The full line-up for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here 2024 has just been announced, with a host of famous faces heading into the jungle.
The hugely popular reality TV show will see the celebrity campmates thrown into the Australian wilderness, ready to take on a series of Bushtucker Trials and other challenges.
This year’s line-up includes Coleen Rooney, Corrie’s Alan Halsall, Strictly star Oti Mabuse and former boxing champion Barry McGuigan.
There are also a few big names from the music industry, social media stars, and daytime TV favourites joining the I’m A Celebrity line-up for 2024.
Last year, the hit show – presented by Ant and Dec – was the biggest entertainment series on any channel, with just under 11 million viewers.
This year’s is sure to bring in similar numbers with its star-studded cast.
Coleen Rooney is arguably the biggest name on this year’s I’m A Celebrity line-up (especially once you factor in the rumours that Rebekah Vardy may be added as a surprise campmate later in the series…)
Coleen said that the hardest part of heading into the jungle will be being away from her husband, footballer Wayne Rooney, and their four sons.
She said: “Wayne is supportive. He did say, ‘You know you are going to be on camera 24/7?’ but I said, ‘Yeah that’s the show!’. He is fine with it all.”
Coleen Rooney has joined the I’m A Celebrity 2024 line-up. Credit: ITV PlcOti Mabuse is also heading into the I’m A Celebrity jungle. Credit: ITV Plc
“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.”
Coronation Street legend Alan Halsall, who has played Tyrone Dobbs since 1998, is also joining this year’s camp, saying that he’ll miss being on Corrie for a bit (and golf) but hopes people will get to know him rather than his character.
As for phobias, he said: “I’m not scared of anything at home but if you were to put ten snakes on my head, I don’t know how I would feel about that as clearly I’ve never been in that situation before!”
Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse will be one of the famous faces around the campfire this autumn – and she’s foolishly admitted she’s petrified of snakes, so will inevitably be faced with a bucket of them on arrival. Great telly.
Corrie’s Alan Halsall is on the I’m A Celebrity 2024 line-up. Credit: ITV PlcThe famous campmates include Danny Jones from McFly. Credit: ITV Plc
She said: “I’d like to think I will be a comfort mum in camp. I can listen to stories, motivate and hopefully entertain everyone with a bit of dancing. I hope to teach everyone a few moves. We will create our own talent show in the jungle!”
McFly star Danny Jones said that he hopes he doesn’t ‘come home with new phobias’ after his stint in the jungle.
Speak of his prep for I’m A Celebrity, he said: “I’d love to have my guitar… to be without it is going to be a killer.
“I’ve stopped drinking caffeine. I’ve lowered my calories a little bit. It’s going alright. I felt the hunger for a few days. It’s not going to be anything like the rice and beans!”
Loose Women’s Jane Moore sounds like she’s going to have a horrible time with the Bushtucker Trials – she said: “I’m not sure how I will feel when faced with Australian creepy crawlies, as they are so much bigger and I’m not fond of cold water either – so any of the water Trials I would not really want to do.”
Tulisa Contostavlos of N-Dubz fame said: “I am like Frodo Baggins on an unexpected journey. I feel really adventurous this year and the place I am now in, I want to do things that take me out of my comfort zone.
“I have always said I wouldn’t do this show in the past, as there are things that have terrified me. But the person I am now, I want to throw caution to the wind.”
GK Barry is heading into the jungle. Credit: ITV PlcTulisa from N-Dubz is on the I’m A Celebrity 2024 line-up. Credit: ITV Plc
GK Barry will be swapping out podcasts for the jungle, saying that she’s an Ant & Dec super fan.
“I can’t wait to meet them in Australia in the jungle. I am also excited to meet everyone on the programme, as the cast is always so amazing.”
Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough is another one who is apparently scared of everything, saying: “The more I think about being put in the ground with 50 snakes or getting those green fly things that bite poured over me – well there’s just no point thinking about it, as otherwise I won’t get on the plane!
“When Ant & Dec say things like, ‘We are going to suspend you off the side of that cliff’, you know it is not going to be a fun day out. It’s no Alton Towers – it will be torturous.
“I made the mistake of watching episode one from last year and I nearly passed out watching it. I had to turn it off. And I hate cockroaches. There was a cockroach in a hostel I stayed in once and I checked out during the middle of the night, as the thought of it – urgh, even talking about it now gives me the chills.”
TV presenter and DJ Melvin Odoom said snoring is his biggest fear and added of his friend Marvin Humes (a previous I’m A Celebrity star): “I want to look like Marvin did last year when he looked sick in the shower!”
Boxing champion Barry McGuigan said his role might fall into the category of referee: “I acted as a referee and appeaser in Hell’s Kitchen. But this is different. A whole different set of circumstances. It’ll be a challenge.
“I would imagine I’ll be one of the elders and you can look at that in a calming down way. I might get irritated. I really don’t know.”
I’m A Celebrity will return to the air on Sunday 17 November 17.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – a masterclass in comedy, colour and movement
Danny Jones
To start with, we’re going to begin this review by advocating for going into stage shows with as little knowledge as possible because it only dials up the already exaggerated nature even further – we knew next to nothing about Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat before seeing it in Manchester.
And we truly think it helped.
Now, when we say nothing, we’ve obviously heard the title plenty of times over the years as it remains one of the most celebrated musical productions on the planet, and you don’t need to be an avid theatre buff to know who Andrew Lloyd Webber is. The point being is that all we knew was its reputation.
Going along with a second party several decades older than us who shared the same blindspot and just never quite understood what all the fuss was about makes the next part even funnier: we both loved it.
Colour, colour and more colour.Some impressive yet superbly simple production value.Our review of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Opera House in Manchester. (Credit: Press Tristram Kenton)
We’re not going to dive too heavily into the story as we’re sure plenty of you who are more well-versed in the genre don’t need a synopsis regurgitating for the umpteenth time, but what we will say is that we’re somewhat glad we weren’t aware of its religious themes and numerous biblical references.
Not because we have any particular issue with Christianity nor adapting stories within theologies to turn them into entertainment, but because as atheists we probably would have been less keen to choose this particular text over another.
However, this is why we’re thankful for going in blind as we fear many others have missed out on this long-standing vibrant, energetic, all-singing, all-dancing twist on the tale of Genesis for decades simply due to being non-believers/agnostic.
That being said, we can confidently assure you that not only can you put your thoughts on faith to one side for the duration of the performance but, for us at least, it felt like it was more of an undercurrent than anything else and had little bearing on what a truly joyful evening for all ages.
You also get hand-held through it through the eyes of the children being retold the story right in front of you by the expert narrator, Christina Bianco, whose interventions and comic timing were lethal on a crowd already easily cracked up by a punchline or two – but she had the best of the lot.
Where else to begin than with Joseph himself, played by Adam Filipe, who although we’ll admit to being layman on the subject until last night, feels almost born to play the role.
Not only did he bring respite to an otherwise frenetic (in the best way possible) onslaught of singing with his ability to deliver certain lines as nothing more than perfectly enunciated and emotional speech, but his voice was on point throughout and the way he made full use of the stage from the start was great.
One particularly immature slide up the curved wall of the set in the opening five minutes and we knew all we needed to know about not just movement but the rest of the cast too; pretty much non-stop movement and expression virtually at all times.
The dancing – particularly a rather hilarious ‘can-can’ confusion – was top-notch throughout and no matter which bright, flowing costume he or the ensemble was wearing during a specific number, they all looked the part and didn’t put a foot out of place.
Even a more serious interlude was welcome.We’d have loved more yellow-forward moment and backdrops in the palette but that’s just us being picky…Credit: Press Images
But much to our delight, there really wasn’t one standout performance that stood head and shoulders above the rest, simply because they were all brilliant.
Whether it was the Jacobs and Sons company of brothers bringing both melodrama and some comic relief, or the score of female dancers delivering an elegance and added level of pageantry to proceedings, they all played their part.
However, every time one or more of the kids took to the stage a show-stealing moment was ripe for the picking and they all seized their opportunity, be it in unison or in the select few solo moments in the spotlight. An audience is always going to get up for youngsters shining front and centre.
But, we suppose if we absolutely had to give another special mention to another member of the production and single them out, there’s only one person it could be…
Having previously played the lead role back in 2016 following his X-Factor success, Joe McElderry returns to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Manc crowd in the role of the Pharoah and boy was he good having passed the baton and shifted gears. So good and so funny.
As well as an expert command of light, colour and choreography, the one thing we were surprised by was just how well-placed the comedy was throughout.
Not too much, not too little and nothing too contrived – a hard balance to strike and one that helps ease in those rare typically theatre-goers prone to a touch of cringe.
All in all, we sincerely urge you to go and see this show for yourselves, especially if you’re like us and have never given it a chance before. You won’t regret it.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is on in Manchester until Sunday, 9 March. You can still grab tickets HERE.
In case you were wondering who stole the show in @JosephMusical at the @PalaceAndOpera, they all did… but we'll admit the Pharoah is a bit of a legend. 😅👏
Thousands of cinema tickets are being given away for FREE across the UK next month
Emily Sergeant
Thousands of cinema tickets are being given away for free all across the UK next month, and you can get your hands on them now.
As part of Escapes – a project supported by the British Film Institute (BFI) and National Lottery funding giving everyone the opportunity to “enjoy the big screen experience” and “discover independent cinema” – tens of thousands of cinema tickets are now up for grabs in Greater Manchester and across the UK for completely free of charge.
The ultimate aim of the Escapes project is to “bring new audiences” to the cinema, whether you’re someone who always prioritises a trip to the cinema, someone who treasures a visit but only on a special occasion, or someone who’s just keen to discover more.
There is a slight catch though… these tickets are only to see one particular film.
You can get free tickets to see The Penguin Lessons starring Steve Coogan next month / Credit: Sony Pictures Classics
But as far as free tickets to cinema go, let’s just say you could do a whole lot worse than taking a trip to see the the new heartwarming drama-comedy The Penguin Lessons on Monday 17 March, before it gets its wider release to the public.
The Penguin Lessons – which is inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who takes up a teaching post in Argentina in 1976 – tells the story of Tom, played by Steve Coogan, who arrives expecting an easy ride, however he quickly finds himself in a divided nation with a class of unteachable students.
After rescuing a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, Tom’s life is turned upside-down, leading to unexpected friendships and profound life lessons.
From the director of the Full Monty and the writer of Philomena, and also featuring a performance from Jonathan Pryce, the film promises to be both “humorous and heartfelt” by combining comedy and drama, and is ideal for film-lovers looking for a story that will bring all the feels this March.
This is the second year Escapes is offering free cinema tickets, after already making a huge impact with more than 65,000 tickets claimed in 2024 alone.
All showings of The Penguin Lessons will be screened with descriptive subtitles.
Escapes is partnering with leading cinema chains, as well as independent venues across the UK throughout 2025.
If a touching comedy-drama about a penguin doesn’t really sound like something up your street though, not to worry, as The Penguin Lesson is only the first film on the lineup in 2025, as Escapes is set to announce a range of other new films to preview all throughout the year.
You can find out more about Escapes, find out which Greater Manchester cinemas are participating, and grab your free ticket to see The Penguin Lessons on Monday 17 March here.
Daisy Jackson -
12th November 2024 
