Corrie and EastEnders legends will battle it out on I’m A Celeb as Steve McDonald and Ian Beale sign for the show
CORRIE’S Simon Gregson will go head-to-head with soap rival Adam Woodyatt on I’m A Celebrity.
The actor, who has played the Street’s hapless Steve McDonald for 32 years, is the latest big name signing.
The news comes after The Sun on Sunday revealed EastEnders veteran Adam, who plays Ian Beale, would be among the campmates.
A source said: “To have both Simon and Adam on this series is a real coup. Bosses think they’ll provide some real comedy moments together.”
Simon follows in the footsteps of his on-screen mum Liz, played by Beverley Callard, who appeared on the last series.
The source added: “Bosses know Corrie fans will get right behind him.
“Everyone knows Simon as Steve but now they’ll get to see a completely different side of him for the first time.
“Simon has previously shunned all reality shows and he has turned down I’m A Celeb a number of times before.
“But now his children are older, Simon started to think the timing was right.
“And after the show was moved from Australia to Wales it made it easier for him to commit.”
Most read in The Sun
Simon, 47, and Adam, 53, will be joined at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, by TV favourite Richard Madeley, 65, who has penned a £200,000 deal.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, 78, has been tipped to follow.
Simon, who has three sons with his partner Emma Gleave, teased co-star Beverley when she signed up to the show — and believed she was faking her veganism in a bid to get out of trials.
He said last year: “Rebecca, her daughter, is vegan and I’m sure Bev has done it for all the right reasons, health and to save the planet . . . if you believe that, I’m a mango.
“I’m pretty sure it’s because she doesn’t have to put a willy in her mouth.”
CASTLE QUARANTINE
The Sun revealed on Monday that campmates will go into quarantine for a fortnight before the show — hosted once again by Ant McPartlin, 45, and Declan Donnelly, 46.
Insiders said it would stop the show descending into chaos like Strictly, which became embroiled in a row over vaccinations.
I’m A Celeb bosses had hoped to return to the jungle in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, but they had to perform a U-turn over pandemic restrictions for the second year running.
Last year’s show, which was held outside of the jungle camp for the first time, became the second most watched series since its launch in 2002.
A show spokesman said: “We do not comment on speculation.”
