At last count, there were more than 70 names of famous Aussies speculated to be heading for the wilds of South Africa to surrender their phones, creature comforts and dignity to fight it out for the crown of king or queen of the jungle, which cricketer Freddie Flintoff stole last year.
Ten has confirmed that this year, we’ll see a rugby league superstar, an AFL legend, an international DJ and a star from the ’90s on the show, which is hosted by Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris.
Shane Warne, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Denise Drysdale, Lisa McCune, Paris Hilton, Julie Andrews, Dannii Minogue, Cathy Freeman, Chris Lilley and even Dame Edna Everage aka Barry Humphries have all been tipped to be heading to the jungle.
Ten has gone to extraordinary lengths to keep the cast secret until the big reveal on Sunday night, even deliberately fuelling rumours to ensure no-one knows who is in this reality series – perhaps why there’s suddenly so much chatter about Warnie!
Is speculation true about cricketer Shane Warne entering the jungle? We’ll find out on Sunday!
Indeed, even most of the people working on the show still don’t know which celebs have signed on.
But Woman’s Day has learned enough to dispel some of the rumours, and confirm exclusively that British celebrity Bonnie Lythgoe has secretly signed on to the show.
The former judge on the US and Australian versions of So You Think You Can Dance arrived in South Africa a week ago and will be in the jungle come January 31.
We can exclusively confirm that Bonnie Lythgoe has joined the cast.
Now, to all the celebs who WON’T be in the jungle.
Australia’s queen of TV, Kerri-Anne Kennerley tells us she “won’t ever, ever” be giving up her luxuries and bunkering down in a bush camp.
The Celebrity Apprentice star may have been approached, as has Patti Newton, but neither will be there come launch night.
New Studio Ten co-host Denise Drysdale is also a non-starter and it’s unlikely cricket legend and poker entrepreneur Shane Warne will be involved other than as an “intruder” for a very limited time.
It’s more likely that AFL badboy Brendan Fevola is heading to South Africa, given he is back with his wife Alex, and has plenty to talk about around the campfire with his history of gambling problems and infidelities.
There’s also talk of fellow controversial AFL legend, Jason Akermanis.
Will we see “Aker” in the South African wilderness?
Although the final list is still under wraps, but if we had to hazard a guess, we’d tip these names to be entering the jungle: surfer Layne Beachley, rugby league champ and gay icon Ian Roberts, Jason Akermanis, Natalie Imbruglia, George Hamilton, Tania Zaetta, Redfoo, Bruce Samazan, Rhonda Burchmore and Peter Andre, who famously fell in love with Katie Price on the British version filmed on the Gold Coast back in 2004.
Only time will tell! Tune in on Sunday night at 6.30pm EDST on Channel 10!
