Exclusive:
Coleen Rooney has reportedly signed up to the upcoming series of I’m A Celebrity… – but her new telly gig could be making certain people a little nervous
Coleen Rooney, fresh from her second court victory against rival Rebekah Vardy, is rumoured to have signed up for this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here. The wife of football manager Wayne Rooney is believed to have secured the largest deal in the show’s history, with a staggering fee of over £1.5m.
The spouse of ex-Manchester United striker Wayne, who triumphed in the high-profile ‘Wagatha Christie’ libel case in 2022 brought against her by Rebekah Vardy, follows in Rebekah’s footsteps, who took part in I’m A Celeb in 2017 and was the third campmate to be voted off. This news comes just days after Coleen and Rebekah’s courtroom saga was thrust back into the spotlight, with Rebekah ordered to pay Coleen an additional £100,000 following their legal dispute, reports OK!.
Liverpool-born Coleen is frequently seen, whether it’s outside court, on family holidays, or supporting her famous husband from the stands. However, sharing stories around the campfire and having revealing conversations on national TV could reveal a side to the 38 year old mother of four that we’ve never seen before.
This is a fascinating development as, according to insiders, ITV bosses have been ‘desperate’ to secure Coleen for the show, which is filmed in Australia, for quite some time – but she has always declined. “They’ve wanted her in the jungle for over 20 years, but she’s never really been interested,” a source revealed. “When she was young she wasn’t confident enough to do something like that. Then, after she had kids, she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving them – and Wayne.”, reports OK!.
So, what changed her mind this time? The insider suggests that Coleen, mother to sons Kai, 13, Klay, 10, Kit, seven, and Cass, five, with Wayne, has ‘grown’ over the years. Now a recognised name in her own right, she feels it’s the perfect time to do ‘something just for her’.
Despite being thrust into the limelight due to the high-profile Wagatha Christie case, many still see Coleen primarily as ‘Wayne’s wife’, particularly given her steadfast support during multiple infidelity scandals. Wayne’s alleged affairs have been widely publicised throughout their 15-year marriage. In 2010, reports surfaced that he had cheated on Coleen eight years earlier with two sex workers while she was pregnant with their first child.
In 2017, he was arrested and charged with drink-driving after a night out in Wilmslow when he was caught driving a VW Beetle belonging to a woman in her twenties, who he’d been partying with. And in 2019, Wayne was spotted in a Vancouver hotel lobby following an unknown woman into a lift in the early hours.
“She’s been through so much with Wayne, as well as the WAG war with Becky, that she just wants to have some fun and challenge herself and not have the everyday responsibility of being a mum and wife,” the insider revealed. “And she is now a big star in her own right. She doesn’t need Wayne and she’s excited about all the opportunities that may come her way. Obviously, she will miss the boys so much but she has a very supportive family and they would love seeing her on IAC it’s a show they all watch together.”
Lynn Carratt from Pressbox PR reckons it’s the perfect time for Coleen to hit the jungle scene, and it’s not about the cash. “I really don’t believe in Coleen’s case it is about the money – she and Wayne are likely to already have enough to last them the rest of their lives”, she comments. “The jungle won’t be a disaster for her. In fact, it could be the best thing that’s ever happened to her. It’s her time to shine..” Carratt added: “After being thrust into the limelight as a schoolgirl, she carved out a successful media career independently of Wayne’s football fame, while also dealing with scandalous headlines about her husband’s infidelities.”
Lynn reveals that becoming a mother meant Coleen had to pass up various career opportunities, even relocating from her cherished Liverpool to Washington while Wayne played for DC United. “His career always came first. Now her boys are older and Wayne is working in the UK, it’s her time. And there is no better show to do it on than I’m A Celebrity – it really shows how likeable and tenacious a person can be – and Coleen has always come across as loyal, and likeable.”
“Plus, she’ll be doing it for her kids who reportedly love the show, she’ll want to make them proud. Never mind the brand deals that will undoubtedly follow. She could make in excess of £5m if she comes across well in the jungle. But she needs to tuck in on those Bushtucker trials and win over the public.”
“Let’s not forget, she’ll also be well aware that Rebekah Vardy previously competed on the show in 2017 and was the fourth star to be evicted after 16 days, so I’m sure Coleen will be aiming to top that.” With her celebrity status already secured through the Rooney documentary and ‘Coleen: The Wagatha Story’, Lynn adds, “We know Coleen isn’t averse to spilling the tea. Let’s hope there is plenty more to spill.”
The source has revealed that Wayne Rooney had his reservations about wife Coleen’s latest television gig. At first he ‘wasn’t too sure,’ but is well aware he doesn’t have the power to ‘control’ her decisions, pointing out, “If she does the show and wins, it’ll be Coleen who is the family’s big star now, not Wayne. A few years ago, their marriage might not have survived this – but they are stronger now.”
Coleen gearing up for a TV stint may have Wayne apprehensive given their tumultuous history. The source adds, “Wayne is a little worried about what she will say about their marriage, and whether all his past misbehaviour gets brought up. Coleen is very open and honest – if she bonds with someone in there, she will talk about everything she’s been through, including stuff with Wayne and Becky.”
With Coleen Rooney thrown into the jungle mix, viewers should buckle up for some seriously riveting TV.
