Christine McGuinness, 37, has risked the ire of ITV executives by letting slip to the Daily Mail that she’s set to join the star-studded lineup of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! This bombshell revelation comes just weeks after her abrupt exit from Celebs Go Dating, marking a bold new chapter for the TV personality following her divorce from Top Gear host Paddy McGuinness, 52.
The announcement came at Monday’s Pride of Britain Awards, where Christine, joined by podcast host Will Njobvu, spilled the beans on her decision to finally say yes to the jungle after years of being courted by producers. “In the past, I’ve never been away from my children, I’d be frightened of the creepy crawlies, and I have sensory issues,” she admitted. “I’ve never been outside Europe, so flying over there would be quite a challenge, but I’ve got a bit of a ‘f*** it’ moment. This year is the year I’ve been most like ‘f*** it, why not?’”
Christine, diagnosed with autism and ADHD in 2020, hinted that her fear of heights might make her a latecomer to the camp, potentially skipping the show’s iconic parachute jump. “Trying to get to the jungle might be a bit of a mission,” she quipped, embracing her newfound spontaneity. She reassured fans that her three children—11-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, and eight-year-old Felicity, who are also autistic—are now more accustomed to her being away. With the family still living together, ex-husband Paddy will care for them in her absence.
The blonde bombshell, who finalized her divorce from Paddy last year after 11 years of marriage, stunned her pal Will on the red carpet as she confirmed her participation. “What did you just say?!” he exclaimed. “You’re not even allowed to say that! Christine!” Despite the slip, she grinned and teased that fans would learn more about her jungle stint in “a few weeks.” ITV has been contacted for comment regarding the breach of their strict secrecy protocols.
Christine’s decision to join I’m A Celeb follows her dramatic departure from Celebs Go Dating last month, where she left mid-filming to return to her children. Her latest move signals a fearless embrace of new challenges, with the jungle set to test her limits.
Rumors are swirling about other potential campmates, including EastEnders star Shona McGarty, 34, model Kelly Brook, 45, rapper Aitch, and Emmerdale icon Lisa Riley. A source told The Sun that Shona, who played Whitney Dean, is a long-time favorite of ITV bosses for her charisma and popularity. “She’s got bags of charisma, and producers think she’ll be a great campmate,” they said.
Meanwhile, Kelly Brook’s rumored involvement is surprising, given her 2018 comments on her Heart radio show, where she vowed she’d rather work at her local pub than eat “eyeballs or sheep testicles” on the show. “It’s kind of like the beginning of the end,” she said at the time. However, sources suggest a lucrative deal may have swayed her, with producers banking on her glamour and wit to captivate viewers—especially during the iconic jungle waterfall scenes.
Beyond the jungle, Christine is gearing up to share more of her journey in a forthcoming tell-all memoir. Following the success of her 2021 autobiography, which detailed her rise to fame and marriage to Paddy, the new book promises candid insights into her life post-divorce, her autism and ADHD diagnoses, and her path to self-discovery. “When you do one, you have to be honest and personal,” she told the Daily Star. “I can write about what happened next—I love writing.”
As Christine prepares to bare her soul both in the jungle and on the page, her “f*** it” attitude is set to make waves. Fans are eagerly awaiting her next move in what promises to be an unforgettable chapter.