Wayne Rooney’s surprising fear comes out just before his appearance on I’m a Celeb
Wayne Rooney has a surprising fear that he’ll hope to avoid while in the jungle, after being announced as the big star for the 2026 season of I’m a Celebrity.
The Manchester United legend, who is the club’s top scorer, has been working as a TV pundit after some tough times managing teams like Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle.
The popular ITV show is coming back on November 16, and according to The Sun, Rooney will be part of the exciting line-up when ITV officially reveals it.
He’s one of the biggest names ever to join the show, following in the footsteps of his wife Coleen, who made it to the final in 2024.
As one of England’s greatest players, Rooney has many skills that could help him do well in the Bushtucker trials and challenges. But at 41, he’s already admitted he has a fear of big fish.
In a chat during a BBC FA Cup game between Brighton and Nottingham Forest, host Gary Lineker joked, “We still got a little time to talk. What we did learn during that first half was that Wayne Rooney’s scared of fish.”
Rooney laughed and said, “I just don’t like them. It’s the big fish that I’m scared of.”
His kids are super excited to watch him take on the jungle, and Rooney hopes to become only the second footballer to win the show.
Lioness legend Jill Scott made history by winning in 2022. Other football stars like John Fashanu, Kieron Dyer, David Ginola, Ian Wright, Jimmy Bullard, Harry Redknapp, and Wayne Bridge have all taken part too.
Coleen reportedly earned around £1.5 million for being on the show two years ago, and it’s expected that Rooney’s fee will be even higher.
Rumor has it, Rooney isn’t the only sports star heading Down Under. Ade Adepitan, the former wheelchair basketball player, is joining too.
The 53-year-old won a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Paralympics for Great Britain, and gold at the 2005 Paralympic World Cup.
Adepitan, who was awarded an MBE for his work in disability sports, lost the use of his left leg due to polio when he was just 15 months old.
He’ll be the first contestant in a wheelchair on I’m a Celebrity, so ITV will make changes to the camp to help him get around. Some challenges will also be adjusted to suit him.