This year’s ‘I’m A Celebrity’ line-up is one of the most varied yet, with professional dancers sharing a camp with TV personalities, a comedian and… well… whatever it is the cast of ‘Gogglebox’ do.
Among the 10 celebrities taking part this year is Olympic hockey player Sam Quek, who is making her reality TV debut in ‘I’m A Celeb’. Here’s everything you need to know about the gold medallist…
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Sam Quek
ITVRexShutterstock
1. She is one of the heroes of Rio 2016
Sam won gold at the Olympics as one of the defenders in Team GB’s hockey squad. They famously thrashed the Netherlands in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out final to win the accolade.
2. She won her first international cap while studying at University back in 2008
While she was not part of the London 2012 squad, she has notched up 50 caps for Great Britain, with more than 125 combined for both England and GB.
3. Sam once broke two bones during a game and didn’t even realise
While captaining the England team during the 2014 Champions Trophy in Argentina, Sam unknowingly broke two ribs on her right hand side during the opening match. Ouch.
4. She had her medical records disclosed thanks to a group of hackers
Earlier this year, Sam was one of the victims of a group of Russian hackers who got into the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) database.
They revealed a number of athletes who had been granted therapeutic use exemptions. Sam, who was granted the TUE due to her use of inhalers for asthma, stated she had operated within all sporting guidelines.
5. Her coach has given her the go-ahead to do ‘I’m A Celeb’
She’s currently on a break from training until February 2017, freeing up enough time in her schedule to do the jungle.
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RexShutterstockITVKen McKay
6. She’s more scared by the prospect of the jungle than the Olympics
She says: “I am really looking forward to the challenge but gosh going in the jungle is way tougher than playing in that penalty shoot out in the final of the Olympics.
“I absolutely hate cockroaches, spiders and anything small, to the point I will cry. I am girly emotionally and my reaction is to just panic when I see them.”
7. She has a long-term boyfriend
Sam is currently in a relationship with Thomas Mairs, who she appeared with on BBC antiques show ‘For What It’s Worth’. The couple have been dating for three years after meeting in a Liverpool nightclub. She says: “My boyfriend is so excited for me and he knows it is such a huge opportunity.”
8. Sam’s love of sport extends past the hockey pitch
Having grown up on the Wirral, Sam supports Liverpool F.C. and counts former striker Ian Rush as one of her sporting heroes.
9. She’s also a member of the Beyhive
Sam describes herself as a Beyoncé superfan, but can’t listen to the ‘Lemonade’ singer before a game as it gets her “too pumped”.
‘I’m A Celebrity’ launches on Sunday 13 November at 9pm on ITV.
'I'm A Celebrity' 2016 Campmates
(01 of11)
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(credit:ITV)
Carol Vorderman(02 of11)
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TV presenter Age: 55 Date of birth: December 24th 1960 Phobias: I am not a scaredy cat but I am not a great swimmer. I won’t be very good on the underwater tasks Missing any special occasion: No Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: People think I am more serious than I am. But I am not, I love having a proper laugh Role in the camp: Mothering type, I will be Aunty Carol. Miss most: Aside from my family, my aeroplane Dream camper: Eamonn Holmes, I want to see him suffer in a Bushtucker Trial Relationship status: Single (credit:ITV)
Larry Lamb(03 of11)
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Actor Age: 68 Date of birth: 1st October 1947 Phobias: I don’t have any, however the thing with actng is if something goes wrong, it can be pretty scary Missing any special occasion: No, but as an actor you are always missing weddings and birthdays because you’re away so much Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: It would be nice to be me rather than a role I’m playing Role in the camp: Cook Miss most: My family, friends and a cup of tea Dream camper: Barack Obama Relationship status: Long term partner (credit:ITV)
Ola Jordan(04 of11)
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Former 'Strictly Come Dancing' professional Age: 34 Date of birth: 30th September 1982 Phobias: Spiders, rats, snakes – I hate them all! Missing any special occasion: A few work commitments Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: A chance for me to go into the camp with no big hair, make up and skimpy dresses on. I want people to realise I’m a normal girl. Role in the camp: The person who wants to have fun Miss most: My family and phone Dream camper: Hugh Jackman Relationship status: Married (credit:ITV)
Sam Quek(05 of11)
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Olympic hockey player Age: 28 Date of birth: 18th October 1988 Phobias: Cockroaches, spiders and anything small Missing any special occasion: No, my coach has given me some time off after the Olympics until February 2017 Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: That I am not a hard, emotionless athlete. I do have emotions. Role in the camp: The fun games initiator, a team player. Miss most: Contact with the outside world and not being able to speak to my boyfriend and family. Dream camper: Nicole Scherzinger Relationship status: Dating (credit:ITV)
Scarlett Moffatt(06 of11)
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'Gogglebox' star Age: 26 Date of birth: 17th October 1990 Phobias: Small spaces, the dark, walking across bridges, clowns – but hopefully there won’t be too many of those in the Jungle Missing any special occasion: A few Gogglebox bits and pieces, my Aunt’s birthday Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: It will be nice to show people that I have legs! Role in the camp: The person who will keep spirits up in the camp Miss most: My family, friends and a cup of tea Dream camper: Mary Berry Relationship status: Dating (credit:ITV)
Adam Thomas(07 of11)
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'Emmerdale' actor Age: 28 Date of birth: 11th August 1988 Phobias: Spiders, cockroaches – anything like that! Missing any special occasion: Emmerdale Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: There aren’t any really, I just want to show I can really put myself out there and rise to the challenge Role in the camp: I won’t be the chef, I can only cook beans on toast! I’d say I am easy going Miss most: My little boy Dream camper: Leonardo DiCaprio Relationship status: Engaged (credit:ITV)
Jordan Banjo(08 of11)
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Dancer with Diversity Age: 23 Date of birth: 31st December 1992 Phobias: Snakes and spiders Missing any special occasion: Several Diversity commitments including The Royal Variety Performance, a Diversity TV show rehearsal and a few gigs Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: Nothing but I want to prove I am not a wimp Role in the camp: Team player Miss most: My dance group members and the routine of life that you take for granted Dream camper: Will Smith Relationship status: Dating (credit:ITV)
Lisa Snowden(09 of11)
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TV and radio presenter Age: 44 Date of birth: 22nd January 1972 Phobias: I’ve never had to put myself in a situation like this but lack of food, surviving with nothing and not having any outside contact is going to be tough Missing any special occasion: No, I am such a ‘family bod’ that if I’d had a wedding or anything like that, then it would have played a big part in my decision to do it or not Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I’ve never thought about what the public think of me – I am going to do the best I can Role in the camp: Cook – I love food! Miss most: My family and phone, I speak to them all the time Dream camper: Bear Grylls Relationship status: Dating (credit:ITV)
Joel Dommett(10 of11)
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Comedian Age: 31 Date of birth: 8th June 1985 Phobias: I am scared of that question in case of what might happen! Missing any special occasion: I have had to cancel a few tour dates Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: There isn’t one really, but It’s a good opportunity for people to get to know who I am...hopefully they’ll be like aww he’s nice I want to marry him. Role in the camp: The comforter who will raise spirits Miss most: Food and my daily routine Dream camper: Can I bring my best mate Steve? He isn’t famous though Relationship status: Single (credit:ITV)
Wayne Bridge(11 of11)
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Footballer Age: 36 Date of birth: 5th August 1980 Phobias: Absolutely everything! Rats, spiders, cockroaches, snakes, claustrophobia, sleeping in the Jungle – I am bricking myself Missing any special occasion: The tenth birthday of my son, Jaydon, but hopefully he will think his Daddy is cool for going into the Jungle Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I want people to get to know me. I’ve not given many interviews in the past or put myself in front of the camera. My fellow footballers will be shocked I am doing something like this Role in the camp: The person to initiate games, fun and exercises Miss most: Aside from my wife and children, my phone, bed, pillow and sugar Dream camper: Floyd Mayweather Relationship status: Married (credit:ITV)