TV

Jennie McAlpine surprises with I’m A Celeb stint

She's one of ten stars taking on the jungle this year!

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Jennie McAlpine reckons her Coronation Street co-stars will be STUNNED to find out she’s heading into the jungle.

The soap actress, who plays Fiz Brown, had to keep her appearance on the show secret until Tuesday’s official announcement – although given the widespread rumours and fact she flew to Australia over the weekend, we’re pretty sure her co-stars sussed it out!

Nevertheless, the 33-year-old still thinks they’ll be shocked to see her in camp.

Read more: I’m A Celeb’s Jamie Lomas FINALLY explains why he quit Hollyoaks

“I am a bit of a home bird and I don’t really strike them as needing a challenge in life,” she mused.

“They will be shocked as I am happy with my lot and everything is fine but I am looking forward to this challenge.

“It’s going to be nice to meet people who I wouldn’t have met if I didn’t do a show like this.”

Jennie said the whole experience will be interesting for fans as well, as they’ll get to see what she’s really like – and it’s nothing like Fiz!

“In the past I’ve been Jennie for about five minutes at a time when I’ve done a TV interview or something similar,” she said.

“Now I am going to be Jennie for 24 hours a day over three weeks.

“I am not like Fiz. I don’t nag as much as Fiz nags Tyrone!”

Of course, going into the jungle means dealing with spiders, snakes, creepy crawlies, basic rations, bad weather and uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.

And we haven’t even mentioned the often terrifying Bushtucker Trials!

But Jennie has insisted she’s got no fears at all and will happily get stuck in to whatever the jungle throws at her.

“Other than leaving [my son] Albert, I don’t have fears,” she said.

“I am not an animal lover, though, and I used to be scared of dogs until my character, Fiz, got a job in the kennels and then I had to work with dogs. That’s what cured me.

“I will give the trials a go because I want to see what I am like.”

Jennie, who owns a restaurant, said she’s happy to take on the role of camp chef – and even joked she’s trying to view the jungle as a form of detox retreat.

“Practical wise, I’d prefer it in my home where you have an oven and cook book and I just don’t know what it will be like cooking around a camp fire,” she said.

“But I do love cooking and I am not opposed to eating rice every day.

“I am looking at life in the camp as a bit like going on a retreat for a detox.”

Jennie will be joined in the jungle by nine other celebrities including boxer Amir Khan, former Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas, Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo and WAG Rebekah Vardy.

Read more: Corrie’s Jennie McAlpine missing special moment in son’s life to do I’m A Celeb

Also taking part are retired footballer Dennis Wise, YouTuber Jack Maynard, comedian Shappi Khorsandi, Boris Johnson’s dad Stanley and The Saturdays popstar Vanessa White.

I’m A Celebrity starts Sunday at 9pm on ITV.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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