Before the launch, the internet goes feral with speculation. Who’s the washed-up soap star? Which reality TV villain is seeking redemption? And, most importantly, which contestant will be a secret absolute legend? That’s the magic of I’m a Celeb—you never know who’ll surprise you. (Remember when the tennis umpire became a national treasure?)
This year, I’m already seeing whispers of a few footballers and a comedian who’s too loud on Twitter. But honestly, half the fun is being wrong about everyone. So, keep refreshing the gossip pages, but take it all with a grain of salt—or a bucket of rice, since that’s all they eat in camp.
How to not miss the announcement
If you’re a chaos gremlin like me, you’ll want to mute every spoiler account on October 31st. The official lineup drop usually happens about a week before the launch, but ITV loves a slow roll-out. One day it’s a silhouette, the next it’s a pair of trainers. It’s agony. My advice? Follow the I’m a Celebrity Instagram page and turn on notifications. You’ll thank me when you see the first face reveal before your mates do.
Also, set a calendar alert for the third Sunday of November—that’s the sweet spot. Write it in Sharpie, tattoo it on your forehead, whatever works. Because the moment that helicopter lands and some celebrity takes a deep breath, you want to be there, ready to judge their footwear choices.
I’m a Celeb 2026: when do the eliminations start?
