Wayne Rooney has emerged as the early favorite to win "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" as the show's full lineup and series launch date have been confirmed. The former footballer, 41, joins the reality competition following in the footsteps of his wife, Coleen Rooney, who competed in 2024.
According to betting odds from William Hill, Rooney is currently leading the race to be crowned King of the Jungle with odds of 11/4. "There's a decent bit of pressure on Wayne Rooney to deliver in the Jungle, particularly with Coleen having come so close to winning the show in 2024," said Lee Phelps, a spokesperson for William Hill. "At 11/4, he's made a strong start in the betting and is the early name to beat."
Other notable contestants include comedian Leigh Francis, "Gavin & Stacey" star Joanna Page, and social media personality Sharky, who are all joint-second favorites with odds of 6/1. Chloe Burrows rounds out the top five at 9/1.
At the other end of the betting market, Mariella Frostrup (25/1) and Leomie Anderson (20/1) are considered the least likely to win among this year's contestants.
The series is set to premiere on Monday, November 16, at 9 p.m. on ITV. The full lineup also includes Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson, Paralympian Ade Adepitan, Big Brother host AJ Odudu, soap star Claire Sweeney, and comedian Jack Skipper.
Reports suggest Rooney has secured the show's largest fee in its 24-year history, reportedly exceeding the £1.5 million Coleen Rooney earned for her participation two years ago. Wayne Rooney previously expressed interest in appearing on the show, stating in 2024 that it was something he "would never say no to."
Rooney's participation comes shortly after the release of the family's fly-on-the-wall documentary, "The Real Rooneys," which offered an intimate look into their family life. The former footballer has also recently garnered attention for his physical transformation, including a nose job and weight loss.