Meet the celebrities heading into the jungle on I’m A Celebrity… 2026

Ahead of I’m A Celebrity premiering on January 18, the network revealed the identity of the first contestant heading into the jungle to be Luke Bateman.

“In some very exciting news, I’ll be trading the Australian outback for the African jungle,” he said in a post shared on Instagram.

“I’m very excited to see what Robert and Julia have cooked up for me. I’m sure there’ll be some delectable food items and some fear-instilling trials. I can’t wait.”

Luke, 30, played NRL for the Canberra Raiders from 2015 to 2019. He did, however, retire from the sport to due to injury and mental health.

I’m A Celebrity won’t be Luke’s first run at reality TV! In the 11th season of The Bachelor Australia, Luke searched for love as one of three Bachelors. While he did find love with Ellie Rolfe, the pair split in March 2024.

Afterwards, Luke kept busy with his farm. Until he joined TikTok and rapidly amassed a large following for admitting his love for fantasy novels in April 2025.

He now shares reviews on novels and is even set to become a fantasy author himself. Luke signed a two-book deal with Atria Books Australia, set to release in early 2027.

Gary Sweet is an Australian actor born in Melbourne in 1957, best known for starring in the hit TV drama Police Rescue, which made him a household name and earned him multiple acting awards.

He has appeared in numerous Australian series including Stingers, Big Sky, and House Husbands, as well as films such as The Tracker and Alexandra’s Project. Across a career spanning more than four decades, Gary has won Logie and AFI/AACTA awards and remains a familiar face on Australian screens.

Rebekah Elmaloglou needs no introduction to Australian viewers. The actress has been a star of stage and screen for many years, starting out when she was just eight years old in The Sound of Music.

She then went on to become a familiar face through her roles on Home and Away and, most notably, as Terese Willis on Neighbours.

New Zealand–born supermodel Rachel Hunter is heading into the jungle and bringing some zen with her. She is now an author and yoga and meditation instructor. Let’s hope she can keep her cool in the competition.

Discovered at 17, she rose quickly to global fame, appearing on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle, and becoming a regular face of Sports Illustrated.

Rachel’s charity is Little Wings. This not-for-profit provides free and safe transport services for sick children in rural and regional NSW, ACT and QLD.

Mia Fevola is an Australian fashion entrepreneur, digital creator and media personality, known for her style, wellness and lifestyle content.

The daughter of a former I’m A Celebrity… winner, she first came to public attention through her family before carving her own path with her fashion label MALLT and collaborations with major brands.

Comedian Nath Valvo is swapping the stand-up stage for the jungle this season. Nath’s big break in the comedy world came after he won the Best Comedy Award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and then the Best Newcomer Nomination at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His show, I’m Happy For You, has also been nominated for Best Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

He’s become a regular face on comedy shows Down Under. You’ve likely seen him on The Project, The Cheap Seats, Spick and Specks and plenty more.

Nath’s charity is Lifeline, and he has a personal reason for choosing it:

“My best mate died by suicide when we were 20, and my cousin also a couple of years ago. It’s the leading cause of death of young people in Australia.”

If you loved American sitcoms growing up, then you’ll likely be familiar with a little show called The Brady Bunch.

Barry came to fame as the eldest son of the clan, Greg Brady. His performance on the iconic show earned him the Young Artist Foundation’s Former Child Star “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 1989. He’s reprised the role numerous times and we wouldn’t be surprised if there are some Brandy Bunch-style antics with his fellow celebrities on this season of I’m a Celeb!

However, his talents have led to a vast career spanning television, film, and muisic including Broadway! He’s also a bestselling-author thanks to his autobiography, Growing Up Brady: I was a Teenage Greg.

Morning radio listeners will need no introduction to the co-host of triple-J’s breakfast show, Concetta Caristo.

The award-winning comedian has also co-hosted the 2025 Aria Awards, the ABC’s 2023 and 2024 New Year’s Eve coverage (earning a TV WEEK Logie nomination) and has appeared on numerous Australian comedy panel shows, including Taskmaster Australia, Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee, and Talkin’ About Your Gen.

She’s also a podcaster who co-created and co-hosts Big Natural Talents.

Iconic Australian singer Deni Hines, born Dohnyale Sharon Hines, aka the lead singer of The Rockmelons, is heading into the jungle!

Deni began her singing career at 15 years old, as a back-up performer for artists such as Jimmy Barnes and Kylie Minogue on her Rhythm of Love tour in 1991.

In 1995, Deni won the ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Single for her song “It’s Alright”, a platinum-selling hit.

She moved to the UK in 1997 and toured with Lighthouse Family and Earth, Wind & Fire. However, she’s since moved back to Australia and released a jazz album in 2007 as well as performing on stage in various musicals.

This isn’t Deni’s first time on a reality TV show. She appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice Australia, The Masked Singer Australia (as Unicorn), and Dancing with the Stars: All Stars.

Dyson Heppell is a former AFL captain, drafted by Essendon with pick No. 8 in 2010. He won the 2011 AFL Rising Star Award and went on to play more than 250 games for the Bombers.

An All-Australian and club Best and Fairest winner, Dyson captained Essendon for six seasons. Beyond football, he is a passionate mental health advocate and community figure, supporting causes close to his heart, including children’s palliative care charity Very Special Kids. Dyson founded Haych the Label, which supports Harrison Pennicott, who suffers from a rare autoimmune disease, scleroderma.

“They have played a big role in a number of families that are close to us,” Dyson said, “especially little H-Man. I’ve been involved with their fundraising days and help raise awareness where I can, and all of the staff are beautiful people.”

Entering in the second episode of the season was Cyrell Paule, aka MAFS’s Cyclone Cyrell. She’s one of Australia’s most memorable reality TV stars. She earned her nickname “Cyclone” for throwing a glass of wine at a rival on MAFS.

Her charity is Dolly’s Dream. This charity provides resources to young people and their families to help tackle bullying. A cause no doubt close to her heart as she raises her son, Boston.

Matt Zukowski is trying his hand at another reality TV show after his appearance on Love Island Australia.

He is also a co-host of the Where’s Your Heat At? podcast with fellow reality TV star alumna, Anna McEvoy.

Matthew was also in the headlines following his very public split from influencer Tammy Hembrow, just seven months after they married. The breakup sparked widespread speculation. Perhaps he’ll share some insights in the South African jungle.

The former judge of MasterChef is the final celebrity heading into the South African jungle.

“It’s outta the frying pan and into the camp kitchen…” Channel 10 said in a post.

George is best-known for his ten-year stint as host of MasterChef Australia. However, his businesses became embroiled in a wage scandal (read more here), and he has mostly been out of the public eye for the past six years.

He’s shared in previews that it’s time for him to share his side of the story…