Ahead of the hotly anticipated return of I’m A Celebrity to our screens later this month, some of the contestants fees have apparently been disclosed – and Noel Edmonds’ can only be described as eye-watering
It’s so high, in fact, that it’s been reported it’s the highest ever on the show.
With the figure at £600k, Noel is earning £100k more for his stint in the jungle than the alleged next highest earner, football manager Harry Redknapp – and he’s not even there for the full two weeks.
ITV bigwigs have had their eye on Noel – of Mr Blobby and Deal or No Deal fame – since the series began, according to insiders… which could go some way to explaining the extortionate price tag on his head.
“Bosses for I’m A Celebrity have been trying to sign Noel for years,” a source told The Sun. “He’s their dream signing.”
“They have really pushed the boat out this year in terms of signings and have spent more than ever before. Harry and Noel are over £1million between the two of the them, And they’ve spent good money on the likes of Nick Knowles and Rita Simons too. The bookers have been earning and spending their cash well this year.”
CHECK OUT I'm a Celebrity's worst Bushtucker trials EVER
I'm A Celebrity 2014: The WORST Bushtucker Trials EVER!
1 of 8Dean Gaffney (2006)
Ex-EastEnder Dean Gaffney showed off his impressive ability to yelp like an injured animal in his 2006 trial. To be fair to the man, he did have cockroaches poured on his head, put his hands in a box of biting ants and retrieve a star from a pool of baby crocodiles.
2 of 8Gino D’Acampo (2009)
"I think I've got to eat some kind of weird stuff," commented Gino when he was told he was going to do a Bushtucker Bonanza. Yep, we guess that a fermented egg, a rhino beetle, cockroach, wittchedy grub, mealworms, beach worms and crocodile tongue might be considered 'weird'.
3 of 8Jennie Bond (2004)
Alone, wet, cold and covered with rats. Not a situation we'd like to get in any time soon, but former Royal correspondent Jennie Bond managed to last a whole 10 minutes locked in a water and rat filled coffin by humming an upbeat tune. We salute you, Ms. Bond.
4 of 8Joey Essex (2013)
Locked in a cold, dark, slimy tomb, we'd be freaking out if we were Joey in his 2013 task. But the TOWIE star powered through and managed to find all twelve hidden stars without uttering a single scream, only stopping to moan 'This is definitely, 100% not reem,' and to comment that the rodents were biting his 'middle parts'.
5 of 8Mark Wright and Freddie Starr (2011)
TOWIE's Mark and hamster-eating comedian Freddie were an oddly matched pair for the 'Greasy Spoon Café' culinary battle, but the resulting Bushtucker trial has to be one of our faves. The couple was challenged to dine on a spoiled egg, blended cockroaches, mealworms and mouse tails, turkey testicles, a camel's toe and a pigs anus.
6 of 8Martina Navratilova (2008)
Tennis pro Martina impressed us all when she shared a plastic bubble helmet with a variety of jungle critters, including grasshoppers, cockroaches, stick insects, spiders and snakes. While we shuddered and hid behind our hands, Martina took it like a champ.
7 of 8Matt Willis (2006)
Poor Matt Willis proved he's no wimp when he munched his way to victory in his Bushtucker Bonanza challenge of 2006. The McBusted star dined out on live mealworms, witchetty grubs, a kangaroo anus and a crocodile penis. Mr Willis managed the whole lot without a single retch, commenting after 'I've got kangaroo anus in my teeth. It's a really good look.'
8 of 8Kim Woodburn (2009)
Kim was submerged in a tank under water, while thousands of cockroaches and other critters were poured on her. As much as we did feel for clean freak Kim, her screeches of "Something's nipping my bosoms" and "It's bitten my bum!" made this trial a timeless classic.
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“They’ve spent so much that there’s only 11 contestants planned at the moment,” the source continued. “That’s the first time since 2007 it’s been so few, but the characters will make up for it.”
It was announced yesterday that Noel would be joining the stars in the jungle at this season’s late arrival.
It’s thought that Noel has finally agreed to come on the show this year following a difficult time.
“He’s been to hell and back over the last few years,” said a friend. “He’s lost a lot of weight and looks very different. He came really close the edge and wants to tell everyone on the biggest stage on TV just how much he’s been through."