The ‘Dragons’ Den’ tycoon is set to forfeit the money he would pocket as a contestant on the new series of the ITV reality series, deciding it let Operation Smile UK benefit instead.
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Duncan Bannatyne
The charity, who provide free safe surgery to children and young adults suffering from cleft lip & palate, announced news of the donation on Twitter on Thursday (12 November).
“WOW we're over the moon! Our Amazing Ambassador @DuncanBannatyne is donating his #ImACeleb fee to @OpSmileUK #legend @imacelebrity,” they tweeted.
Tweets sent from Ducan’s account then revealed that his donation will allow 125 children to undergo the operation.
“We can't say what his fee is but it will fund a special trip to Africa next year for life changing operations via @OpSmileUK 4 125 children,” the update read.
“Duncan's TV journey to the jungle will promote @opsmileUK to provide life changing operations for 125 children on a special trip to Africa.”
“I am very competitive, but I am not going on the show for money,” he explained.
“My fee is going to charity. I am doing this show for charity and for my children.”
'I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ launches on Sunday (15 November) at 9pm on ITV.
'I'm A Celebrity' Contestants 2015
Tony Hadley(01 of11)
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Occupation: MusicianAge: 55Phobias: I don’t like cockroachesBiggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: Nothing. I don’t buy into that whole vacuous celebrity thing though. What we do is a job at the end of the dayRole in the Camp: The shoulder to cry onMiss most: My wife and kids. My two youngest are only eight and three and a halfDream Campmate: Shane Richie, Rick Astley and Bobby Davro would be such a laugh (credit:ITV)
Jorgie Porter(02 of11)
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Occupation: ActressAge: 27Phobias: SpidersBiggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: That I am not like the ditsy blonde character I playRole in the camp: I’d love to create a girl squad in CampMiss most: Chocolate, brownies, outfits, high heel shoes, bed, phoneDream Campmate: Sir David Attenborough (credit:ITV)
Duncan Bannatyne(03 of11)
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Occupation: Business entrepreneurAge: 66Phobias: None. In my own head, I think I can do all the challenges – which is probably wrong!Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: None, as I won’t let people see my real personality. I am joking…Role in the camp: Master of all trades: Cooking, cleaning, washing-up. You name it, I will do it.Miss most: Comfy bed and my girlfriendDream Campmate: Peter Jones or Theo Paphitis (credit:ITV)
Yvette Fielding(04 of11)
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Occupation: TV presenterAge: 47Phobias: I am terrified of anything that moves!Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: Everyone is used to seeing me scream on Most Haunted. It will be nice for people to see me as me. I think I am colourful!Role in the Camp: To lift everyone’s spirits. I definitely won’t be the chef because I can’t cookMiss most: My family, dogs and Most Haunted teamDream Campmate: Billy Connolly, the world’s strongest man and a good cook (credit:ITV)
Kieron Dyer(05 of11)
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Occupation: Former England football starAge: 36Phobias: I don’t like spiders or snakes but there is no way I am going to look a wuss on the trials!Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I’d like to change people’s perceptions about footballers in general but I know my family and friends know the real me – and that is what mattersRole in the Camp: Definitely not the chef! I’d like to provide banter to keep us all amusedMiss most: Aside from my wife and kids, my mobile phone and not being able to have any control over decisions I makeDream Campmate: Brian May and Kim Kardashian (credit:ITV)
Susannah Constantine(06 of11)
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Occupation: TV fashion presenterAge: 53Phobias: Massive fear of heights. It’s plagued me throughout my lifeBiggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I don’t really have one but I think people think I am posh and bossy!Role in the Camp: Definitely the mumMiss most: Aside from my family, my phone and my tweezers. I’ve got little whiskers that grow out!Dream Campmate: Elton John, Eminem and Jake Shears (credit:ITV)
George Shelley(07 of11)
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Occupation: MusicianAge: 22Phobias: I am scared of moths!Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: It’s just going to be nice for everyone to get to know me betterRole in the Camp: Jack of all trades – chef, cleaner, entertainer, shoulder to cry onMiss most: My bed, home comforts and my mumDream camper: JJ from Union J, Davina McCall (credit:ITV)
Chris Eubank(08 of11)
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Occupation: Legendary British boxing championAge: 49Phobias: I don’t like heights but I am not sure what other fears I have. But it’s good to be scaredBiggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: People will be surprised how non-confrontational and fun I amRole in the Camp: The truth is I don’t know because I am going in to have funMiss most: I won’t have time to miss anything.Dream Campmate: Oh I had better not mention anybody because then people will say ‘why didn’t you mention me’. (credit:ITV)
Brian Friedman(09 of11)
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Occupation: ChoreographerAge: 38Phobias: I am generally fearful of things normal people are fearful of. Nobody wants to do gross things but I am trying to get my head around itBiggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: Everyone is going to draw conclusions and now is a chance for people to get to know me. I am not overdramatic. I am colourfulRole in the Camp: Chef, cleanerMiss most: My fiancé, followed by my family and then luxuriesDream Campmate: Ashley Roberts (if she hadn’t already done it) or Nicole Scherzinger. We would laugh our way through it! (credit:ITV)
Lady Colin Campbell(10 of11)
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Occupation: AuthorAge: 66Phobias: None but equally I don’t think I am that braveBiggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: Nothing as my life is very completeRole in the Camp: I am not sure yet as I don’t know who is going to be in thereMiss most: My children, dogs, cats and my lifeDream Campmate: A musician. Hopefully there will be a piano and violin in the Jungle to keep us entertained (credit:ITV)
'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' Contestants 2015(11 of11)