Vogue Williams is officially heading into the Australian jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! — and the Dublin presenter says turning 40 pushed her to finally take on one of TV’s toughest challenges.
Speaking ahead of the new series, Vogue admitted she has signed up precisely because the show terrifies her. She joked that she has phobias of “everything”, saying: “Everything! I think I have a level of fear around most things and I don’t normally spend time around insects. I know people get stuck in coffins and I am not looking forward to that either!”
Despite being one of Ireland’s best-known broadcasters, Vogue says she’s keen for the public to see a less polished side of her. “Most people who listen to my podcast know my personality now, but for work I do have to get glammed up. I am actually happy without that.”
The busy mum of three says she usually avoids anything outside her comfort zone — but hitting a milestone birthday changed her perspective. “I always thought I wouldn’t do it, because I’ve gotten too comfortable in my life. I like to have eight hours of sleep, I like to eat nice things, I like to just chill out and I never put myself out of my comfort zone. Then when I turned 40, I started to get scared of ridiculous things. I didn’t want to be this person… Doing this is such a massive life experience and it is not something you can pay to do.”
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Vogue previously appeared on a survival series with Bear Grylls, but insists this will be far tougher. “I think this is going to be harder because when I did that, I had no responsibilities. I had nobody at home. I was braver back then too.”
The real challenge, she says, will be being away from home. “I am scared of everything, but I think what I am going to struggle with the most is missing my children. I’m very worried about missing the kids, as I have never been away this long before and I spend such a huge amount of time with them. It will be my biggest struggle.”
Her fears extend to the jungle creatures too. “I had a petting zone for a birthday party once. I touched a Chinchilla but that was about it! It’s good to face your phobias though.”
Still, she’s ready to roll up her sleeves in camp. “I enjoy cleaning, organising, and having chats with people. I’m not like MasterChef (standard), but I can certainly cook too.” She also admits she’ll miss her normal routine: “My three pillows I sleep with at night. Also my sleep mask and phone.”
Vogue describes herself as upbeat and competitive, saying: “I’m an upbeat, positive person and I’m also quite competitive, which I hope will help me through the trials to win stars.” But there’s one thing she’s not compromising on: hygiene. “I will be having a shower, because I don’t want to be smelly. But I don’t think I will be doing a Myleene.”
Her husband Spencer Matthews, who previously completed the show, has given his full support. Vogue said he believes she’ll enjoy the experience — even if he’ll be off taking on his own challenge at the same time. They’ve already called in backup: “Thankfully, I have got a big Irish family who are helping us.”
As for winning, Vogue insists that isn’t the goal. “I would love that, but I haven’t thought that will happen. I didn’t say ‘yes’ to win, I said ‘yes’ to go. This is going to be a great time to reflect on a lot of things whilst in camp too. It’s so exciting, and it feels like a really fun and cool idea to do this.”
©ITV - From Lifted Entertainment- Tom Read Wilson_I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here
Alongside Vogue, ITV have also announced that Tom Read Wilson — best known for his witty charm on Celebs Go Dating — is joining the new series. He said he hopes to bring warmth, humour and encouragement into the camp as the celebrities face their jungle trials.
This year’s confirmed celebrity line-up includes Ruby Wax OBE, Martin Kemp, Kelly Brook, Aitch, Alex Scott MBE, Angry Ginge, Shona McGarty, Eddie Kadi, Lisa Riley and Jack Osbourne — making it one of the most eclectic casts the series has seen in years.
With Vogue’s honesty, humour and absolutely no fear of mucking in, Irish viewers will be watching closely to see how she takes on the Bushtucker Trials — even if she insists she’s scared of almost everything.
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! airs nightly at 9pm on Virgin Media Play & Virgin Media One.
