Royal family member ‘almost signed for I’m A Celebrity but failed to reach an agreement with ITV’

Ant and Dec are just days away from welcoming a fresh new batch of celebrities into the jungle ahead of this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 

And it’s now been revealed that a member of the Royal family almost signed for the upcoming series but failed to reach an agreement with ITV, according to a report. 

Sarah Ferguson, 64, was set to enter the jungle in what would have been one of the show’s biggest deals, The Sun reports. 

A TV source told the publisher: ‘Execs pulled out all the stops to get a huge name and were agonisingly close to sealing the deal with the Duchess.

‘But part of the attraction of getting someone with an interesting life story is that there’s always the possibility of sharing it with the campmates.’

Missing out: It’s now been revealed that Sarah Ferguson almost signed for the upcoming series of I’m A Cele, but failed to reach an agreement with ITV (pictured last week) 

They added: ‘For Fergie, the prospect of being put on the spot with millions watching at home was just too much. Neither side was willing to budge in the end.’

A spokesman for Sarah, Duchess of York said: ‘This is completely untrue. She did not consider appearing on the programme and no discussions of the sort suggested have taken place.’

MailOnline has also contacted ITV for comment. 

The Duchess of York married Prince Andrew in 1986. They divorced ten years later and share daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. 

The likes of Nigel Farage, Jamie Lynn Spears, Josie Gibson, Danielle Harold and Sam Thompson will be entering the jungle when the show kicks off on November 19.

Also joining the star-studded line-up are Fred Sirieix, Marvin Humes, Nick Pickard, Grace Dent and Nella Rose.

The 10 celebrities will be seen for the first time on Sunday night’s launch show when they meet Ant and Dec and prepare to kick off three weeks of living with creepy crawlies and Bushtucker Trials. 

One controversial campmate this year is former leader of the Brexit Party, Nigel, who will be hoping to mimic the success of Matt Hancock last year, who went from being one of the most despised campmates to finishing in third place. 

Nigel is the latest in a long list of political figures to try their luck on the ITV reality show, including MPs Nadine Dorries and Lembit Opik, and Boris Johnson’s father, Stanley.

Also hoping to show the public ‘who I truly am’ is the pop star Britney Spears’ younger sister, Jamie Lynn, 32, who suggested she could be set to spill details on her rift with her famous sister. 

The Duchess of York married Prince Andrew in 1986. They divorced ten years later and share daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (pictured in 2000)

Another campmate hoping to show off a different side to themselves is EastEnders actress Danielle, 31. 

Fellow soap star Nick, 48, is keen to let the public know the real him after playing Tony Hutchinson in Hollyoaks for a whopping three decades. 

Made In Chelsea star Sam, 31, is most looking forward to a digital detox in the jungle, explaining: ‘To be able to throw the phone away and get in the wild will be so cool. I spend my whole life on my phone and so I am looking forward to getting stuck in.’ 

This Morning presenter Josie, 38, is not as optimistic about how much she’ll enjoy the jungle, confessing: ‘I am dreading the insects and it’s my biggest phobia. I also don’t like spiders and I freeze normally when I see one. My family thinks I am mad doing the programme.’ 

Admitting she’s worried about the lack of food in camp, she added: ‘I have never let myself get so hungry before that I have been hangry. People might have to calm me down but I have been trying to build up my endurance and stamina in the run-up to this!’ 

Another one worried about the lack of food is First Dates star Fred, 51, confessing: ‘It’s a challenge to be away from my friends, family, comfort, only drinking water, no coffee, no wine, no mustard on my steak and – in fact – no steak! 

Fred will no doubt have plenty in common with fellow foodie Grace, 50, with the MasterChef star and food critic admitting: ‘I am especially dreading being really hungry because I tend to eat four or five posh meals out a week because I am a restaurant critic.

‘I know they are going to give me an eating trial and I am dreading putting even worse things in my mouth than I have in the past in fancy restaurants! I think I will be writing very stiff columns about the jungle food when I come out!’

Coming soon: The likes of Nigel Farage, Jamie Lynn Spears, Josie Gibson, Danielle Harold and Sam Thompson will be entering the jungle when the show kicks off on November 19

JLS singer Marvin, 38, has been having sleepless nights in the lead up to the jungle, sharing: ‘This is the most daring thing I have ever done and I have never challenged myself this way before. It’s one million per cent harder than performing on stage and I woke up with knots in my stomach this morning thinking about it.’ 

Rounding off the 2023 lineup is YouTuber Nella, 26, who is in for a shock in the jungle as she’s never even gone camping before. 

She confessed: ‘My family have been laughing hysterically ever since I told them I was taking part… I am scared of everything from red ants, tarantulas to rats or ostriches. 

‘A daddy long-legs once flew into my room and I moved out. I was living in my living room and so my family think I am in for a shock.’

I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates

NIGEL FARAGE

Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party  and leader of the Brexit Party.

Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty. 

Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news. 

Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore. 

Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields 

DANIELLE HAROLD

Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.

Phobias: Rats. I hate them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too! 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either. 

Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.

FRED SIRIEIX

Claim to fame: First Dates star.

Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp. 

Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning. 

Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient! 

Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.

NELLA ROSE

Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star. 

Phobias: I am fearful of everything! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book. 

Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.

 Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it! 

Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele. 

NICK PICKARD

Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star. 

Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character. 

Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop! 

Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock. 

JAMIE LYNN SPEARS

Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.

 Phobias: I am scared of everything.

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.

Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone. 

Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed. 

Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot. 

Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.

SAM THOMPSON

Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter. 

Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!

Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming. 

Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things. 

Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle! 

JOSIE GIBSON

Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.

Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information! 

Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on! 

Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry. 

Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her. 

MARVIN HUMES

Claim to fame: JLS star.

Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared! 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me. 

Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator. 

Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too. 

Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food. 

Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.

GRACE DENT

Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic. 

Phobias: Horrible people. 

Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this. 

Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out. 

Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour. 

Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep. 

Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour! 

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