Rooney to lead I'm A Celebrity 2026 cast

Wayne Rooney is set to receive the highest payment among the contestants for the upcoming series of I'm A Celebrity. The former footballer will compete in the show, which begins airing on November 16.

Sources indicate that Rooney has signed on for a six-figure sum. This fee represents the largest payout for the current line-up. However, it is lower than the £1.5 million reportedly paid to his wife, Coleen Rooney, for her appearance in the 2024 series.

Coleen Rooney finished as the runner-up in 2024. Her fee followed the high-profile Wagatha Christie trial. ITV also reportedly paid the same £1.5 million to Nigel Farage for his participation in the 2023 season, where he placed third.

Rooney, who is 41 years old, is viewed as a major draw for the program. A source said that Rooney is the biggest name in the group and has secured the largest pay cheque. The source added that ITV was willing to pay to secure his involvement.

The 41-year-old father of four sons reportedly aims to impress his children through his performance in the show's Bushtucker Trials. He joins a roster of other well-known figures for the 2026 series.

Other confirmed participants include Joanna Page, Ricky Wilson, AJ Odudu, Mariella Frostup, and Leigh Francis. Francis, also known as Keith Lemon, is a comedian whom hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have previously expressed a desire to see in the jungle. On their podcast, the hosts said they would like to watch him complete a trial.

The previous winner of the show in 2025 was Morgan Burtwistle, known online as Angry Ginge. Tom Read Wilson finished as the runner-up in that season. ITV and Rooney's representative have been contacted for comment. The new series will air at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX starting November 16.