I'm a Celebrity 2018: Line-up rumours, will Ant and Dec return and everything else you need to know

I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!2018 may seem a long way off at the moment, but trust us, behind-the-scenes, telly bosses are already working their butts off.

The 2017 series was a huge, huge success and became the most-watched programme on ITV last year. The launch episode, which marked the reunion of Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly following the former’s first stint in rehab, secured an audience share of 46% with a peak of 11.2 million viewers tuning in. To put that into perspective, The X Factor has been attracting around the 5 million mark. Yep… exactly.

Let’s just say ITV bosses are very happy with their delivery last year – and so were we because the line-up was fantastic, Ant and Dec were on fire, and as for the Bushtucker Trials… well, let’s just say that producers outdid themselves.

But now, the race is on to make the 2018 season even better, but are TV bosses up to the challenge? Well, here’s everything we know about the upcoming series so far – you decide!

I’m A Celebrity 2018 cast: Who’s going in?

ITV will not confirm the final line-up until much closer to the time. However, these are the names show bosses have in mind, according to the rumour mill…

Christine McGuinness

Who? Real Housewives of Cheshire guest and wife of Paddy McGuinness

What’s the rumour? Reports claim that ITV is keen to sign up rising star Christine, who is beginning to beginning to branch out into the world of reality TV. Commenting on the claims, she tellingly didn’t rule out a spell in the jungle on This Morning; “I don’t know about the jungle, I’d need a really good babysitter, or I’d have to take them with me. But I’m petrified of everything, it’d be like having Helen Flanagan back on there again.”

Catherine Tyldesley

Who? Coronation Street actress

What’s the rumour? Bookies are confident the Eva Price actress will be entering the jungle as she’s already confirmed that she will be taking some lengthy time out towards the end of this year. During an interview with OK! magazine, Catherine revealed she’s planning on going travelling. it’s possible that a stop-off in Oz could be on the cards…

Frankie Bridge

©
Channel 5

Who? TV presenter and member of The Saturdays

What’s the rumour? ITV has reportedly been keen on signing up Frankie ever since her husband Wayne Bridge entered the jungle in 2016. She was hugely popular on Strictly in 2014, could she prove as popular on I‘m A Celeb?

Brendan Cole

©
Rex Shutterstock

Who? Axed Strictly star

What’s the rumour? Brendan’s going to have a lot more time on his hands following his unexpected departure from Strictly. And it’s rumoured that I’m A Celeb could be his next move. A source told The Sun: “Brendan is outspoken and ITV think he’d be gold.”

Shayne Ward

Who?Coronation Street actor

What’s the rumour? Shayne’s days on the cobbles are numbered. He will soon be filming his last ever scenes and it’s expected that they will be broadcast next month. Some think his next move could be a stint in the jungle given his close ties to ITV.

Michael Le Vell

Who?Coronation Street actor

What’s the rumour? It wouldn’t be the first time I’m A Celeb has recruited two stars from the cobbles to head into the jungle. According to The Sun, Michael is a hot favourite for the jungle. A source told the paper: “It’s still early days for producers on I’m A Celeb, but Michael is a name they’re looking at.”

I’m A Celebrity 2018 Ant and Dec: Are they coming back?

It’s hard to imagine a world in which Ant and Dec are not the hosts of I’m A Celebrity. But after recent events, it looks likely that Dec may heading to Oz without his best friend for the first time in the show’s history.

On March 18, Ant was arrested on suspicion of drink driving following a car crash which left a number of individuals being treated at the scene for minor injuries. A month later, he was fined £86,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after pleading guilty to being twice the legal drink drive limit.

Since then, Ant has announced that he is returning to rehab for further treatment and is taking a step back from the limelight, including presenting duties.

While he recovers, Dec has been taking care of their joint work commitments by himself for the first time in his career. Earlier this year, he presented Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on his own and ITV has confirmed that he will be fronting the Britain’s Got Talent live shows solo as well.

It’s believed Ant will still be taking time out to ensure he makes a full recovery when I’m A Celebrity returns later this year. His close friend Britain’s Got More Talent host Stephen Mulhern suggested that Ant is expected to make his comeback in 2019 instead. Speaking to Best magazine, he said: “Fingers crossed, Ant will get the treatment he needs and be back to his old self for next year. But he does need the rest and to be left alone, and given the time to recover.”

So it seems likely Dec will be heading Down Under on his own to host I’m A Celeb 2018.

I’m A Celebrity 2018: Extra Camp

I’m a Celebrity’s spin-off show has a habit of switching up its presenters every year. But will it be any different in 2018 or has I’m a Celebrity‘s sister show finally found its winning formula?

Well, according to Joel Dommett it actually has, as he revealed that he, Scarlett Moffatt and Joe Swash will “all be going out again” when the next series returns (via The Sun).

“It was the most successful show that they’ve had for years,” Joel explained. “The producers were super happy with it, I was so proud of it and what we made of the show.”

Singing the group’s praises (and then some), the former I’m a Celeb contestant and comedian added: “Everyone really loved us, so it’s great.”

Nice one!

I’m A Celebrity 2018 episodes: How long will the new series run for?

The show is usually on for around three weeks.

Keeping in line with tradition, the 2018 series will most likely broadcast around 22 episodes.

I’m a Celebrity 2018 final: When’s it on?

Last year, the series finished on Sunday, December 10.

With that in mind, we expect ITV to announce that the 2018 series will conclude on Sunday, December 9.

Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit ‘Like’ on our Digital Spy Facebook page and ‘Follow’ on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you’re all set.