I’m A Celebrity 2024 could already have its winner in Strictly legend-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

A Strictly Come Dancing star is set to be heading to the jungle in the upcoming season of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (Picture: Rex/ Getty)

A former Strictly Come Dancing star could shake up I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! after being ‘set’ to join the ITV show.

Reverend Richard Coles, 62, was a contestant on the 2017 season of the BBC dancing series, in which he was paired with professional dancer Dianne Buswell.

However, his short time on the show wasn’t a massive success – becoming the second contestant to be eliminated after scoring 14 points for their Paso Doble to the theme from Flash Gordon.

At the time it was the lowest scoring Paso Doble in the history of the show.

But seven years later, the writer, radio presenter and priest is set to give reality TV another go.

‘As always, the jungle bosses have cleverly put together a sensational line-up guaranteed to make for compulsive viewing,’ a source has said.

Reverend Richard Coles will ‘have a variety of tales to tell’ (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Shutterstock)

‘Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth.

‘Meanwhile, Dean isn’t known for being a shrinking violet and is sure to be outspoken — plus he’s one of the youngest men lined up for the show so far,’ they added when speaking to The Sun.

However, an ITV spokesperson told Metro: ‘Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! are just speculation.’

He appeared on the 2017 season of Strictly with Dianne Buswell (Picture: PA)

He didn’t hold back committing to the task (Picture: BBC/ Guy Levy)

Richard made a name for himself by being the ‘novelty’ act on the series, but won over millions of viewers each night, particularly with his heavenly performance to the Eurythmics’ There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart).

However earlier this year he spoke about the disappointment of not progressing in the competition.

‘For some unfathomable reason, I thought I’d be good at Strictly Come Dancing,’ he admitted.

However the pair were sent home second (Picture: PA)

‘I found out, simultaneously with 10 million other people, that was not the case. It was a brutal awakening,’ he added when speaking to The Times.

‘Being kicked off it was like being sent home from a party when you were a kid because you’ve wet yourself. Maybe people felt sorry for me, because they were nice to me afterwards.’

Despite struggling to garner enough support for his dancing skills, there’s every chance viewers could love seeing Richard take on a series of spine-tingling trials.

Other names rumoured to be in the mix for this season include Coleen Rooney, Dancing on Ice judge Oti Mabuse, ex-Love Islander Tommy Fury, and social media star GK Barry.

Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Richard Coles for comment.

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! returns to ITV later this year.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More