'I'm A Celebrity' 2014: 'Coronation Street' Actor Craig Charles 'Confirms Jungle Stint' After Being Spotted Down Under

'Corrie' Actor Heading To 'I'm A Celeb' Jungle?
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Coronation Street’ star Craig Charles has confirmed that he will be heading into the ‘I’m A Celebrity’ jungle, after being spotted arriving in Australia a week before the new series kicks off.

Craig - who plays cabbie Lloyd Mullaney in the ITV soap - said he had to get special permission from ‘Corrie’ bosses to take part in the reality series, but seems keen to get stuck in and enjoy himself in the jungle.

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Craig Charles

Speaking to The Mirror, he revealed: "I signed up because it's an adventure, isn't it?

"It's an ITV show, ‘Coronation Street’ is an ITV show, they talked and said 'get him in there'.”

As well as his work on the cobbles, where he has been for almost a decade, Craig is well known for his role in the sci-fi sitcom ‘Red Dwarf’, and has toured the UK extensively both as a stand-up comedian and a DJ.

Craig’s ‘Corrie’ co-star Antony Cotton was given a few weeks off from the soap in 2011 so he could take part in ‘I’m A Celebrity’, eventually finishing in fourth place.

Other stars who have already landed in Australia ahead of the series launch include motorbike racing legend Carl Fogarty and ‘’Allo ‘Allo’ actress Vicki Michelle, neither of whom had been rumoured for the series before they were spotted Down Under.

Melanie Sykes and ‘TOWIE’ cast member Gemma Collins are both also thought to be taking part, while former ‘X Factor’ hopeful Jake Quickenden might also be putting in an appearance.

And as you can see, they aren’t the only ones rumoured to be tackling spiders, rats and kangaroo testicles in the name of light entertainment...

'I'm A Celebrity' 2014: Rumoured Contestants
(01 of21)
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'Coronation Street' actor Craig Charles has landed in Australia. (credit:REX)
Chloe Sims(02 of21)
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...or will it be Chloe, who has the backing of her former 'I'm A Celeb' contestant cousin, Joey Essex? (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Alex Reid(03 of21)
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And Jim isn't the only 'CBB' winner keen to take on the jungle, with Alex Reid claiming he'd like to rival Myleene Klass's infamous "shower" moment, telling Daily Star: "Forget the white bikini, just wait for my loincloth!" (credit:Supplied by WENN.com)
(04 of21)
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'Allo 'Allo star Vicki Michelle has also arrived in Brisbane. Surely this isn't a simple coincidence? (credit:REX)
(05 of21)
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After being turfed off 'X Factor', Jake Quickenden is thought to be setting up camp on Sunday. (credit:Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
Jim Davidson(06 of21)
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After controversially scooping the title of 'Celebrity Big Brother' winner back in January, Jim revealed on his Twitter page that he was keen to "go for the double" and take on 'I'm A Celeb' too. (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)
Josie Cunningham(07 of21)
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Mere days after giving birth to her third child, it was reported that the polarising media personality was considering accepting an offer to appear on 'I'm A Celeb', and was prepared to be voted to take on every single Bushtucker Trial. (credit:Rocky/WENN.com)
Tom Daley(08 of21)
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After impressing ITV producers with his strong stomach during his own reality series, it was reported earlier this year that Tom had been approached to appear on 'I'm A Celeb'. (credit:Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
Gemma Collins(09 of21)
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Following in the footsteps of Mark Wright and Joey Essex, will Gemma be taking a break from Brentwood to head to Australia..? (credit:SAV via Getty Images)
Gemma Merna(10 of21)
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She previously made waves on 'Splash!' (get it..?), but will the 'Hollyoaks' actress be willing to jump out of a plane or eat kangaroo anus in the 'I'm A Celeb' jungle? "Never say never," she told Metro last month. (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)
Tulisa Contostavlos(11 of21)
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Following her high profile drugs trial, a reality series based around Tulisa aired on BBC Three. It's since been reported that she's been offered mega bucks for 'I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!' (credit:Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
Michael Le Vell(12 of21)
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While it was initially thought Michael would use a reality series to turn around his public profile ahead of his 'Corrie' comeback, a source later told the Daily Star he wouldn't be headed for 'I'm A Celeb' as producers wanted someone "with more charisma and personality".Charming, eh? (credit:Eamonn & James Clarke/Eamonn and James Clarke)
Melanie Sykes(13 of21)
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Her 'Let's Do Lunch' co-host Gino D'Acampo was crowned King of the Jungle in 2009, with a source telling the Daily Star in September that 'I'm A Celeb' producers were keen to get her to follow in his footsteps. (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)
Pascal Craymer(14 of21)
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Pascal - who has previously dated Louis Smith, Mario Falcone and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini's ex, Ashley Cole - has been linked with a spot on this year's 'I'm A Celeb' lineup. A source told The Sun: "She’s gorgeous so they’ll have their glamorous-girl-in-a-bikini box ticked - but more than that, she can talk about life with Ashley."Must-see viewing, eh..? (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Ant McPartlin(15 of21)
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He's hosted every single series of 'I'm A Celebrity' since it first aired in 2002, and the Geordie presenter has said he'd love to actually take part for a change, telling the Daily Star: "I would give the Bushtucker Trials a go, but not the testicles."Dec seemed less enthused, however, claiming he needed an "en-suite". What a diva. (credit:Mcpix via Getty Images)
Charlie Stayt(16 of21)
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One of Charlie's BBC Breakfast co-presenters appeared to give the game away in October, accidentally letting slip on air that Charlie will be "heading to the jungle soon". (credit:Jeff Overs via Getty Images)
(17 of21)
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Tinchy Stryder has also been spotted arriving in Brisbane... (credit:REX)
(18 of21)
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...As has Nadia Forde, Rory McIlroy's former girlfriend. (credit:REX)
(19 of21)
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Motorcyclist Carl Fogarty has landed in Australia, leaving fans certain that he'll be heading into the Jungle. (credit:REX)
(20 of21)
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Television Chef Rustie Lee is rumoured to be jetting off to Aus, though new reports suggest she might have had a change of heart. (credit:Ryan Phillips/EMPICS Entertainment)
(21 of21)
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'Desperate Housewives' star Teri Hatcher is also heading Down Under, according to reports. (credit:Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)