Jamie Lynn Spears believes three weeks in the n jungle will give viewers an opportunity to see ‘the real me’ as she prepares for the latest series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The actress and singer has signed up for the long-running ITV show, which returns on November 19, following a testy two-year estrangement from her older sister, pop icon Britney Spears.
Britney’s misgivings towards Jamie Lynn were laid bare in recent autobiography The Woman In Me, in which she claimed her younger sister had refused her plea for help after she was admitted to a residential treatment facility, purportedly against her will.
But the 32-year old, a mother-of-two, is ready to prove her critics – among them her famous sister – wrong by showing a rarely seen softer side in the unforgiving jungle camp.
‘There is literally every misconception you can have on a person about me so I don’t take any of it seriously,’ she said. ‘But I do think going on I’m A Celebrity will be a nice way for people to see the real me.
Here we go: Jamie Lynn Spears believes three weeks in the jungle will give viewers an opportunity to see ‘the real me’ as she prepares for the latest series of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!
Distance: The actress and singer has signed up for the ITV show, which returns on November 19, following a testy two-year estrangement from her older sister, pop icon Britney Spears
‘This is an opportunity to be myself and do something really cool and have some awesome experiences in the meantime.’
While she’s looking forward to the experience, her fear of insects and reptiles could be a major stumbling block when she does finally enter the jungle.
‘Everything I have seen I have been afraid of, she admits. ‘Absolutely every one of these trials I am dreading.
‘I haven’t looked at any of them and thought, “Oh cool, I could do that one”. This is going to be terrifying. ‘
Jamie Lynn expressed her own issues with Britney in her 2022 warts-and-all memoir Things I Should Have Said: Family, Fame, and Figuring it Out.
But despite the warring sisters airing their laundry in a very public arena, she insists she has a thick skin – an attribute that could come in handy when food and morale eventually run low.
She said: ‘I think my best quality is the fact that it takes a lot to hurt my feelings. Unless you are my children or my immediate family, nothing is going to hurt me.
‘I can take a lot of sh*t and it doesn’t get me down, so I really think it’s a good quality to have in a place where a lot of stuff is thrown at you!’
Old times: Jamie Lynn’s last reality TV appearance came on US talent show Dancing With The Stars (pictured)
Ready to rumble in the jungle: (L-R) Marvin Humes, Danielle Harold, Nigel Farage, Nick Pickard, Nella Rose, Josie Gibson, Jamie Lynn Spears, Fred Sirieix, Grace Dent and Sam Thompson
She added: ‘When they approached me, the first thing I had to do was talk it over with my family and my kids to make sure they were OK about me being gone for this amount of time. Once I got the all-clear from everybody, I was like, “Yeah, let’s go.”
The recent SAG-AFTRA writers and actors strikes have also given the American star – whose last reality TV appearance came on Dancing With The Stars – an opportunity to try something different,
‘I think it is so far out of my comfort zone and this year with SAG being on strike, I have said “yes” to a lot of unscripted projects,’ she said.
‘I am really enjoying throwing myself into these experiences. Meeting new people I would never have met is what I am most excited about. “Sharing stories around the campfire? I am looking forward to that.
‘Hopefully I will be the person to help when needed and be a support to others. Who knows? I may need all the support. I really don’t know until I get in there…’
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! launches on ITV1 at 9:00pm from November 19.
Speaking out: Britney’s misgivings towards Jamie Lynn were laid bare in recent autobiography The Woman In Me, in which she claimed her younger sister had refused her plea for help
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
NIGEL FARAGE
Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party and leader of the Brexit Party.
Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty.
Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news.
Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore.
Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields
DANIELLE HAROLD
Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.
Phobias: Rats. I hate them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too!
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either.
Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.
FRED SIRIEIX
Claim to fame: First Dates star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp.
Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning.
Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient!
Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.
NELLA ROSE
Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star.
Phobias: I am fearful of everything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book.
Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it!
Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele.
NICK PICKARD
Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star.
Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character.
Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop!
Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock.
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS
Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.
Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone.
Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed.
Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot.
Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.
SAM THOMPSON
Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter.
Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!
Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things.
Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle!
JOSIE GIBSON
Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.
Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information!
Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on!
Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry.
Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her.
MARVIN HUMES
Claim to fame: JLS star.
Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too.
Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food.
Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.
GRACE DENT
Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic.
Phobias: Horrible people.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep.
Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour!