Former England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney, 39, has broken his silence on social media following the news his wife Coleen, 38, would be entering the I’m A Celebrity jungle.
The striker-turned-Plymouth Argyle manager took to Instagram to make his stance on his wife’s reality TV stint clear after she was confirmed to be taking part on Monday.
The 38-year-old had long been tipped to star in the upcoming series alongside the likes of Oti Mabuse and Melvin Odoom but it wasn’t until yesterday that ITV confirmed her spot.
She’ll be joining Ant and Dec Down Under for the latest series alongside the aforementioned Mabuse and Odoom as well as Barry McGuigan, GK Barry, Jane Moore, Alan Halsall, Dean McCullough, Tulisa Contostavlos and Danny Jones.
However, her spot in the line-up hasn’t been without controversy among some I’m A Celeb fans who’ve blasted the fact she’s been branded a “TV personality” as justification for her “celebrity” status.
Husband Rooney ignored the naysayers, however, as he reposted ITV’s announcement of his spouse’s jungle stint with a supportive message.
Coleen and Wayne Rooney have been together since they were teenagers
PA
The former England striker reposted his wife’s announcement alongside applause, love heart, and kiss-blowing emoji.
Prior to entering the jungle, Rooney told ITV exactly how her husband reacted to the news and why she felt 2024 was the right time to jet off to Australia.
“It has been year after year I have been asked to go on a programme and it’s always been a straight no,” she explained.
“Over the years, there have been different things going on in my life and also, my children have been really young.
Wayne Rooney showed his support for his wife’s I’m A Celeb stint on Instagram
“But they are at an age now where I can go away for this length of time. I also feel it’s time to have a challenge for me and do something different.
“It has taken many, many years but I’m finally doing it. And I have always said if I was going to do one – then it would be this show. I think it will be good for me.”
Reflecting on her other half’s response, she continued: “Wayne is supportive. He did say, ‘You know you are going to be on camera 24/7?’ but I said, ‘Yeah that’s the show!’.
“He is fine with it all. If he had time, he’d have a go. I am not saying he would go in, but he wouldn’t be completely put off.
“I haven’t spoken about it with my younger two boys as not many know, but my eldest son told me, ‘Yeah go for it’. My second one was a bit more emotional.
“He thought about me being away for a long length of time, but hopefully that will pass. My parents are happy too that I’m doing something for me.”
Fans will be able to see how Rooney gets on in the jungle when the latest series of I’m A Celeb kicks off on Sunday night on ITV.
While ITV is yet to confirm their arrival, it’s been reported the first crop of campmates will soon be joined by Love Island star Maura Higgins and the Reverend Richard Coles at a later date.
