Appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is no walk in the park – celeb contestants who are used to living in the lap of luxury are pushed to their limits by the basic conditions, lack of food, and, of course, the grueling Bushtucker Trials. It’s no surprise, then, that all campmates have to undergo medicals to make sure they’re healthy enough to participate.
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However, over the years we’ve seen a number of campmates who are old enough to be collecting their pensions. Whilst the older campmates are often excluded from many of the trials ‘for medical reasons,’ their fascinating life stories mean they can still become some of the show’s most popular contestants.
Oldest ever I'm A Celeb contestants
At 78 years old, this year's campmate Arlene Phillips has broken the record for I'm A Celeb's oldest ever contestant, previously held by Stanley Johnson, who was 77 when he entered the jungle in 2017. Despite his age, politician and author Stanley, who is the father of the UK’s current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, managed 18 days in the jungle before being voted out by the public.
Other over-70s to have appeared on the show include Caitlyn—who was 70 when she joined the camp in 2019; film star George Hamilton—who was also 70 when he took part in I'm A Celeb way back in 2009; and George Takei—who was 71 when he finished third on I'm A Celeb in 2008.
Oldest ever I'm A Celeb winner
Then-71-year-old football manager Harry Redknapp still holds the title of the oldest ever I'm A Celeb winner after triumphing over young whipper-snappers like Emily Atack and James McVey back in 2018. That year also saw 69-year-old presenting legend Noel Edmonds taking to the jungle. Will Arlene snatch Harry's title this year by being crowned Queen of the Castle?