Cat Deeley 'lets slip' Ben Shephard is going on I'm A Celeb as he announces break from This Morning
Ben Shephard has confirmed that he is taking a break from This Morning. On Thursday's show, 7 November, the TV favourite, 49, revealed he will be away from the ITV show for a few weeks as he takes on a mystery project on the other side of the world.
He told viewers that he is jetting off to the unknown location after the show but said: “I can’t tell you what it is though.” Ben said: "I have some news to share. I'm taking a couple of weeks away to go and work on this exciting project for ITV. It's top secret. I'm going to the other side of the world now after the show. I can't say where it is though."
His co-host Cat Deeley then speculated whether he would be heading into the I'm A Celebrity jungle. She said: "Are you going to be eating witchetty grubs?" Cat then appeared to refer to Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as she said: "Are you going to see my two mates?"
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However, Ben replied: "I cannot confirm or deny where in the world I am going. I can't confirm or deny who I'm going to see." He then said that Cat will present Monday's show with Alison Hammond and then he will reveal where he is and what he is up to.
He said: "On Monday's show when you're here with Alison, I will be able to confirm where I am in the world. See you in a few weeks!"
The new series of I'm A Celeb launches on November 17 and will see a new batch of famous faces undertake challenges and trials to secure food and treats for the group and avoid being voted out by viewers.
ITV have not confirmed any of the names but thanks to a series of leaks - which tend to turn out to be bang-on year after year - we know many of the likely names. And the cast are already being hailed as the great line-up that’s ever been assembled for the long-running hit.
Coleen Rooney, super-WAG and footballer Wayne’s adoring wife, is leading the line-up after agreeing what is thought to be the biggest deal in jungle history. She is thought to have tempted ITV bosses into laying down the biggest payday I’m A Celeb has ever seen - reportedly surpassing the £1.5million that Nigel Farage is thought to have made last year.
She is expected to be joined on the show by Maura Higgins, 33, one of the biggest names to come out of Love Island. It comes after Tommy Fury, with whom she famously shared a series, pulled out of appearing in the jungle, reportedly so he could fight KSI.
However, there will be a boxer in the jungle. Barry McGuigan, the oldest star of the series at 63, is expected to appear alongside Loose Women veteran Jane Moore, McFly star Danny Jones and singer and one-time X Factor judge Tulisa, 36.
Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall, 42 - who plays Tyrone Dobbs - is also said to be taking a break from the cobbles to appear.
There’s also Strictly Come Dancing legend Oti Mabuse, former Strictly star Melvin Odoom, YouTuber GK Barry, 25, Radio 1’s Dean McCullough and the Reverend Richard Coles, 62, formerly of Gogglebox and 1980s pop group The Communards.
Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly will be back as hosts.
