Coronation Street's Claire Sweeney in 'advanced talks' to join I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
Coronation Street alum Claire Sweeney could be heading Down Under next month to take part in the 2026 series of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!.
Former Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney is reportedly in "advanced talks" to sign up for this year's series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!.
The 55-year-old actress, who played Cassie Plummer, the long-lost mum of Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) on the ITV soap from 2023 until her exit in August, is keen to jet off to Australia to take part in the broadcaster's jungle survival show, which Alan, 44, appeared on in 2024.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Claire is a massive I’m A Celeb fan and has always fancied her chances in the jungle. She was on Corrie when Alan went on the show and spoke to him about how much he enjoyed it.
"Claire has had multiple meetings now with ITV bosses and has cleared her diary to make sure she’s free to make the journey to Australia if she makes the final cut.
"ITV are currently deciding their final line-up but Claire has a great chance. She’s a soap icon and would be an amazing addition."
Claire previously said she was willing to do the programme, which will see her and other celebrities live in a critter-filled camp and take part in gruesome Bushtucker Trials.
In December 2024, the Brookside alum was asked if she would be open to appearing on I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! during an interview with Metro newspaper's 60 Seconds column.
Claire said: "I'd love to!
"I'm a massive fan of the show and look forward to it because it starts Christmas off when it comes on TV."
Loose Women panellist Mariella Frostrup, 63, is also reported to be in "advanced talks" to join this year's series of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!.
However, former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, 35, withdrew from the show to care for her twin girls, Ocean and Story, who have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, a muscle-wasting condition.
A source told The Sun: "Jesy was so excited about joining I’m A Celebrity, mainly because it was giving her a platform to continue her campaigning for SMA.
"She has already helped change Government policy over testing newborns for the condition.
"I’m A Celeb was going to be where she could spread her message even further, and show a side to her the public may not have seen before."
The source added: "It’s with a very heavy heart she has pulled out.
"Ocean and Story are unwell, and there is no way Jesy would leave them. Her family are her priority.
"ITV have been amazing and are supporting her all the way. The door will always be left open for Jesy."
A show source added: "Producers were gutted that Jesy couldn’t be part of this year’s series."
Other stars rumoured to be taking part in this year's series of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! include Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page, 49, Big Brother host AJ Odudu, 38, and 41-year-old former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.
ITV has not announced a return date for the show, hosted by Ant McPartlin, 50, and Declan Donnelly, 51, but it typically starts in November.
