I'm A Celebrity 2020: Victoria Derbyshire becomes the fifth celeb to sign up to the jungle

Victoria Derbyshire
(Image credit: PA)

The BBC journalist is said to be the latest contestant for the ITV show.

After the Covid-free Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals got underway this week, I'm A Celebrity 2020 line up is coming together - as Victoria Derbyshire became the fifth celebrity to join the ITV show.

The BBC journalist, 52, will be preparing herself for the jungle as she joins fellow campmates Vernon Kay, AJ Pritchard, Jessica Plummer and Beverley Callard in the Welsh castle grounds.

MORE:BBC axing Victoria Derbyshire shows discrimination against women is still present in the organisation

It's the first time the show has not been held in Australia but due to the world health pandemic, aside from being one of the best places to walk in the UK, Wales was deemed best location for filming.

However in recent days there were concerns over the show following the announcement that Wales has been placed in Tier 3 restrictions - affecting some businesses from staying open, with many asking are cinemas open in tier 3?

READ MORE:Victoria Derbyshire recalls moment she told husband Mark he’d have to raise their kids alone amid cancer battle

The BBC axed Victoria from her daily talk show, is said to have always wanted to do the jungle had it not for it being across the other side of the world.

“Victoria is always game for a challenge so when she was approached for I’m A Celebrity she jumped at the chance," an insider told The Sun.

“It’s always something she’s wanted to do but because of her family she’s never wanted to fly to Australia and be away from them for so long.

“When the show moved to Wales and the opportunity came up, she didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth so said yes straight away.

They added, “Victoria is really looking forward to the challenges and to getting started on the show.”

READ MORE:The very important reason Victoria Derbyshire wrote a phone number on her hand when she read the news

Ant and Dec are hosting the show this year and have already teased the Gwrych Castle in north Wales location with a series of trailers.

Meanwhile Victoria, who will be faced with bush-tucker trials, has already proved she's a fighter having overcome breast cancer in 2015. At the time she had a single mastectomy and admitted she wanted to get the most out of life.

“I’ve always lived to the full but now I’m squeezing life out of every second," she said. “I want to spend more time with family and friends – they’re the most important part of my life. But I’m saying yes to more things. I want to embrace everything.”

Selina Maycock

Selina is a Senior Entertainment Writer with more than 15 years of experience in newspapers and magazines. She has covered all things Entertainment for GoodtoKnow, Woman&Home and My Imperfect Life. Before joining Future Publishing, Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism. She is fully NCTJ and NCE qualified and has 100wpm shorthand.