The forthcoming season of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! is open for betting, with UK bookies offering thorough analysis of likely rivals.
Jill Scott, a member of the England Lionesses, won the tournament last year after garnering a sizable majority of fan votes and defeating rivals Matt Hancock and Owen Warner to win the jungle challenge. Big figures like former prime minister Boris Johnson and famed jockey Frankie Dettori have already been mentioned as prospective candidates.
The next season of the celebrity-studded reality TV programme has yet to be officially announced, although it is expected to premiere on ITV1 and ITVX in November.
Here are the odds on the stars suspected to enter.
Thomas Skinner — 1/7
Thomas Skinner, a former Apprentice contestant and current social media figure, is still a long shot at 1/7 to appear on the show this year, despite bookmakers consistently placing him as favourite.
The 32-year-old businessman even tweeted about wanting to join the show last year, saying: “Why am I not doing I’m a celeb this year 3 years on a trot. Always the bookies favourite. I would be the guvna on it. I would eat anything (I’ve owned burger vans) I would do any challenge (I’ve shared a room with big Lanks) come on itv give me it next year lol. I’ll smash it”.
Why am I not doing I’m a celeb this year 🙈 3 years on a trot. Always the bookies favourite. I would be the guvna on it. I would eat anything (I’ve owned burger vans) I would do any challenge (I’ve shared a room with big Lanks) come on itv give me it next year lol. I’ll smash it
— Thomas Skinner ⚒ (@iamtomskinner) November 7, 2022
Josie Gibson — 1/3
The English television personality became famous on reality television so it’s no shocker she could be heading Down Under this year.
In 2010, she won the eleventh series of Big Brother and, later that year, she appeared on Ultimate Big Brother. In 2011, she was a regular guest host on the Channel 5 magazine series OK! TV.
An ITV insider said: “Josie is hugely popular with This Morning viewers and producers were determined to get her.
“She is seen as the perfect person for the jungle as she’s already such a familiar face on ITV and will bring her fanbase with her.”
Frankie Dettori — 1/3
Famous for his Magnificent Seven at Ascot, celebrated jockey Frankie Dettori has been giving bookmakers big hope.
Dettori has previously appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, and has also paired with chef Marco Pierre White to open a number of restaurants.
Ricky Hatton — 1/1
Since his boxing career came to an end in 2012, Ricky Hatton hasn’t been on television that much, focusing instead on his boxing promotions company and training career. But it’s possible that the time is ripe for a comeback.
With bookmakers cutting his odds shorter and shorter every week, the former boxer now has a 50 per cent chance of entering the jungle later this year.
Mike Dean — 3/1
The former professional football referee, currently a video assistant referee (VAR) in the Premier League, has been linked strongly with this year’s I’m A Celeb.
The 54-year-old was rumoured to be joining the show last year after he was set to quit on-field refereeing at the end of the season.
Peter Crouch — 3/1
Dean isn’t the only football personality linked with the jungle.
Another person in the mix for this year’s line-up is ex-England, Liverpool and Spurs striker Peter Crouch. Crouch has made a smooth transition from the pitch to television and would have no problems being in front of the camera.
Micah Richards — 4/1
Micah Richards is a football pundit and former professional player who played as a right-back.
Richards, a familiar face on Sky Sports’ football coverage, is known for bringing a humourous edge to proceedings and would likely go down well with viewers.
Boris Johnson — 6/1
Rumours recently swirled that Boris Johnson has had discussions with ITV executives about participating in I'm A Celebrity.
The former prime minister would follow Matt Hancock, his health secretary during the Covid administration, in taking up a term in the jungle.
But according to The Mirror, Mr Johnson is anticipated to decline an invitation to Australia in order to keep collecting enormous speaking fees, which are in the millions. He garnered a £2.5m advance prior to some engagements from his agency.
Mr Johnson received £245,000 in redundancy payout after his resignation, in addition to his £84,000 annual backbench MP salary.
