Beverley Callard has said that being on a contestant on I'm A Celebrity helped her with her "low self-esteem" and gave her fresh confidence.
The former Coronation Street star, appeared on the reality show when it aired in a Welsh castle during the Covid pandemic in 2020, where she finished in 10th place. She will return for a new all-star of I'm A Celebrity....Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa.
"It gave me confidence", Callard said when recalling her 2020 appearance on the show. "I do tend to suffer from low self-esteem and without sounding big-headed, because people kept telling me they loved me and how down to earth I was, it gave me confidence and it was lovely to be with such a wonderful group of people".
Speaking about her upcoming appearance in South Africa, Beverley Callard said she was "gobsmacked" to receive the call to return.
"I was really flattered when I got the call", she revealed. "In fact, I was gobsmacked! But I said 'yes’ because Wales was so different. We didn’t get to experience the Australian jungle and the bedroom was minus one".
She continued: "To be part of the South Africa jungle is going to be a very different experience".
Other household names joining Beverley Callard on the show include, Olympian Mo Farrah, TV personality Gemma Collins, former boxer David Haye, former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffat, Pussycat Dolls' Ashley Roberts.
Speaking about her 2012 appearance on the show, Roberts stated that I'm A Celeb "changed my life".
"I’ve lived in the UK ever since I left the jungle 14 years ago and that in itself is amazing", she continued. "When I got the call, I knew it was going to be nuts again, but what a beautiful gift the programme gave me and so I said yes".
"I’m intrigued, interested but also scared to see what I am up against now", she added. "But I know doing this show really does make you feel alive and it’s so empowering".
While she is looking forward to a "digital detox", Roberts admitted she was concerned about the strict camp diet.
"Those first few days you really miss home and it really reminds you how life is so precious and how the connections with loved ones are so meaningful", she explained. "But the people in the camp really do make it and I hope there will be another group of great people I can make friends for life with".
"I’m looking forward to another digital detox but as far as the food goes, that was so challenging".
A new element to this new series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, which will give the fans the chance to decide who is crowned the 'ultimate legend 2026', with fans having their say on the winner in a live grand final broadcast direct from London.
Red Dwarf star Craig Charles, who also starred alongside Callard in Coronation Street, will also feature, as well as former footballer Jimmy Bullard, comedian Seann Walsh, former football manager, Harry Redknapp and actor Adam Thomas.
The first South Africa series aired in 2023, with former Australian series runner up, Myleene Klass coming out on top.
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa will begin on Monday April 6, airing every weeknight at 9pm.
Beverley Callard has also gained plenty of praise for her sheer honesty following her recent post cancer operation updates on social media. More on this here.
