I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! star Vernon Kay has admitted he’s dreading the lack of food that comes with taking part in the gruelling show.
The presenter, 46, told MailOnline that since he was a teenager he’s consumed ‘an outrageous amount of calories’ to try and build up his physique, joking he hopes bosses ‘bring the salt and pepper’ if he has to try any unusual Welsh delicacies.
Vernon added that despite the classic fears that come with taking part in I’m A Celebrity he’s looking forward to meeting a slew of new stars in the castle quarters, when the lineup move to Gwrych Castle in Wales this weekend.
Not much to eat! I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! star Vernon Kay, 46, has admitted he’s dreading the lack of food that comes with taking part in the gruelling show
Asked what he fears most about taking part in the show, Vernon told MailOnline: ‘I don’t know to be honest the one thing I’m really worried about is how i’m going to be without any food, because I like eating.
‘Since I hit puberty I’ve always been trying to build myself up so I always consuming an outrageous amount of calories. It never seems to b****y work, and protein and stuff like that that.
‘I’ve always got a full stomach I’m never kind of peckish. I hate confined spaces especially in water, I hate the thought of drowning a recurring bad dream nightmare of mine.
‘Apart from that I’ve not seen the official lineup but if the lineup’s what been rumoured then it’s gonna be a vibrant camp with loads of personalities and lots of fun.’
Challenging: The presenter told MailOnline that since he was a teenager he’s consumed ‘an outrageous amount of calories’ to try and build up his physique
I’m A Celebrity sees stars complete various trials to win food for the camp, with only rice and beans on offer if celebrities come back empty-handed.
Vernon is married to Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, 50, and the pair have two daughters.
The former Family Fortunes host said he’s most looking forward to meeting the different stars that will come together to live in the castle.
He added: ‘Making friends is easy it really is, being from where I was brought p and having a community which is built on saying hello and goodbye and thank you and making friend siwh your neighbours making friends is easy.
‘If the lineup rumoured before I went into isolation. is anything close to what it actually is. there’s actually a lot of Northerners, it’s actually going to be a really fun camp some great personalities.
Cute: Vernon is married to Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, 50, and the pair have two daughters
‘That’s what I like I love reading biographies of people who have become successful have had bumps in the road and learned about their life.
‘That’s why I wanted to go on IAC. I’ve spoken to a few people who have done it before and they said ”you don’t actually do anything you just sit around in camp.”
‘Getting to know your campmates will be pretty easy to be honest, and like I said lots of great personalities so it should be fun.’
Vernon also admitted that after learning he’d signed up for the show his pal Paddy McGuinness vowed to spend a fortune voting for him to ensure he faces every single trial.
‘I remember the first time it was announced I was rumoured to be in the show, I got a message from Paddy McGuinness wishing my good luck, and he said something like ”mate I wish you all the best but to be honest I’m going to spend a fortune making sure you eat the sheep’s knackers!”
‘I don’t have the attitude of bring it on, but whatever comes my way I’ll take it on, there’s no backing down.
You’re going to suffer! Vernon also admitted that after learning he’d signed up for the show his pal Paddy McGuinness vowed to spend a fortune voting for him
‘You’re on national TV you’ve stick your chest out put your chin up and get on with it. And if it is eating sheep’s a**s or pig’s testicles, I just hope they remember the salt and pepper!’
Joining Vernon in the castle this year are Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah, 37, and Corrie icon Beverley Callard.
Also competing for the title of King or Queen of the Castle will be AJ Pritchard, 26; Shane Richie, 56; Jessica Plummer, 28; Victoria Derbyshire, 52; Giovanna Fletcher, 35; Hollie Arnold, 26, and Jordan North, 30.
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will host the series once again, while Vick Hope will be fronting The Daily Drop, a brand-new series following all camp activity, available on ITV Hub every morning after the main show.
The Geordie duo, the contestants and crew will be tested for COVID-19 every three days throughout the series, with the campmates able to mix freely while they live in the camp as they form their own bubble.
Coming soon: The I’m A Celebrity launch will see 10 celebrities move into Gwrych Castle for another round of trials and tribulations. The launch airs on Sunday at 9pm on ITV
I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! 2020: Who are the celebrities?
Name: SIR MO FARAH CBE
Age: 37
Claim to fame: The most successful British track athlete in Olympic Games history
Phobias: Any animal that moves
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running
Role in the camp: Cook
Miss most: Coffee, my wife and children
Dream campmate: Samuel L Jackson would be pretty cool
Relationship status: Married
Name: SHANE RICHIE
Age: 56
Phobias: Human faeces. If I see one, it is over! I am hoping the camp toilet will be enclosed
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: Nothing. I don’t think I am that interesting
Role in the camp: Person who will muck in with anything
Miss most: My family and routine at home
Dream campmate: Eric Cantona, any 80s’ pop star or The Roc
Relationship status: Married
Name: BEVERLEY CALLARD
Age: 63
Claim to fame: Corrie legend
Phobias: Ghosts and insects
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People think I am glamorous as I have played Liz for so long but I am not
Role in the camp: Cleaner
Miss most: Dogs and my husband, Jon
Dream campmate: Ricky Gervais – he would keep us all going
Relationship status: Married
Name: AJ PRITCHARD
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Former Strictly professional
Phobias: Heights, claustrophobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People see me with sparkles and fake tan but nobody knows what I am like
Role in the camp: Keeping spirits up and the cleaner
Miss most: My warm and comfy bed
Dream campmate: Any celebrity with an intriguing background
Relationship status: Dating
Name: VERNON KAY
Age: 46
Claim to fame: TV and radio presenter
Phobias: I don’t like being confined underwater!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I think I have always been the same throughout my career – so I don’t have any.
Role in the camp: Person to keep spirits up.
Miss most: My family.
Dream camper: Anybody who has won the Super Bowl!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE
Age: 52
Claim to fame: Award-winning journalist
Phobias: I am not a fan of spiders or confined spaces and I don’t know what I am going to be like when I get there!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t think I have any as people just know me as the news and current affairs person!
Role in the camp: Shoulder to cry on.
Miss most: My boys, husband, dog and Mum.
Dream campmate: Madonna, Gary Lineker and Jamie Oliver to cook for us. I think you could have some really geeky chats with them!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: GIOVANNA FLETCHER
Age: 35
Claim to fame: Author and podcaster
Phobias: Heights. My legs go wobbly and you can’t rationalise it
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I am not that controversial so nothing
Role in the camp: Mum, friend and the giver of hugs
Miss most: My husband, Tom, and my three children
Dream campmate: The Queen, Judi Dench and Ant Middleton so he can help us with all the survival skills
Relationship status: Married
Name: JESSICA PLUMMER
Age: 28
Claim to fame: Former EastEnders actress
Phobias: Arachnophobia, fear of heights –just about every phobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me for who I am rather than my EastEnders character
Role in the camp: Chatterbox and little sister
Miss most: My daughter. It’s going to be the longest we’ve been apart
Dream campmate: Denzel Washington would be awesome. I would listen to every word he said
Relationship status: Single
Name: JORDAN NORTH
Age: 30
Claim to fame: Radio 1 DJ
Phobias: It’s just easier to say what I am not scared of. I have so many phobias
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: On my Radio 1 show, I am always bubbly and energetic but everyone has down moments too, so it will be nice for people to see what I am really like
Role in the camp: Entertainer and the tidy up person –I love a tidy house
Miss most: A nice cool pint of Guinness
Dream campmate: Barack Obama and Liam Gallagher. He would be great entertainment value
Relationship status: Single
Name: HOLLIE ARNOLD MBE
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Paralympic gold medallist
Phobias: Spiders
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t want it to focus on my disability
Role in the camp: Cook/shoulder to cry on
Miss most: My boyfriend, food and my cats
Dream campmate: Michelle Keegan –she is beautiful
Relationship status: Dating