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I'm a Celebrity 2020: 12 rumoured contestants

The ITV show is taking place on home soil this year

im a celebrity rumoured contestants
Emmy Griffiths
TV & Film Editor
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carole baskin© Photo: Netflix

ITV will soon be treating us to a brand new series of I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and although the series will look very different this year, it already looks set to be a big hit with viewers. 

Ant and Dec and a bunch of famous faces will be heading to Gwrych Castle, Abergele in Wales, to undertake gruelling trials and fun-filled challenges. But who exactly will be camping out in the castle?

Although the line-up is yet to be officially announced, we're already wondering which famous faces will be taking part this year. Check out some of the rumoured contestants below...

MORE: Ant McPartlin admits he never asked Holly Willoughby about her I'm a Celebrity stint

Carole Baskin

Those of us who tuned in to watch Netflix's Tiger King earlier this year will be familiar with Carole Baskin as the zoologist enemy of Joe Exotic.

Carole was known for her quirky ways and memorable catchphrases, so we can't help but think she'd be a highly entertaining addition to the line-up. Ant and Dec responded to reports that Carole was joining after appearing on This Morning last month.

Holly Willoughby exclaimed to the presenters: "All I'm saying is Carole Baskin?" to which Ant coyly responded: "That is a rumour, yes. We can't comment on the bookings, but the rumours are there."

selling sunset christine© Photo: Netflix

Christine Quinn

Another Netflix highlight of lockdown was Selling Sunset – the guilty pleasure TV show that got us all hooked on the glamourous lifestyles of LA-based real estate agents.

Leader of the pack, Christine Quinn, is rumoured to be heading to Wales according to betting agent Ladbrokes. We would LOVE to see the outfits Christine pulls out of the bag for Gwrych Castle!

MORE: How much will contestants be paid for I'm a Celebrity 2020?

jessica plummer© Photo: Getty Images

Jessica Plummer

EastEnders actress Jessica Plummer is reportedly heading to Wales for this series, according to The Sun. Although not confirmed, the TV star certainly has a clearer schedule after leaving the soap last month. Could she be following in fellow Albert Square alumni Jacqueline Jossa's footsteps?

MORE: Stacey Dooley saddens fans after surprising TV announcement

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aj pritchard© Photo: Getty Images

AJ Pritchard

Quitting Strictly Come Dancing means that AJ would have the time to head to Wales, right? Speaking to Steph McGovern on Channel 4's The Steph Show, AJ previously opened up about the rumours he would be taking part, saying: "Well, let me put it like this, I've just cleaned out the loft as my mum has a list of jobs for us to do.

"The amount of spiders up there, I was screaming my head off. So, if anything like that did happen, it would be hilarious – that’s for sure!"

AJ’s brother, Love Island's Curtis Pritchard, added: "I would love to see AJ in a coffin, well not like that, I meant surrounded by animals, in a confined space doing a trial!" 

MORE: I'm a Celebrity confirms future following Wales lockdown

im lucy fallon© Photo: Getty Images

Lucy Fallon 

Lucy is rumoured to be joining the lineup this year after leaving Coronation Street in January. Speaking about quitting the soap, she previously said: "At the end of January I will leave Corrie but will be on screen until March, it's going to be horrible. I'll have been there five years. But it feels like the right time.

"I will miss everyone so much. I can't think about it properly cos I’ll get upset. I've had the best time, it's a cliche but we're like a family. I'll be devastated but hopefully they keep me in the group chat!" Will she be getting a new jungle family instead? Only time will tell! 

MORE: Dancing On Ice 2021: see the complete line-up here!

john barnes© Photo: Getty Images

John Barnes

According to the Mirror, the former Liverpool and England star has revealed to the Bonus Code Bets website that he will be taking part in the show and is ready to tackle all the challenges thrown his way!

John reportedly explained: "I've done a number of shows in my days, from Family Fortune to Strictly Come Dancing but nothing as adventurous as I'm a Celeb. And to be honest, there's nothing that I wouldn't eat or anything I wouldn't do... I'm fairly easy-going, if they asked me to do something, I'd do it."

The athlete then further explained why he wanted to take on the challenge of the jungle, stating: "Similar to why I went on to do Strictly Come Dancing all those years ago, it'd be good to lose some weight, perhaps try to beat Nick Knowles' two-stone weight loss." 

maura higgins© Photo: ITV

Maura Higgins

The former Love Island star is high on the bookie's list of celebs who will be taking part in this year's show. According to BoyleSports, there is an 8/1 chance she'll be heading to the jungle - we'll take those odds!

While Maura has yet to speak about whether she will be involved, it sounds like she certainly hasn't ruled anything out! 

She previously told Metro: "I’ve heard a lot of things that I’m supposedly meant to be going on and you know what, who knows. Right now, I’m just taking every day as it comes and there are lots of exciting opportunities there but I can’t really comment on anything because I really don’t know." 

MORE: Phillip Schofield reveals sentimental family home feature

charles ingram© Photo: Getty Images

Charles Ingram 

Now this would be interesting! With renewed interest in the Ingrams since the ITV show Quiz premiered in early 2020 - could the coughing Major himself be entering the jungle? According to Ladbrokes, there is a 3/1 chance he would be taking part in the upcoming 2020 version of the show. 

eric cantona© Photo: Getty Images

Eric Cantona

According to The Sun, producers are seriously keen to welcome the retired footballer to the castle. According to the newspaper, the show's producer reportedly said: "I just like the idea of Eric Cantona talking in French and coming up with really profound things. That would be good."

We'd love to see him join!

joe sugg© Photo: Getty Images

Joe Sugg

The YouTuber has done Strictly and Bake Off - so I'm a Celebrity could complete the golden trio, right? Previously chatting about whether he could see himself going on the show, he told PA: "I don't think I’d survive because they live on rice and beans. I'm so slim and I find it hard to put on weight, so I don’t think I’d last very long in the jungle. I think I'd waste away."

matt baker© Photo: Getty Images

Matt Baker

After leaving The One Show, could Matt Baker be taking on the Bush Tucker trials? The TV presenter spoke about whether he would be involved in a virtual interview with HELLO!, saying: "I haven't had any conversations yet. I am reluctant to say no to anything without having a good think about it." 

jeremy clarkson

Jeremy Clarkson 

The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? host certainly isn't against the idea, and we would love to see him do a Bush Tucker trial or two! Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, he previously said he'd do the show if the time was right.

He explained: "We all say no now because we’ve all got jobs. If you're down the line and somebody said, 'Here's a hundred thousand pounds to go and eat some maggots', count me in! Yes, I'd go and do it. Never say never to that!"

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