I'm A Celebrity 2026 Lineup Confirmed: Wayne Rooney, Joanna Page and 9 More Stars Head to the Jungle

The I'm A Celebrity jungle camp in Australia at dusk, with hammocks, a campfire and string lights under tall trees

ITV has officially confirmed the 11 celebrities heading into the Australian jungle for I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2026, with former England captain Wayne Rooney leading a lineup that also includes Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page, Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson and Paralympian Ade Adepitan. The new series — the show's 26th — begins on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 9 p.m. on ITV1 and ITVX, with Ant and Dec returning to host live from Australia every night.

The Short Answer

ITV confirmed the full 11-person lineup for I'm A Celebrity 2026 on Tuesday, November 10. Wayne Rooney, Joanna Page, Ricky Wilson, Ade Adepitan, Chloe Burrows, AJ Odudu, Sharky, Jack Skipper, Leomie Anderson, Claire Sweeney and Mariella Frostrup will live in camp when the series returns on Monday, November 16, at 9 p.m. on ITV1 and ITVX. Ade Adepitan will be the first wheelchair user to take part in the show's history. Comedian Leigh Francis, who had been widely reported as joining, is not in the confirmed lineup.

The Full Confirmed Lineup for 2026

The official lineup, confirmed by ITV on November 10, is:

Wayne Rooney — football legend and former England and Manchester United captain. Joanna Page — actor best known as Stacey Shipman in Gavin & Stacey. Ricky Wilson — Kaiser Chiefs frontman and former coach on The Voice UK. Ade Adepitan MBE — Paralympian and TV presenter. Chloe Burrows — Love Island 2021 runner-up and Kiss Breakfast presenter. AJ Odudu — TV presenter and Big Brother co-host. Sharky (Sharmarke Mohamud) — YouTuber and member of the Beta Squad, which has 12 million subscribers. Jack Skipper — stand-up comedian and social media star. Leomie Anderson — supermodel. Claire Sweeney — soap icon from Coronation Street and Brookside and a musical theatre star. Mariella Frostrup — broadcaster and journalist.

The confirmation ended days of speculation. Several campmates had already been photographed landing in Brisbane on November 9, and The Sun had reported a 12-person lineup including Leigh Francis — better known as Keith Lemon — but Francis does not appear in ITV's confirmed 11 and is not mentioned in the show's press materials. Rooney, 41, is one of the biggest names the show has ever signed. His wife Coleen Rooney was the runner-up in the 2024 series, finishing behind McFly star Danny Jones.

What to Expect From Series 26

The series opens with a 95-minute launch episode on Monday, November 16, running from 9 p.m. until 10:35 p.m. Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly return as hosts, presenting live every night from the camp in New South Wales. The celebrities will face the show's trademark Bushtucker Trials — being covered in bugs, eating unpleasant meals and taking on heights and water challenges — while living on basic rations of rice and beans.

As in previous years, the series is expected to run for about three weeks, with celebrities eliminated one by one until a King or Queen of the Jungle is crowned in the live final in early December. Viewers in the UK can watch on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player, while Irish viewers can follow on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media PLAY.

For more on how the lineup first came together, see our earlier coverage of Wayne Rooney's jungle move and the first lineup reports.

Aerial view of the Australian rainforest canopy at golden hour, with a small camp clearing below

Ade Adepitan Makes History

One of the most talked-about parts of the lineup is Ade Adepitan, who will be the first wheelchair user to compete on I'm A Celebrity. The Paralympic basketball medallist and documentary maker has spoken about the challenge ahead, and his arrival in camp is expected to be one of the defining stories of the series. The camp's jungle setting, with its uneven ground, rope bridges and water-based trials, will test every contestant — and Adepitan's participation marks a genuine first for the 26-year-old show.

Ricky Wilson's journey to camp was not smooth. His flight to Australia was cancelled, and he landed in Brisbane on Wednesday, November 11 — just five days before the launch show. Wilson, who fronted the Kaiser Chiefs through hits including "Ruby" and "I Predict a Riot," is known for his high energy, and producers will be hoping he brings the same enthusiasm to camp life.

Why Rooney Is the Story of the Series

Rooney's signing is the headline. One of England's most celebrated footballers, he played in three World Cups and is Manchester United and England's all-time record goalscorer. Since retiring, he has worked as a manager and pundit, and his jungle stint comes two years after his wife Coleen finished second in the 2024 series. That family connection gives the 2026 series an extra layer of interest — Coleen has already shown she can survive the jungle, and viewers will be watching to see whether her husband can go one better.

The rest of the cast mixes reality TV, music, comedy and broadcasting in the classic I'm A Celebrity formula. Chloe Burrows brings a huge young audience from Love Island and radio, Sharky brings the YouTube generation, and Mariella Frostrup and Joanna Page add serious broadcasting and acting credentials. If the mix clicks, this could be one of the most watched series in years. You can follow the latest I'm A Celebrity 2026 news and jungle updates as the launch approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does I'm A Celebrity 2026 start?

The new series starts on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 9 p.m. on ITV1 and ITVX. The launch episode runs for 95 minutes, until 10:35 p.m.

Who is in the I'm A Celebrity 2026 lineup?

The 11 confirmed campmates are Wayne Rooney, Chloe Burrows, Ricky Wilson, Joanna Page, Ade Adepitan MBE, Sharky, AJ Odudu, Jack Skipper, Leomie Anderson, Claire Sweeney and Mariella Frostrup.

Is Leigh Francis in I'm A Celebrity 2026?

No. Leigh Francis — Keith Lemon — was widely reported to be joining, but he is not in ITV's confirmed 11-person lineup and is not mentioned in the show's press materials.

Who are the hosts of I'm A Celebrity 2026?

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly return to host the series, presenting live every night from Australia.

Why is Ade Adepitan's appearance historic?

Ade Adepitan will be the first wheelchair user to compete on I'm A Celebrity in the show's 26-series history.

How long does I'm A Celebrity 2026 run?

The series is expected to run for about three weeks, with celebrities eliminated gradually until a King or Queen of the Jungle is crowned in the live final in early December.

Search This Blog

TrendWire Daily