Two surprise contestants join I’m a Celebrity camp

Two new musical guests are ready to join the I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here camp.

In a surprise announcement, opera singer Russell Watson and West End superstar Ruthie Henshall were confirmed tonight (Tuesday) as late-entry camping partners.

The dynamic duo will officially enter the castle on Wednesday, and one definitely feels like they can be crowned the winner of the 2020 series.

Russell says that he has been training hard to beat whatever is thrown at him once he is in the castle.

The 53-year-old, who has beaten two brain tumors, said: “I feel fitter and stronger than I have in a long time.

“I have been training like crazy for the last few weeks. I have one of those Peloton bikes and last week I did 60 miles on it. And I’ve also been hammering the weights, so I feel like I’m in a good place to get in there and also to test my mettle in the face of challenges.

“I am a very competitive human being.

“I would like to win. There are some very strong characters in there, so I would never assume that it will happen, but if someone asks ‘Would I like to win?’ Then yes of course I would.

“You don’t go from where I come from, which is the floor of a Salford workshop, to being the best-selling classical artist in the UK without being an impulsive madman. I have always worked hard and motivated. I always take a challenge with both hands.

“So I’m not going to go in there to fade into the background, that’s for sure.”

One thing Russell won’t let go of is the freezing weather at Gwrych Castle, and he claims his Manchester upbringing will mean he’s well-equipped to cope.

He said: ‘I live in Manchester so I’m used to it. It only rains and is cloudy most of the time, even during the summer.

“It’s nothing new to me and as a child North Wales is where my mom and dad used to bring my sister for holidays or days off at any time of the year. So I’m quite used to wrapping and gluing my scarf and Wellington boots on.

“It’s not really a challenge, I also quite like the cold, you know, because growing up in Salford my dad never turned on the central heating so the ice was always on the inside of the window in winter.

“An old friend of mine used to say, you know when it gets to minus five because that’s when Russell stops wearing shorts.”

And Russell already knows many of the existing contestants, having worked with Vernon Kay and Shane Richie over the years and meeting Beverley Callard from the Manchester show scene.

In contrast to Russell’s winning form, Ruthie, 53, has admitted to being a bit disappointed in being a wild card, rather than being sent in the top 10 contestants on the weekend.

The star onstage said: “I’ve been pulling my hair out for the last few weeks. I definitely think it feels a little more difficult because it feels like you’re late for school and everyone already has their gangs.

“So you feel a bit like I’m the outsider because you know they’ve been there for a few days.

“But I’m used to being part of a company, I’m used to entering that situation. I’m going to make the most of it, since I can jump into it. And then I hope they have room in their hearts for another celebrity.

“Who wouldn’t want to be queen of the castle? You know, that’s a wonderful title. But I’m not really even thinking that far. “

Spiritual Ruthie believes in ghosts and says she wouldn’t be surprised to see some in the castle, as she has spoken to them in the theaters where she performs.

She revealed, “I’d like to think that loved ones are still with us, so if that’s the case, maybe there are ghosts.

“Whenever I go into a theater once the show is over and it’s my last show in that theater I always go out, when the phantom light is on and I thank the theater and all the theater ghosts for having me for the time that I have been there.

“Because I think when people perform, if you’re performing at the Palladium, you know, maybe there’s still a little bit of Judy Garland fairy dust left.”