6 days Ago By Jennie Buzaglo
It's taken several years for ITV bosses to convince Melvin Odoom to sign up for I'm a Celebrity...
Get Me Out of Here! . The BBC Radio 1 DJ previously confessed to turning down appearing on the show, insisting he would find too hard and scary. Ahead of taking part in a charity special of The Circle with Rickie Haywood-Williams in 2021, Melvin said: "We have been asked to do I'm a Celebrity .
"We had a meeting with the team, and we're both really scared of any bugs, any animals. I think it's an amazing show to watch. I think it's so entertaining, but I don't think I could hack being in the jungle.
I'd be too scared." The 44-year-old is no stranger to battling it out in tense competitions on TV, having taken part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. Despite being the first contestant voted out, Melvin and his partner Janette Manrara went on to win the Christmas Special the same year.
However, heading into the Australian jungle will no doubt be a completely different experience. Melvin will join former N-Dubz singer Tulisa as well as Dancing on Ice judge Oti Mabuse and Coronation Street star Alan Halsall. Coleen Rooney , McFly singer Danny Jones and Loose Women star Jane Moore are also among the famous faces taking part.
Love Island icon Maura Higgins will also be taking on the gruelling bushtucker trials in a bid to win food for camp, alongside reverend Richard Coles and podcast host GK Barry. Rounding out this year's lineup is legendary sportsman Barry McGuigan and BBC Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough. This year's stars will be in for a shock when they arrive for their stint in the jungle as a key part of the show has now been axed.
Bosses have made the bold choice to eliminate the nail-biting challenge that typically marks the beginning of the show, where celebrities precariously tread along a plank situated at the top of a 314 ft high building before being spirited away to camp. An insider told The Sun: " "Bosses are staying tight-lipped on exactly what they've got lined up to replace the plank, but rest assured it will be equally as terrifying and exhilarating. "It won't be an easy ride into camp for the celebrities this year The source added: "Bosses are pulling out all the stops to ensure the show has a spectacular launch that viewers won't want to miss.
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