With just a few weeks to go until Christmas Day (December 25th) arrives once more, fans of celebrities making fools of themselves on television are now tuning into the latest edition of ITV’s hit series, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.
As is often the case, viewers have chosen their ‘victim’ of the year in Emmerdale actor Danny Miller, who was forced to eat the likes of fermented catfish, a cow’s teat and, a pig’s brain in the first eating trial of the year. Describing himself as a “gipper”, it was clear the actor wasn’t exaggerating when talking about his gag reflex.
Still, he managed to battle through and take meals back to ‘The Clink’ for his fellow campmates, so maybe now he’ll get a break from the voting public…
Now as we previously mentioned, Danny is someone who has been entertaining audiences as part of ITV soap Emmerdale for over a decade. He’s not the first soap star to take part in I’m A Celebrity of course and, he certainly won’t be the last.
Female First looks back at how other soap actors have fared on the show, to see if Danny’s stands a chance of being crowned the King of the Castle…
Darren Day (Series 1)
Though he’s not your typical soap actor, Darren Day has starred in both Doctors and Hollyoaks in the past. He took part in the very first series of I’m A Celeb and whilst he’s a huge British heartthrob, he failed to really get off the mark, finishing in sixth place whilst competing in a field that only included eight competitors.
Danniella Westbrook (Series 2)
When it came time for the second series, EastEnders legend Danniella Westbrook failed to do much better. Though she did beat television weather reporter Siân Lloyd who finished in last place (10th), she failed to make it much further and was sent home in ninth.
Elaine Lordan (Series 5)
After taking a break from casting soap stars for a couple of series, ITV would bring a whopping four into the competition in the same year, with varying degrees of success. Elaine Lordan unfortunately was booted first, although we imagine she enjoyed the stay at the lavish Palazzo Versace Gold Coast in Australia...
Kimberley Davies (Series 5)
Having played Annalise Hartman in Neighbours between 1993 and 1996, Kimberley looked set to be one of the favourites in Series 5 but, after injuring herself in one of the infamous Bushtucker Trials, she left the competition in ninth place overall.
Sid Owen (Series 5)
When it was revealed Sid Owen would be taking part, many thought he would make it all the way to the finale due to his role as Ricky Butcher in BBC soap EastEnders; and they weren’t wrong! Though he didn’t quite manage to take the win, he did finish in third place.
Sheree Murphy (Series 5)
The final soap star taking part in the fifth series was Emmerdale’s own Sheree Murphy, who’s also starred in both Hollyoaks and Neighbours, but she was unexpectedly pipped to the post by journalist and author Carol Thatcher. Still, this made her the best-placed soap contestant in the show’s history to this point; something she would hold onto for a few years…
Malandra Burrows (Series 6)
Fellow Emmerdale star Malandra Burrows was hoping to replicate Sheree Murphy’s success when she signed up for Series 6 of I’m A Celeb, but she was sent packing in seventh after arriving on Day 6, just 10 days into her jungle experience.
Dean Gaffney (Series 6)
Another latecomer was EastEnders star Dean Gaffney, who provided one of the most hilarious and hysterical reactions in I’m A Celeb history thanks to his memorable first Bushtucker Trial experience. In the end, he would finish in fifth place, missing out on the finale by just one day.
Jason Donovan (Series 6)
Someone who did make it to the final however, was singer and former Neighbours actor, Jason Donovan. Many thought he would become the first soap star to be crowned King of the Jungle but, he was beaten out by both Myleene Klass who took second, and winner Matt Willis, eventually finishing up in third.
Marc Bannerman (Series 7)
Having played Gianni di Marco in Eastenders, Marc Bannerman would be hopeful that the soap's fans would carry him through. He fell victim to the first-out placement however, only lasting 10 days before being booted from the competition.
Gemma Atkinson (Series 7)
Someone who did better in the same series, although not quite as well as she was likely hoping, was former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson. After 18 gruelling days, she came in fifth, missing out on the finale by just two nights. A real shame, as she is undoubtedly one of the most down-to-earth TV personalities to take part in the show.
Joe Swash (Series 8)
I’m A Celeb got its first ‘duff duff’ moment when EastEnders star Joe Swash went all the way in Series 8, snatching the crown and being named King of the Jungle. He beat out the likes of Martina Navratilova and George Takei to make history, with it taking another few years before another soap star could join him amongst the ranks of champions!
Lucy Benjamin (Series 9)
As Lisa Fowler in EastEnders, Lucy Benjamin wowed audiences but, when she joined the line-up for the ninth series of I’m A Celeb, she failed to get off the ground running. During the third elimination of the year, she would be sent packing in 11th place, failing to replicate Joe Swash’s success.
Stuart Manning (Series 9)
The next Hollyoaks star to give the show a go was the hunky Stuart Manning and though he sent a whole portion of the audience wild with some soapy shower scenes, it wasn’t enough to push him right up the ranks and hand him the win. Instead, he would finish in fifth. Despite many going onto the show to boost their profile, Stuart has since said I’m A Celeb ruined his acting career… awkward!
Nigel Havers (Series 10)
The only soap star to take place in the tenth series of I’m A Celebrity was Nigel Havers and, let’s face it, he’s not exactly one of the most recognisable stars from that land. Not to say he isn’t a big British name - because he absolutely is - but he just wasn’t scratching that soap star itch. The audience agreed, and he was sent packing in 13th place.
Lorraine Chase (Series 11)
Soap legends would become a part of nearly every series from this point, with Emmerdale’s Lorraine Chase, who played Steph Stokes between 2002 to 2006, joining the eleventh outing for the iconic ITV competition. She would last 15 of the total 21 days, eventually finishing in ninth place.
Antony Cotton (Series 11)
Someone who took part in the same series and fared better was Coronation Street’s Antony Cotton. Though he appeared to be a grumpy so-and-so at times, he missed the finale by just a day and enjoyed a fourth place finish.
Helen Flanagan (Series 12)
“There’s the men who made Mummy’s life Hell,” Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan apparently told her daughter following her time in the I’m A Celeb jungle. Voted to do trial after trial, she would frustrate the show hosts when failing to take part in the majority of them but, still managed to climb the ranks and finish middle of the pack, in seventh place.
Charlie Brooks (Series 12)
Fans of EastEnders brought Charlie Brooks to the soap’s second crowning ceremony, as she became the Queen of the Jungle in arguably one of the best series the franchise has ever seen. She beat the likes of Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts and heavyweight boxer David Haye to the crown (and put up with having Helen Flanagan on her series!)
Laila Morse (Series 13)
EastEnders wouldn’t find that same success in Series 13 with the arrival of Laila Morse in the jungle. In fact, she only managed to place one better than last place celebrity Annabel Giles, finishing up in 11th after 16 days in the competition.
Lucy Pargeter (Series 13)
Someone on the same series from the world of soap who did make it almost all of the way however, was Emmerdale star Lucy Pargeter. As Chastity Dingle, she’s a no-nonsense, no-holds-barred slick talker but, when we saw her taking part in I’m A Celeb, she showed a more stripped-back, emotional personality that took her to third place.
Jorgie Porter (Series 15)
Following a soap-free 14th series, Series 15 would bring Hollyoaks’ own Jorgie Porter into the fold. She was instantly likeable, but no match against the brilliant Vicky Pattison from Geordie Shore who stole the nation’s hearts.
Larry Lamb (Series 16)
Though he played a murderous villain during his time in EastEnders, the nation fell head over heels in love with Larry Lamb when he took part in Series 16 of I’m A Celeb. After 19 days in the competition, he would be eliminated in seventh place but, earned a spot in the Hall of Fame of competing soap stars.
Adam Thomas (Series 16)
In the same series, Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas almost went the whole way but, was eventually beaten by both stand-up comedian Joel Dommett, who claimed second place and, Gogglebox’s own Scarlett Moffatt, who would take home the I’m A Celeb crown.
Jennie McAlpine (Series 17)
Though she wasn’t one of the most outgoing members of the camp in Series 17 of I’m A Celebrity, Coronation Street’s Jennie McAlpine still managed to go deep into the competition and eventually finished in fourth place.
Jamie Lomas (Series 17)
Hollyoaks would see their biggest I’m A Celeb success with Jamie Lomas, after the actor managed to make it to the finale of the 17th series, being beaten only by Made in Chelsea reality start, Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo. Having also starred in EastEnders AND Coronation Street, Jamie is one of the most seasoned soap actors to have ever graced the small screen.
Malique Thompson-Dwyer (Series 18)
Unfortunately for Malique Thompson-Dwyer, the Hollyoaks good fortune didn’t continue on into Series 18. He outlasted only Noel Edmonds before being sent packing, becoming the first casualty in a trio of soap smashes this series…
Sair Khan (Series 18)
From the cobbles of Corrie to the jungle, Sair Khan would be the second of the soap casualties in this series. She was quite a quiet figure during her time on the show, failing to really make waves with her appearance.
Rita Simons (Series 18)
The final surviving soap star of Series 18 would quickly follow Sair Khan out of the door. Though EastEnders star Rita Simons has always been a hit with the fans, she didn’t manage to get too far in the competition and would finish in eighth place.
Cliff Parisi (Series 19)
The latecomers to Series 19 were a pair of soap stars that fans of EastEnders and Coronation Street were super excited to see! The first of them, Cliff Parisi, proved to be a hilarious addition to camp but, he didn’t do enough to get the nation behind him. He would finish in 10th place overall.
Andy Whyment (Series 19)
Second latecomer Andy Whyment however, of Coronation Street fame, almost went all the way. Though he was the runner-up of the series, his kind-hearted nature and good soul left an impression on the audience that was everlasting.
Jacqueline Jossa (Series 19)
Eventual winner of the same series, Jacqueline Jossa, is best known to EastEnders viewers as Lauren Branning. Going through it in her personal life, those watching really connection with her on a level that was relatable for many. Seeing her crowned was one of the most heartwarming moments in I’m A Celeb history.
Beverley Callard (Series 20)
Though she would provide memorable moments, such as talking about how good her husband was in the bedroom, Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard found herself near the bottom of the voting pack during last year’s (2020) first edition of I’m A Celeb, straight from Wales. She would end the competition in 10th place.
Jessica Plummer (Series 20)
Also taking part last year was Jessica Plummer, who joined the show just a few weeks after leaving her role in EastEnders. She was a sweet and humble addition to the cast but, couldn’t go all the way, instead finishing in seventh.
Shane Richie (Series 20)
Finally, there was EastEnders legend Shane Richie. As Alfie Moon, he was a cheeky chappy who always made audiences laugh. In I’m A Celeb however, he did have his down days when he wasn’t afraid to get grumpy and even throw a bit of shade! Audiences forgave him however, handing him fourth place in exchange for his efforts in some hilarious Bushtucker Trials.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues daily on ITV.
RELATED: Nicola McLean thinks Danny Miller could be 'playing a game' on I'm A Celebrity
Tagged in Coronation Street Eastenders Emmerdale Hollyoaks Neighbours Danny Miller I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here