Dame Arlene Phillips is "concerned" about being the oldest in the 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' camp.
Dame Arlene Phillips is the oldest ever I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestant
The 78-year-old choreographer is the oldest star to take part in the show's history and though she is worried about how her body will cope with the basic facilities and tough tasks on the programme, she isn't too worried about the rest of the celebrities being younger than her.
She said: “Obviously I am concerned, everything changes in your body as you get older.
“As far as being the oldest, I have always been the oldest. When I was 36 and my first baby there was shock horror at this geriatric mother having a baby and then my second one at 47. I feel like I have always been the oldest at doing something so it’s nothing new to me.”
The former 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge hopes the show will allow viewers to see a different side of her.
She said: "I think that the one thing that people don't know about me is the career that I had in the past and some of the things that became family favourites, people have got no idea.
"I hope that I come across warm and helpful and kind and hopefully the home-y fun me."
Arlene had turned down the programme "at least" 10 times in the past but finally agreed to say yes because it is again being filmed in Wales, rather than Australia.
She said: “I have been asked at least ten time before, and I said no. I knew it was going to be in the castle and despite it being cold, it’s close.
“I have done that journey to Australia so many times and gone out to work and found myself with my face in my food. I love Wales so if I had the opportunity and if I was ever doing to say yes, the fact that it is close by was a big plus.”
And the dance expert joked a "moment of madness" had overcome her when she agreed to take part.
She quipped: “I think a moment of madness was probably the biggest factor and also, it’s the weirdest thing, I said no before and not just because I thought I can’t do that and admire the people who do it and push themselves, but also it’s the first time when I have been asked why I actually had time available.
“I have worked probably every single year for the last 20 years through October, November, December.
"It’s the first time I have really thought about it. I want to show my granddaughters that grandma can do anything and also totally a moment of madness, is all I can say.”