Coleen Rooney, the 38-year-old TV personality and wife of footballer Wayne Rooney, is rumored to be a potential contestant for this year’s upcoming I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here series on ITV. Reports circulating indicate that Coleen may be exempt from certain jungle trials due to a health condition she struggles with. The Sun revealed that Coleen suffers from reactive arthritis, a painful condition that causes swelling in joints across the body, with particular impact on the feet, hips, ankles, and knees. Her condition reportedly worsens during stressful periods, such as during the Wagatha Christie legal case in 2022.
An anonymous source related to the show mentioned, “Coleen’s reactive arthritis being triggered by stress means execs want to wrap her in cotton wool and keep her happy and healthy… The condition is currently under control so at this stage it’s a ‘could be’ ruled out rather than a ‘will be’. However, her ability to participate in each trial will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if she experiences a flare-up.” ITV has been approached for comment regarding these claims.
Rumours also suggest that Coleen is set to join other celebrities such as former X Factor judge Tulisa and Love Island’s Maura Higgins in the jungle this year. Although the official line-up for the show has yet to be confirmed by ITV, insiders at the channel are reportedly surprised to have secured Coleen for the series, as per the Mirror. This appearance comes after seven years since fellow WAG Rebekah Vardy, married to footballer Jamie Vardy, participated in the show, in what some have described as the ‘ultimate revenge’ scenario.
In 2019, Coleen publicly accused Rebekah of leaking stories about her to the press, leading to a legal battle dubbed the ‘WAGatha Christie’ case. A judge ruled in Coleen’s favour in 2022, acknowledging it was ‘likely’ that Rebekah’s agent had provided information to the media. In a Disney+ documentary on the case, Coleen revealed the toll the situation took on her, contributing to increased anxiety and a severe bout of reactive arthritis. The legal battle is set for another hearing due to a disagreement over costs.
The potential participation of Coleen Rooney in I’m A Celebrity has stirred significant interest, particularly given her history with the Wagatha Christie saga and her reported health struggles. Fans and viewers are anticipating how her presence in the show might unfold, especially in light of the challenges she may face due to her health condition. Stay tuned for further updates on the show and the confirmed cast for this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here series.