Coleen Rooney hopes I'm A Celeb appearance will give public 'better idea' of who she is

Coleen Rooney, wife of Plymouth Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney, is optimistic that her appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! will provide viewers with "a better idea of what kind of person" she is. Rooney has been confirmed to join the cast which includes ex-Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse, boxing champion Barry McGuigan and N-Dubz band member Tulisa Contostavlos.

When questioned about the "biggest misconception" she hopes to correct, Rooney stated: "I have been in the public eye for over 20 years now, and people take what they want from it. I do think people will get a better idea of what kind of person I am."

In 2019, the 38-year-old earned the nickname Wagatha Christie when she accused Vardy, wife of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, of leaking her private information to the media in a viral social media post. In July 2022, a High Court judge ruled that the post was "substantially true".

Discussing her decision to participate in the programme, Rooney said: "It has been year after year I have been asked to go on a programme, and it's always been a straight 'no'. Over the years, there have been different things going on in my life and also, my children have been really young. But they are at an age now where I can go away for this length of time."

"I also feel it's time to have a challenge for me and do something different. It has taken many, many years but I'm finally doing it. And I have always said, if I was going to do one then it would be this show. I think it will be good for me." She also mentioned her regular viewing of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, describing it as a "good family show".

"The most rewarding thing for me is the fact I have actually agreed to do it," she continued. "I am a really organised person and so to take myself away from that is going to be difficult. But I've got a very supportive family around me and I know everything is going to be fine."

Rooney further revealed that what she'll miss most in the jungle are her phone and the ability to jot things down with a notepad and pen, which she loves. Discussing her fears, Rooney admitted to being scared of heights and shared that her best attribute is being "quite a focused person", while her worst trait, as Wayne says, is her snoring.

On the topic of camp responsibilities, she expressed reluctance to take on the role of chef due to concerns about giving "someone food poisoning" despite being the cook at home. "I don't think small portions will be as hard as other things," she concluded.

"I am quite petite and I do run around some days and miss a meal. But not on purpose, more because I am so busy. When that happens, I don't get angry." Rooney also mentioned that Wayne is "supportive", and "fine" with her being on camera round the clock in the jungle, but would be unable to dedicate himself to the lengthy filming schedule of the ITV reality show.

She further stated: "I am not saying he would go in, but he wouldn't be completely put off. I haven't spoken about it with my younger two boys as not many know, but my eldest son told me: 'Yeah, go for it.' My second one was a bit more emotional. He thought about me being away for a long length of time, but hopefully that will pass. My parents are happy too that I'm doing something for me."

Rooney has four sons, Kai Wayne, Klay Anthony, Kit Joseph and Cass Mac, with her teenage love Wayne, and recently featured in her own Disney+ documentary series Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story.

BBC Radio 1 stars Dean McCullough and Melvin Odoom and Loose Women star and internet personality GK Barry are also set to venture into the Australian wilderness. Mabuse, a judge on Dancing On Ice, says that after welcoming her first child, a daughter, last year, she wants "to get back to the adventurous and fun Oti" by participating in the show.

"I feel ready for a change and doing something completely different," she added. "I will have no make-up, concealer, lashes it's going to be nice to be laid back."

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! is set to return on Sunday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.