Wayne Rooney reveals I'm A Celeb stance and tells ITV bosses his nightmare trial

Wayne Rooney has admitted that he would be open to going on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and laid out his terms for joining the show. The Manchester United legend understands what he would be signing up for after his wife Coleen finished I’m A Celeb runner-up last year.

Rooney was Plymouth Argyle manager during his wife’s time in the jungle. The ex-England striker was sacked by the then-Championship club in December 2024 and has since joined the BBC as a pundit.

The 39-year-old has already appeared on Match of the Day this season and regularly shares his view on The Wayne Rooney Show podcast. However, Rooney has confessed that he would be willing to join I’m A Celeb and even revealed his nightmare bushtucker trial, though the football icon explained why it might be some time before he enters the ITV show.

READ MORE: Wayne Rooney responds to Michael Owen in debate over who was better at age 17

READ MORE: Wayne Rooney 'fuming' as wife Coleen stops doing his chores after 17 years of marriage

Rooney is planning to attend the National Television Awards alongside Coleen on Wednesday as I’m A Celeb is nominated for best reality competition. This prompted Rooney to be asked whether he would be keen to follow in Coleen’s footsteps.

“Would I? I think I would, at the right time,” he said on , when asked about possibly going on I’m A Celeb. “I’d struggle with some of the trials, though.

“You know the worst one, you know where they walk into a room…and there’s like a big ostrich looking at you. I didn’t [know he was scared of ostriches] but I’m just picturing them being there.”

Upon hearing Rooney’s admission, his co-host Kae Kurd quipped: “I reckon the producers of I’m a Celeb are watching this and just rubbing their hands at this opportunity.”

However, Rooney suggested that his punditry commitments could delay him heading into the jungle. “I can’t, can I? Because I wouldn’t be able to do the podcast in there, so I can’t do it,” he said.

A long list of footballers have appeared on the show across its 24 series. Lionesses hero Jill Scott was crowned the winner in 2022, while Ian Wright and Harry Redknapp are among the various football icons who have signed up for the show over the years.

Away from the prospect of entering I’m A Celeb, Rooney has given his verdict on a recent debate involving himself and Michael Owen. Responding to a social media post asking which of the two was the better player at 17 years old, Owen presented various statistics to state his case before doubling down when speaking to Rio Ferdinand.

"I think his comments are fair,” Rooney said on his podcast. “Of course, he's going to back himself. I'd back myself.

"But, I'd never judge myself against Michael Owen because he's someone I actually looked up to and had the pleasure of playing alongside [for England and Manchester United]."

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