I’m A Celeb bosses were left ‘angry’ and ‘confused’ after Christine McGuinness appeared to suggest she had secured a spot on this year’s series despite not being in the official lineup.
The former Celebs Go Dating star, 37, seemed to confirm her involvement at the Pride Of Britain Awards in October when asked whether she would ever take part.
Christine admitted she is approached ‘every year’ to join the show, but the thought of leaving her three children and flying to Australia had always felt overwhelming.
However, this year she confessed to thinking: ‘F*** it, why not,’ which many interpreted as confirmation she would be heading to the jungle.
But when the full contestant list was revealed this week, featuring names such as Kelly Brook, Jack Osbourne, and Martin Kemp, Christine was notably absent.
A TV insider revealed that ITV bosses were ‘confused’ by her comments, feeling she should have shut down the speculation rather than hinting it might be her flying out to Australia.
I’m A Celeb bosses were left ‘angry’ and ‘confused’ after Christine McGuinness appeared to suggest she had secured a spot on this year’s series despite not being in the official lineup
When the full contestant list was revealed this week, featuring names such as Kelly Brook, Jack Osbourne and Martin Kemp, Christine was notably absent
The former Celebs Go Dating star seemed to confirm her involvement at the Pride Of Britain Awards in October when asked whether she would ever take part
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘ITV bosses were definitely confused when they saw the reports suggesting Christine had “signed up” for I’m A Celeb.
‘Usually, a celebrity would shut down speculation, so Christine appearing to confirm her appearance really infuriated those working behind the scenes.’
A source close to Christine added: ‘Every year, lots of names circulate around I’m A Celeb, and Christine is often one of them.
‘The reality is, it would be very difficult for her to be away from her children for that length of time.
‘That said, never say never, maybe one day she’ll be up for the challenge.’
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Christine said: ‘I always get asked and it is one of those shows, every year, would you ever do it?
‘And I always say there’s no way, I don’t think I could be away from my children, and I would be scared of the creepy crawlies, I have sensory issues and I have never been outside of Europe so just flying over there would be quite a challenge.
‘Trying to get over to the jungle might be a bit of a mission but yeah, let’s see. I think this year most likely I’d be like f*** it, why not.’
During her brief appearance on E4’s Celebs Go Dating this year, Christine romanced women, revealing she also dated fluidly in her youth
The I’m A Celeb cast was revealed by ITV this week, with TV presenter Vogue Williams and Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson added to the lineup as latecomers
Christine shares three children, twins Penelope and Leo, and daughter Felicity, with ex-husband and BBC presenter Paddy McGuinness, and the pair continue to co-parent at their Cheshire home.
The exes have made documentaries highlighting their children’s autism, while Christine has also spoken openly about processing her own diagnoses of autism and ADHD, raising awareness of the conditions.
After splitting from Paddy in 2022 after 10 years of marriage, Christine revealed she identifies as a ‘free spirit’.
During her brief appearance on E4’s Celebs Go Dating this year, she romanced women, revealing she also dated fluidly in her youth.
Christine only filmed for the programme for a few weeks before quitting the show mid-series.
She said she had struggled with dating publicly so soon after her divorce from Paddy, and that she regretted signing up because of the scrutiny she was under.
The Daily Mail has approached an ITV representative and Christine’s representative for comment.