Seven stars who turned down I’m A Celeb – ‘Honest discussion’ to ‘being disowned’

The final of I’m a Celebrity…South Africa is fast approaching, with a whole host of stars hoping to claim the jungle crown.

Celebs from previous series including Carol Vorderman and Fatima Whitbread have returned to take on tougher and more grueling challenges – but only one can win.

Despite some huge names appearing on the series throughout the years, there are many stars who turned down the opportunity to appear on the popular ITV programme.

READ MORE: Fatima Whitbread’s rarely seen son – Miscarriage heartbreak to life away from public eye

As the I’m a Celeb final approaches, Daily Star takes a look at seven stars who said no to the show.

Piers Morgan

Piers Morgan revealed the unusual reason why he would never take part in I’m A Celeb, after admitting his parents would “disown” him if he took part in one particular trial.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the presenter said: “My parents have only ever had one conversation with me about something that would cross a line, and think of the things I’ve put them through!

“They were like, ‘Your father and I discussed this, and if you were ever to go into I’m a Celebrity and eat all of those kangaroo things, we’d have to disown you’.”

Although he admitted that he would succeed in the jungle as he likes “spiders and snakes,” there were certain trials he drew a line at.

“Unfortunately I have no desire to parade myself with a load of Z-listers eating kangaroo testicles,” Piers added.

Judge Rinder

Judge Rinder stepped in as a guest host on Good Morning Britain following Piers Morgan’s departure and like Piers, the star revealed a very similar reason why he would not take part in I’m a Celeb.

He revealed to Telly Mix: “I only did Strictly because that was completely different and because dancing was my love.”

“You won’t see me devouring kangaroo bollocks,” Judge Rinder added.

Gloria Hunniford

Loose Women star Gloria Hunniford is another daytime TV icon – but revealed she said no to I’m a Celeb following a chat with show bosses.

Although she said she had been in talks with them after she wanted to “challenge herself,” but turned down the opportunity after the show bosses were “honest” with her about the realities of I’m a Celeb.

Speaking on Loose Women, Gloria said: “In one way I wanted to challenge myself, but when they were really honest with me and told me what it was like, I thought well.

“I’m allergic to mosquitoes really badly, I’m a hospital case with that. I could do without the food I think…I don’t think I could do all the picking up of wood with my dodgy knee.

She continued: “I don’t think I could do the snake bit, and I certainly couldn’t eat a pig’s brain.”

Lisa Riley

Lots of soap stars have taken part in I’m A Celeb, including former EastEnders star Joe Swash and Coronation Street’s Sue Cleaver.

However, there’s one soap icon that has admitted to turning down the show multiple times – Lisa Riley.

The Emmerdale Mandy Dingle actress revealed that she finds the offer “flattering,” but that she would never take part as she is too busy.

She told Prima UK: “I’m not going in the jungle.

“They do ask me every year – it [the fee] is insane! It is flattering, but it’s utter baloney that I’m going on it. I’m too busy working.”

Warwick Davis

During a previous interview with Daily Star, Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis admitted that he is offered the chance to take part in a lot of reality TV shows and had turned down I’m a Celeb in the past as he is “too busy.”

Warwick told Daily Star: “I get asked to do a lot of reality shows.

“I love watching them but they don’t appeal to me as a performer. I’m a Celebrity got in touch, but I didn’t even find out what I would be getting paid.”

The Willow actor added: “At the moment I’m busy enough with other stuff.”

James Arthur

The X Factor’s James Arthur is another celeb who admitted to Daily Star that he would not take part in I’m a Celeb as he was worried people “wouldn’t take him seriously.”

Although he had appeared on one reality TV series before, James has no plans to appear on another, despite being inundated with offers.

“I got offered loads of reality shows including I’m a Celebrity and Celebrity Big Brother,” the singer told the Daily Star.

He continued: “They were life-changing amounts of money. The most I got offered was £250,000 for CBB, which I really needed at the time, not knowing if I had a career.

“I’m a huge fan of those shows but I don’t think there’s any chance I would be back at No. 1 now if I’d gone down that route.

“I wasn’t sure how seriously people would take me after doing reality TV.”

Michaela Strachan

Michael Strachan is known for her work on BBC’s Countryfile and hit children’s series The Really Wild Show – but you’ll never catch her on I’m a Celeb.

After celebrating wildlife throughout her career, Michaela told The List: “I couldn’t do [I’m a Celebrity], we wouldn’t be eating the animals – we’d be championing them!”

However, there is another series that she would take part in.

“I would like me and Chris [Packham] to both go on Strictly Come Dancing on the same year and compete and that’s because I know it would be the one thing that I would be so much better than him at.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk