Craig Charles reportedly doing I'm A Celebrity...South Africa
It has been reported that actor Craig Charles is taking part in I'm A Celebrity...South Africa, after his experience on the main ITV show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! was cut short due to a family tragedy.
Craig Charles has reportedly signed up for I'm A Celebrity...South Africa.
In 2014, the 61-year-old actor was forced to pull out of ITV's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! four days after entering the Australian jungle, due to finding out his brother Dean had suffered a fatal heart attack.
But now, it has been claimed Craig is going to get another shot at taking part in gruesome Bushtucker Trials to win stars - which represent meals - for camp in the all-stars version, which is currently being filmed in South Africa.
A TV insider told The Sun newspaper's TV Biz column: "So many viewers were willing for Craig to win when he appeared on the show the first time, and he stood a good chance of being crowned King of the Jungle.
"But he was robbed of the experience by the family tragedy, although his campmates and the production team all understood why he wanted to leave and head home to be with his loved ones.
"So ITV has given him another go, and it’s a move which has never been done on the show before - bringing someone back who had to leave due to such circumstances."
The star - who played taxi driver Lloyd Mullaney on Coronation Street from 2005 to 2015 - could be reunited with his 2014 I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! campmate, reality TV star Gemma Collins, 44, who is rumoured to be taking part in the all-stars version.
A spokesman for ITV said: "Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity...South Africa are speculation."
On September 8, the broadcaster confirmed a second series of I’m A Celebrity...South Africa - hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, both 49 - and it will air in 2026 on ITV1, STV and ITVX.
It builds on the success of the debut series in 2023, in which TV presenter Myleene Klass, 47, was crowned the winner and named the first I’m A Celebrity…Legend.
Ant said: "The campmates really brought their A-game to the first series, so we can’t wait to be back for more trials, challenges and surprises amongst the beautiful South African landscape."
An exciting show first for the new series is that the public will have the power to decide which campmate is crowned the ultimate legend in 2026 after weeks of shocks, showdown and survival.
Viewers will be able to have their say and cast the final vote in a live grand final broadcast direct from London.
Dec said: "Having a live final is an exciting addition to the new series with the viewers choosing their IAC Legend and we’ve heard some of the new trials are truly epic, even by I’m A Celeb… standards!"
