Coronation Street legend Andy Whyment signs up for I’m A Celebrity All Stars
CORRIE’S Andy Whyment will be heading back to camp for I’m A Celeb’s All Stars version.
The actor, who has played Kirk Sutherland on the ITV soap for the past 22 years, finished a close second on the regular show in 2019.
He proved a huge hit with viewers during his time in the Australian jungle.
Now he’s off to South Africa for the spin-off, which has already had a long line of former contestants signing up.
A TV insider said: “Andy is hugely popular with audiences, who love his down-to-earth nature and sense of humour. He’s the perfect antidote to some of the divas and egos who are likely to be in the final line-up and producers are keen to strike the right balance.”
I exclusively revealed that bosses have already targeted model Janice Dickinson, Princess Diana‘s former butler Paul Burrell and Diversity dancer Jordan Banjo. And it comes on top of other names such as boxer Amir Khan, EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney and Georgia Toffolo.
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Andy will be joined by another Weatherfield star, Helen Flanagan, who played Rosie Webster.
She was on I’m A Celebrity in 2012, the same year that EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks was crowned Queen of the Jungle.
Andy bowled over viewers with his modest character. He even broke down in tears when he made it through to the final two in 2019, beating huge names including Caitlyn Jenner.
Emotional Andy said: “It means so much to me that people are supporting me as Andy instead of just Kirk.”
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He added: “I came in here with 55,000 followers, I think, on Twitter, Caitlyn Jenner has got 10million, so I can’t believe I beat her.”
I reckon he might go all the way this time and win the All Stars version.
A SCAR IN HER OWN RIGHT . . .
WINNING I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2016 rocketed Scarlett Moffatt from Gogglebox regular to a job on ITV primetime.
Ant and Dec took her under their wing, installing her as a host on Saturday Night Takeaway and jungle spin-off Extra Camp.
But six years on, Scarlett reckons she doesn’t need their help any more.
She said in an exclusive chat: “That was so good when I first came out of the jungle. Ant and Dec were both so lovely, and you know, they taught us how to present really.
“That was always quite a little role. I’ve been doing it a long time now so . . . ”
So?
Fading to silence, Scarlett, who has hosted a Radio 1 podcast with her boyfriend Scott Dobinson since 2020 and also presented Britain’s Tourette’s Mystery on Channel 4, then added: “Well, everyone needs . . . Like they taught us a lot, but . . . ”
Awkward.
KEN CONS CREW IN BOJO SUIT
WE’VE already been treated to images of Sir Kenneth Branagh‘s transformation into Boris Johnson for upcoming Sky Atlantic drama This England.
But when newcomers to the set of the show first saw him in the fat suit and facial prosthetics, they got the shock of their life – and actually thought the ex-PM had dropped in on filming.
Kenneth said that his metamorphosis into BoJo was constructed “from the Y-fronts up” and added: “Obviously, the people working on the show knew who you were.
“But if there were some people on set who were new to the job, and you walked out of the loo and walked past them, that would suddenly remind you for a moment – as their faces hung with jaws open at the idea that the Prime Minister had just walked out of the loo.
“That was when you were reminded of how it worked.”
The drama was due to be screened on September 21 but has now been moved to September 28 due to the Queen’s death.
FLEUR: I WANT TO BE OPRAH
FLEUR EAST is preparing to sparkle on the Strictly dancefloor – but her dreams go way beyond winning the Glitterball Trophy.
The pop star turned radio DJ has plans to become the UK’s answer to US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey.
Fleur said: “To have my own talk show would be the ultimate dream. My dream job would be to be the next Oprah.
“I know it is a big ambition but you have to dream big.”
The former X Factor contestant added: “I studied journalism in uni.
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“I love interviewing and speaking to people but I want to do it all.
“Oprah acts, presents, interviews, performs . . . she does everything I want to do.”