ITV Announces Start Date and Leaked Lineup for I'm a Celebrity 2026

ITV has officially announced that the upcoming season of "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" will premiere on Monday, November 16, at 9 p.m. Broadcasting across ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player, the reality competition will see hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly return to welcome twelve new contestants into the Australian outback. The official start date was initially slated for Sunday, November 15, but was delayed by a day to accommodate ITV's broadcast of the UEFA Nations League fixture.

Alongside the premiere announcement, reports have surfaced detailing the rumoured twelve-celebrity lineup heading into the camp. Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney stands out as the most prominent name associated with the upcoming series. The 40-year-old football icon is reportedly in advanced talks to follow in the footsteps of his wife, Coleen Rooney, who finished as the runner-up in the 2024 season. Insiders indicate that Rooney is motivated by the prospect of taking on Bushtucker Trials to impress his four sons, with network sources describing him as potentially the biggest signing in the program's history.

The roster features an eclectic mix of figures from television, sports, music, and online media. Actress Joanna Page, best known for her role in the BBC comedy "Gavin & Stacey," is reportedly joining the camp following her recent victory on "Taskmaster." Meanwhile, Paralympic basketball star and television presenter Ade Adepitan is set to make history as the first contestant to use a wheelchair, with production crews reportedly adapting camp infrastructure to accommodate him.

The music and entertainment sectors are well-represented in the leaked cast list. Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson has allegedly agreed to participate after declining previous invitations over several years. Comedian Leigh Francis, widely recognized for his character Keith Lemon, is also slated to join the camp alongside actress Claire Sweeney, known for her roles in "Brookside" and "Coronation Street."

Television presenting talent adds further mainstream appeal to the camp. Big Brother host AJ Odudu and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup, a regular panellist on "Loose Women," are reported to be part of the roster. They are joined by model and television personality Leomie Anderson, who brings previous outdoor survival experience from her time on Netflix's "Celebrity Bear Hunt."

Online creators and younger-demographic favourites round out the remaining slots. YouTuber Sharmarke Mohamud, known online as Sharky, joins the lineup with a following of over 12 million subscribers. He is accompanied by 2021 "Love Island" alumna Chloe Burrows and stand-up comedian and social media personality Jack Skipper.

While fans and viewers have expressed enthusiasm on social media regarding the diverse mix of contestants, network representatives have maintained that any names suggested prior to the official announcement remain speculative. Once the series gets underway on November 16, nightly live broadcasts from Australia will be accompanied by "I'm A Celebrity… Unpacked" on ITV2 and ITVX, hosted by Sam Thompson and Kemi Rodgers.