Wayne Rooney Reportedly the Highest Paid Star of I’m a Celebrity 2026

Wayne Rooney could be heading into the jungle as the biggest name in the camp, and if new reports are right, he could also be heading home with the biggest pay cheque. Reports published on November 3 and 4, 2026, say the former England and Manchester United footballer will be the highest paid campmate on the new series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

The reports, first carried by The Sun, say Rooney, 41, has agreed a six-figure fee for his time in the Australian jungle. The exact amount has not been confirmed, and ITV has not officially confirmed the cast list. Still, the story has quickly become one of the most talked about showbiz stories of the week, because Rooney is one of the most famous footballers of his generation and because his wife Coleen Rooney was such a popular campmate only two years ago.

For fans of the show, the appeal is easy to see. Rooney has spent most of his life in the public eye, first as a teenage prodigy at Everton, then as a record-breaking striker for Manchester United and England, and later as a manager. In the jungle, there will be no football pitch, no tactics board, and no press conference to hide behind. There will just be basic rations, creepy crawlies, and long days and nights with strangers. That contrast is exactly what I’m A Celebrity does best.

What the Reports Say About the Fee

According to the reports, Rooney has landed the top fee in this year’s camp. One source quoted in the coverage put it simply: “Wayne Rooney is the biggest name in there, and has landed the biggest pay cheque.” The same report added that “he’s banked a chunky six figure sum” for taking part.

It is important to be clear about what this means. A six-figure fee could cover a wide range, and no exact number has been confirmed by Rooney or by ITV. The reports do not say how the fee was worked out, how long he is expected to stay, or whether any extra payment depends on how far he goes in the show. Until ITV or Rooney confirms the details, the fee should be treated as reported, not as a confirmed fact.

There is also a family link that makes the story even stronger. His wife Coleen Rooney took part in the 2024 series and finished second behind winner Danny Jones. Reports at the time said she received 1.5 million pounds for her appearance, although that figure was also widely reported rather than officially confirmed in full detail. If Wayne does enter the camp this year, he will be following in her footsteps, but with a very different public image and a very different set of stories to tell around the campfire.

Why Rooney Would Be Such a Big Signing

Rooney became famous as a teenager, and he stayed famous. He scored goals that fans still talk about today, he captained both Manchester United and England, and he became England’s record goalscorer during his playing career. After retiring as a player, he moved into management, which kept him in football news even when he was not on the pitch.

That long career gives him something many reality show contestants do not have: a life story that almost everyone in the audience already knows in part. Viewers will want to hear about his early days, about playing under famous managers, about major finals, and about the pressure of being in the spotlight from such a young age. They will also want to see a different side of him, away from football, when he is tired, hungry, and living in basic conditions.

Reality television often works best when a famous person is taken out of their comfort zone. For a footballer used to top hotels, training grounds, and structured days, the jungle is about as far from normal life as it gets. The camp offers rice and beans instead of a training ground diet, a hammock or a camp bed instead of a comfortable bed, and a group of strangers instead of a team he has trained with for months.

The Reported Lineup for 2026

The reports say the 2026 lineup will include 12 campmates from sport, television, music, comedy, and social media. Alongside Rooney, the names mentioned in coverage include YouTuber Sharky, Love Island star Chloe Burrows, Victoria’s Secret model Leomie Anderson, Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu, journalist Mariella Frostrup, Paralympian and presenter Ade Adepitan, comedian Leigh Francis, Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page, Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson, Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney, and comedian Jack Skipper.

That mix, if confirmed, would follow the usual I’m A Celebrity pattern. The show likes to blend well-known faces from different worlds so that camp conversations stay lively and viewers from different age groups find someone to support. A YouTuber brings a younger online audience, a soap star brings loyal television viewers, a musician brings music fans, and a sports star brings sports fans. Put them together in a jungle camp with limited food and no phones, and the show has its recipe.

What Viewers Can Expect From November 16

The new series is due to return on November 16, 2026, on ITV and ITVX at 9 pm, hosted by Ant and Dec. The hosts have fronted the show for many years, and their mix of humour, warmth, and teasing of the campmates is a central part of its appeal. They introduce the trials, they welcome the campmates, and they deliver the results of the public vote.

For viewers who are new to the show, the format is simple. A group of famous people live together in a camp in Australia. They take on Bushtucker Trials to win food for the camp, they take part in daily challenges, and they vote each other for camp chores. Over time, the public votes to keep their favourites in, and campmates leave one by one until a winner is crowned King or Queen of the Jungle.

The trials are often the most talked about part. They can involve heights, water, insects, or eating unusual foods. Some campmates love the challenge, others struggle, and the reactions around the campfire afterwards are often just as entertaining as the trial itself. For a competitive former footballer like Rooney, viewers will be watching to see whether that competitive streak helps him in trials or makes camp life harder when food is short and tempers are tested.

Coleen Rooney and the Family Connection

Coleen Rooney’s run in 2024 set a high bar. She finished second behind Danny Jones, and she was widely praised by viewers for being calm, kind, and down to earth in the camp. She spoke openly about her family life, and she handled the trials and the basic living conditions with good humour.

That success could help Wayne, but it could also add pressure. Viewers may compare the two experiences, even though every campmate has a different journey. Wayne will have his own stories, his own strengths, and his own way of dealing with jungle life. If he does well, the family will have two strong I’m A Celebrity stories to tell. If he struggles, viewers will still likely respect him for taking on the challenge.

Why the Fee Story Matters

Stories about celebrity fees always attract attention, because they give viewers a sense of how much a star is valued by a show. A top fee often signals a top signing, and it can set expectations before the series even starts. If Rooney is indeed the highest paid campmate, viewers will expect him to be a central figure in the series, not a quiet background campmate.

At the same time, a big reported fee can create extra scrutiny. Every trial, every camp row, and every quiet day will be watched through that lens. Some viewers may think a high fee means he should take on more trials. Others may simply enjoy watching a famous footballer cope with jungle life, whatever the fee. Either way, the fee story has already done its job for the show: it has got people talking weeks before launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wayne Rooney confirmed for I’m A Celebrity 2026?

Not officially. Reports in The Sun, covered on November 3 and 4, 2026, say he will take part, but ITV has not officially confirmed the cast. Fans should wait for the official lineup announcement for final confirmation.

How much is Wayne Rooney reportedly being paid?

Reports say he has agreed a six-figure fee and will be the highest paid campmate this series. No exact amount has been confirmed, so the fee should be treated as reported rather than confirmed.

When does I’m A Celebrity 2026 start?

The show is due to return on November 16, 2026, on ITV and ITVX at 9 pm, hosted by Ant and Dec.

How did Coleen Rooney do in 2024?

Coleen Rooney finished second in the 2024 series behind winner Danny Jones. Reports at the time said she received 1.5 million pounds, although that figure was widely reported rather than officially confirmed in full.

Final Thoughts

If the reports are right, Wayne Rooney’s jungle adventure could be one of the biggest moments of this year’s I’m A Celebrity series. He brings fame, a remarkable football career, and a family link to the show that few other campmates can match. The reported six-figure fee shows how highly producers are said to value that appeal, even if the exact number remains unconfirmed.

What will matter most once the series starts is not the fee, but how Rooney copes with camp life. Viewers will judge him on his trials, his teamwork, and his honesty around the campfire, just as they judged Coleen in 2024. If he embraces the challenge, he could become a firm fan favourite. If he finds it tough, viewers will still respect the effort of stepping so far outside his comfort zone.

For now, the jungle countdown is on. November 16 is not far away, and the official cast announcement will soon tell us whether Wayne Rooney really is heading into the camp. Until then, the speculation alone has already made this series one to watch. Read more stories like this on The Akron Magazine, and find official show information on ITV.