I’m A Celebrity 2021 – Frankie Bridge reveals reason she’s DREADING show as she joins Richard Madeley in full line-up

Frankie’s keeping it in the family

Higher singer Frankie is set to follow in the footsteps of husband Wayne on the show.

The singer-turned-TV star, a regular on Loose Women, is taking part after ITV chiefs are said to have offered her a bumper deal.

Former Chelsea footballer Wayne, 41, finished fifth in 2016, but was ticked off by Frankie for talking about their sex life.

Now he will be the one watching from home with their sons Parker, eight, and Carter, six, as Frankie sits around the campfire.

The series, which once again won’t be Down Under, returns on Sunday November 21.

Frankie Bridge: ‘I’m A Celebrity’s stomach-churning eating tasks are my idea of HELL’

I’M A Celebrity star Frankie Bridge has told how the show trials are her “idea of hell” and she is “scared of most things” – but that’s exactly why she signed up.

The Saturdays popstar, 32, made her confession ahead of her entry into Wales’ spooky Gwrych Castle this weekend.

Frankie said: “I think people will be surprised to see me doing I’m A Celebrity and I am scared of most things, but I really want to push myself.

“I’m scared of rats, I am a fussy eater and I have a bit of a phobia of ketchup, so a pint of penis terrifies me! Any of the eating challenges will be my idea of hell.

“I also hate spiders in my own home, being trapped in small spaces is a big thing for me and pretty much all of that is likely to happen which makes me go, ‘Why the hell are you doing it?’

“And so that is exactly why I am doing it!”

What is the prize for winning I’m A Celebrity?

ITV don’t pay out prize money for the winner of I’m A Celeb.

Instead they agree a fee to be paid to each of the celebs before they enter the jungle – or castle.

However, popular contestants have gone on to make much more money after the show has ended.

Back to the castle

I’m A Celebrity bosses have been forced to cancel plans for the show to return to Australia, and the 2021 stars will now go to Gwrych Castle.

The U-turn decision was announced on August 2, 2021, following crunch talks after fears Australia could shut its borders because of the ongoing pandemic.

Celebrities booked for the 2021 series had previously been told that they should pack their bags for Australia – but now will be heading for Wales instead.In January 2021 The Sun revealed how ITV bosses had secured the castle again just in case the jungle couldn’t go ahead.

Explained: Who else was in I’m A Celebrity 2020?

As well as Giovanna, Jordan and Vernon, nine other celebs were voted off the show in 2020, and they were:

• Ninth to leave – Shane Richie, 56.
• Seventh and eighth to leave – AJ Pritchard, 26, and Mo Farah, 37.
• Fifth and sixth to leave – Jessica Plummer, 28, and Russell Watson, 54.
• Third and fourth to leave – Beverley Callard, 63, and Victoria Derbyshire, 52.
• Second to leave – West End Star Ruthie Henshall, 53.
• First to leave – Paralympian Hollie Arnold, 26.

Recap: Who won I’m A Celebrity 2020?

Giovanna Fletcher was crowned the Queen of the Castle beating Radio 1 DJ Jordan North and TV star Vernon Kay – exactly as Sun readers predicted!

Fans of the show were thrilled that the popular series still went ahead, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead of the Aussie jungle, the stars were staying in Gwrych Castle – meaning last year’s winner was crowned Queen of the Castle (instead of Queen of the Jungle).

When does I’m A Celebrity 2021 start?

ITV’s flagship reality show will welcome a new line-up of stars into Gwrych Castle in Wales on Sunday, 21 November.

That means I’m A Celeb fans don’t have long to wait until Ant McPartlin, Declan Donnelly, the celebs and Bushtucker Trials return.

DJ Locksmith in isolation

Rudimental’s Locksmith has also gone into isolation and will be a stand by celebrity should one of the other stars drop out prematurely.

DJ Locksmith previously impressed on Celebrity SAS, so surviving the castle should be a piece of cake for him.

The 34-year-old, real name Leon Rolle, is best known for being a member of UK dance four-piece Rudimental which originated from Hackney.

He hit headlines on SAS after former footballer John Fashanu put him in a headlock and started chocking him during a row.

DJ Locksmith had branded him the weakest in the group and the pair had to be pulled apart by the instructors.

I’m A Celebrity reveals twist

I’M A Celebrity fans hold the power a week before the series starts as ITV open the voting for telly’s most gruesome tasks.

The broadcaster has kick-started the polls for the gripping reality series, again set in Wales’ Gwrych Castle, with viewers now able to select their Bushtucker Trial target before they have even appeared on screen.

This year, I’m A Celebrity‘s following will be able to place a whopping five votes for free on the show’s app.

It comes in contrast to previous years, where ITV viewers have been able to watch the contestants enter camp during the first episode prior to selecting their victim.

Yet votes close today at 8pm – so there’s not long to go.

New stars open up

Former Newcastle and Spurs winger David wants to make things tasty when they join hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly at Gwrych Castle, North Wales.

The Frenchman, 54, joked: “I will be hoping to add some garlic and rosemary to the food.

“And rice and beans is perfect as I’ve put on six kilos over the past three months and I think it will be interesting to see if I can lose it in three.”

Telly veteran Richard Madeley, 65, admitted: “I don’t like heights and what bothers me the most is the route into the castle. Maybe I will have to walk a plank.”

At 78, Dame Arlene Phillips is the ITV show’s oldest contestant yet.

But the veteran choreographer laughed: “I’m always the oldest!”

Read more here.