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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Entertainment
Amy Denman & Lana Adkin

ITV I'm A Celebrity line-up 2022: Boy George 'to become highest paid' contestant ever

Boy George is reported to be joining the new cast of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! for the 2022 series. The Karma Chameleon singer is said to have secured the highest payment in the ITV show's history.

An ITV source reportedly told how the latest signing to the new series, which will take place in Australia for the first time since 2019, is "beyond exciting" for the channel. ITV bosses reportedly also have "no doubt" Boy George will "draw in viewers" as he's a global superstar, reports The Mirror.

Culture Club star Boy George is also said to be "hugely popular" in Australia, which makes him the "perfect addition" as the show heads back Down Under. The series was filmed at Gwrych Castle in Wales for the 2020 and 2021 stints due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Read More: ITV I'm A Celebrity full line-up for All Stars show as Ant and Dec confirm filming

An ITV source told the Mail Online : "It’s been a long time since we had a huge global star film the show and he will no doubt draw viewers.

"He’s also hugely popular in Australia and with the show leaving Wales and heading back down under, he’s the perfect addition."

They added: "He has also been secured the highest pay check in the history of the show – close to £900,000."

Insiders have reportedly told the publication they "can't wait" for filming to begin, which is due to kick off in November. Meanwhile the source shared their confidence Boy George could win the series as they added: "He’s a national treasure and we have no doubt viewers will make him king of jungle."

In April, Boy George joked he would take part in the series if there was a "vegan version" of the series as he performed on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

The Culture Club icon isn't the only star rumoured to be taking part in this year's series as Owen Warner has also been said to have signed up.

Meanwhile, I'm A Celeb fans will be treated to another fix of the series as Ant and Dec confirmed the show are creating I'm A Celeb All Stars, with favourites from the previous series will return to camp – which is set in South Africa for the spin-off.

Iconic duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly confirmed they were filming the ITV spin-off in South Africa as they posted a video on Instagram.

In the caption, they announced: "South Africaaaaaaa! That's right, we're filming a very special version of I'm A Celebrity in South Africa which is coming to your tellies in 2023. #ImACeleb".

Ant and Dec will of course be hosting the programme, which will feature 15 legends from throughout the show's history.

Amongst the record number of campmates, previous winners TV personality Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo, ex-cricketer and A Question Of Sport captain Phil Tufnell and former EastEnders star Joe Swash are taking part.

Other big names reported include Coronation Street babe Helen Flanagan and singer/presenter Myleene Klass - both of whom sent temperatures soaring during their steamy shower scenes in the Australian jungle in their respective series.

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