and my muscles are shrinking” meltdown. In 2026, it’s reportedly a former swimmer who retired after a very public run-in with a pool noodle at a charity event. Honestly, watching them struggle with a campfire is like watching a goldfish try to ride a bicycle.

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Now, here’s the part that feels like your own life. Remember last year when you couldn’t find the remote and nearly started a war with your partner? That’s exactly the energy in the jungle. Someone will lose their sock. Someone will complain about the sleeping arrangements. It’s just like a camping trip with your in-laws, except with more spiders and fewer passive-aggressive comments about the roast potatoes.

The big rumour making the rounds is that a certain 90s pop star—one who sang about “shaking it all about”—is signed up. You know the one. She’s now a yoga instructor with a podcast about “aligning your chakras.” Watching her try to align a grumpy campmate’s attitude with a smile and a yoga pose? That’s TV gold. It’s the kind of awkwardness you experience when your aunt tries to “manifest” a parking space at the supermarket.

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And of course, there’s the token villain. Every year, the public votes for someone they love to hate. This time, it’s a former Apprentice candidate who once fired a contestant for not knowing the price of a pear. He’ll walk in with a fake tan and a “strategic” mindset. By week two, he’ll be eating a witchetty grub while sobbing about his childhood. We’ve all had a coworker like that. The one who thinks they’re brilliant at meetings but can’t work the printer.

Let’s be honest: we watch I’m a Celeb because it’s a mirror. It shows us that no matter how rich or famous you are, you still panic when a cockroach lands on your face. 2026’s lineup promises to deliver that same relatable chaos. You’ll see a soap star argue about rice portions, a YouTuber try to start a camp rap, and a reality star accidentally break the camp toilet. It’s like your average Tuesday night, but with better lighting.

So, who is going on? A mishmash of people you vaguely recognise, a few you’ve never heard of, and one you’ll feel oddly protective of by the finale. The takeaway? Grab the biscuits, put on your comfiest pyjamas, and prepare for three weeks of “I can’t believe they said that” moments. Because in the jungle—and in life—it’s the small, sweaty dramas that make us all feel a little less alone.