Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips is taking part in I'm A Celebrity 2021, and has opened up about her initial feelings about entering the castle for the first time.
Speaking to The Mirror, the star outlined her strengths and weaknesses ahead of the launch episode, revealing that she'd be fine with the restrictive diet. She said: "I’ve also done weekly fasts for a malaria charity I work with, so that wouldn’t bother me."
However, Arlene describes herself as a "coward" and has revealed that might cause complications when she takes on challenges. She added: "All I can say is that I am the biggest coward in the world, I’m not courageous!
"Every time I watch the show, I absolutely admire those people who fearlessly enter into it. I’m the type of person who holds back."
She has also previously expressed one of her biggest fears is “in a box underground covered in worms and cockroaches, like they do on I’m A Celebrity", so let's hope she's not trapped underground at any point!
Arlene is best known for being on the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing, where she worked alongside Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman, and Craig Revel Horwood between 2004 and 2008.
Arlene had a reputation as being the 'Queen of Mean' on Strictly, but has revealed she's not always like this. She added: "I am when it comes to my professional life, I just go and do it, but not with this kind of challenge," she says.
"My family always laugh at me because they all camp and I’m definitely not a camper! My partner went camping when he was a kid and my girls have, and I’m like, 'No, I’m not lying on that and I’m not going to live in a tent!'"
In addition to all this, Arlene is set to be I'm A Celebrity's oldest contestant, at 78 years old, and joked to The Mirror that she's "used to always being the oldest".
I'm A Celebrity 2021 kicks off at 9pm on Sunday, Nov. 21 on ITV. You can also watch episodes on the ITV Hub after they have aired.
