Who Is On Celebrity Jungle This Year

So, it’s that time of year again. The weather is getting a bit nippy, the nights are drawing in, and your brain is yelling for comfort food. But more importantly, Celebrity Jungle is back on our screens. You know the one—the show where famous people eat bugs and cry into campfires while we sit on our sofas, smug and warm. And the big question everyone’s asking: who is on it this year?

Let’s be honest, the casting is the real star of the show. It’s like your mate who throws a dinner party and invites a weird mix of people from different friend groups. You’ve got the soap star, the pop singer, the reality TV villain, and that one person you vaguely remember from a 90s boyband. This year is no different, and it’s glorious chaos.

Meet the campmates you’ll actually root for

First up, we’ve got a radio DJ who is basically your cheerful work colleague. You know the type—always brings in biscuits, tells a slightly inappropriate joke, but can’t handle a spider. In the jungle, they’re usually the first to crack during a Bushtucker trial. You’ll find yourself shouting at the telly, “Just eat the witchetty grub, Sharon! It’s protein!” while secretly admiring their sheer panic.

Then there’s the soap star. Every year, there’s one. They’ve been on our telly for twenty years, playing a villain or a saint, and you feel like you’ve grown up with them. They’ll probably get emotional on day three, missing their kids and their kettle. It’s impossible not to love them for it, because honestly, who wouldn’t miss a proper cuppa?

And of course, the pop star from the noughties. You remember their one big hit, and you’ll be humming it for the next six weeks. They’ll try to be brave, but by the second trial, they’ll be screaming like you do when you accidentally touch a hot pan. It’s relatable. You’ve been there.

Why you should care (even if you don’t watch reality TV)

Look, I get it. You might think, “Why should I care about famous people eating kangaroo testicles?” But here’s the thing: Celebrity Jungle is a mirror. It reflects our own daily struggles, just with more insects and less Wi-Fi.

Think about your Tuesday morning. You’re tired, you’ve got a long day, and someone has eaten the last biscuit. In the jungle, that same drama plays out over a single coconut. When they argue over firewood, it’s basically your office meeting about the thermostat, but with better lighting. You’ll watch them squabble and think, “Yep, I’ve seen that happen at the school gates.” It’s comforting in a weird way.

Also, the show is a masterclass in resilience. These people are stripped of makeup, luxury, and basic dignity. They face their biggest fears—spiders, heights, not showering for a week. And you know what? They survive. It’s strangely inspiring. If a reality star can eat a live cockroach, you can probably handle that dentist appointment you’ve been avoiding. Probably.

The real reason we tune in

Let’s not kid ourselves. The main reason we care is the transformation. We love watching someone go from “I’m a glamorous influencer” to “I haven’t brushed my hair in a week and I just cried over a banana.” It’s the same joy you get from seeing a perfectly staged Instagram photo, then finding out the person has a stain on their jumper in real life. Flawed is more fun.

This year’s lineup includes a former athlete who will probably be the camp dad, a comedienne who’ll crack jokes about the smell, and a reality star you love to hate. They’re all thrown together like a messy group chat. You’ll pick a favourite by episode two, and you’ll defend them to your spouse like it’s a World Cup final.

How to watch like a pro

Grab a blanket, make a cup of tea (or something stronger), and prepare for the ritual. You’ll watch the trials with your hands over your eyes. You’ll laugh when someone falls over in the mud. You’ll feel a little bit sick when they have to drink a smoothie of fish eyes. But mostly, you’ll feel part of a huge, weird family.

Because that’s the magic of Celebrity Jungle. It’s not about the celebrities, really. It’s about you, sitting there, thinking, “I could do that better,” while secretly knowing you absolutely could not. It’s about shared giggles at work the next day. It’s about having a reason to stay up late and forget your own laundry for a bit.

So, who is on it this year? A bunch of familiar faces, a few you’ve forgotten, and one you’ll learn to love. Tune in, grab a snack, and let the jungle nonsense begin. You deserve a little escape, even if it comes with a side of crocodile anus. Enjoy the mess.