Ashley Roberts reveals why she initially refused I'm A Celebrity...South Africa
Ashley Roberts is taking part in the second series of I'm A Celebrity...South Africa in April
Ashley Roberts refused to do I'm A Celebrity...South Africa - two years before she agreed to do the 2026 series.
The Pussycat Dolls member did not want to face gruesome challenges and live in harsh conditions again, 14 years after she did that in an Australian jungle on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2012.
However, Ashley, 44, had a change of heart and signed up for the South Africa-based all-stars spin-off - hosted by 50-year-olds Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly - because the singer wanted to prove to herself that she is strong.
She made the revelation on Tuesday morning's (10.03.26) edition of the Heart Radio Breakfast Show.
Ashley told 55-year-old hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden: "When the boys [Ant and Dec] first came in and told us they were doing this legends show, I think it was like two years ago or something like that, they were like, 'Would you do it?' And I was like, 'No! Never!' I’ve always said I’d never do it.
"There also comes a time when you want to challenge yourself a little bit, and I was like, 'I’m going to prove myself I can do some wild things.' I said yes."
Ashley said if it was not for her appearance on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2012, she would not have been able to move to London that year, and go on to have more work opportunities in the UK.
This includes becoming the showbiz correspondent for Heart Breakfast, as well as having a co-hosting gig on Ant + Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.
Ashley said: "This show changed my life, it’s the reason I’m here, it’s the reason I’m an adopted Brit, going back and paying homage to what brought me here."
The Don't Cha hitmaker is taking part in I'm A Celebrity...South Africa, with other memorable contestants from series past, including Waterloo Road alum Adam Thomas, 37, comedian Seann Walsh, 40, and 35-year-old former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt.
And Ashley shared her cast members "wouldn’t have survived" without four-time Olympic gold medallist long-distance runner Sir Mo Farah.
She added of the 42-year-old athlete: "He’s good in the kitchen!"
As well as Ashley, Adam, Seann, Scarlett and Mo, former professional boxer David Haye, 45, reality TV icon Gemma Collins, 45, and ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp, 79, will be joining them.
Coronation Street alum Beverley Callard, 68, 1980s singer Sinitta, 62, Red Dwarf alum Craig Charles, 61, and ex-Wigan Athletic midfielder Jimmy Bullard, 47, have also signed up.
I'm A Celebrity..South Africa launches on April 6, and ends with a live final from London, where viewers will pick their I’m A Celebrity…Legend, on April 24.
The show will air on ITV1, STV and ITVX.
Listen to Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden weekdays from 6.30am to 10am and on Global Player.
