I’m A Celebrity’s first star lands in Australia – weeks before show debut
I’M A Celebrity….Get Me Out Of Here is kicking off later this month but one rumoured star has arrived early.
Frankie Dettori was spotted landing in Australia this morning after competing in the US.
The show’s official lineup is yet to be released, but sources have been suggesting Frankie will be taking part for months.
Providing a further clue, on Sunday he told fans that he was in Australia.
“Hi everyone, I am here in California at the moment. I will get on the plane after racing, I’m coming to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup.
“Unfortunately, this year I’m suspended, so I can ride but I will support the Melbourne Cup carnival for the week, see some old friends riding and have a smashing time at the racing.
“Hopefully we see some good winners, so make sure you come and see us.”
Frankie is in Australia far earlier than celebrities traditionally arrive for the show.
It has been suggested that he has TV and promotional work to do in Melbourne for most of this week.
It has been suggested that he will then take a domestic flight from Melbourne to Brisbane and will meet with ITV bosses and be placed in isolation for a few days.
Other names suspected to join the show include This Morning’s Josie Gibson and UKIP’s Nigel Farage.
Frankie Dettori was set to make his racing farewell at the 2023 Breeders Cup.
But the 52-year-old announced in October 2023 that he will still be racing in the US from next year.
Speaking in a short video on Twitter, he said: “Hi everyone, it’s Frankie here. I’m in London for British Champions Day which will be my last one I had in England.
“But a scoop for you guys, I’ve decided to prolong my career, I’m going to go to the United States from next year.
“Keep on following me.”
Dettori’s final race in Britain was on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 21.
The horse racing legend went out on a high winning the Champion Stakes on King Of Steel in his final race on British soil.
Speaking of his rumoured appearance, a TV insider told The Sun: “Frankie is a superstar signing for jungle casting producers as he is a legend in the horse racing world and would be reality TV gold.
“He might be pint-sized, but his personality is larger than life and he has real charm and a sense of humour.
“Frankie would be brilliant in the Bushtucker Trials too as being competitive is second nature to him.
“He’s also got a wealth of stories he could tell around the campfire to keep other campmates entertained.
“Plus, as a jockey, he’s had to keep his weight down his whole life so he can help coach the other starving contestants surviving on rice and beans.”