Danielle Harold has said she is ‘single and not looking for love’ ahead of her entry into the I’m A Celebrity jungle on Sunday.
The EastEnders actress, 31, also revealed the surprising ways she is preparing for her time in camp.
Danielle played Lola Pearce-Brown in the BBC soap until her character was killed off in May this year after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour in a gripping storyline.
Speaking about her upcoming jungle entrance, she revealed: ‘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. It’s definitely going to be nice to be myself and just have fun. The parts I have been playing have involved heavy stuff and to just be me is exciting.’
New campmate: Danielle Harold has said she is ‘single and not looking for love’ ahead of her entry into the I’m A Celebrity jungle on Sunday
Exciting: The EastEnders actress, 31, also revealed the surprising ways she is preparing for her time in camp
She quickly dispelled reasons about the reasons for choosing to enter camp now, revealing that she is happily single and doesn’t intend to follow in the footsteps of those who have found love while on the show – such as Peter Andre and Katie Price.
Danielle continued: ‘I am single and no I am not looking for love!
‘It’s been a crazy, crazy year and so why not top it off with the craziest thing ever by doing this?! It’s definitely a shock to the system and I am both excited and nervous.
‘This is so much tougher than anything or any role I have ever done before as it is all so new.’
The actress spilled the beans on how she is preparing for the notoriously challenging time on the ITV show – where campmates are often forced to just eat rice and beans for dinner.
But instead of preparing herself for the gruelling diet, Danielle has been making the most of her last days of food freedom.
She said: ‘I love snacking and rather than weaning myself off them in the run up, I have gone the opposite way.
‘And so, I have been drinking tons of cola instead of a little and rather than one cup of tea in the morning – which I love – I’ve been drinking three cups!’
Full line up: Fred Sirieix, Grace Dent, Danielle Harold, Marvin Humes, Josie Gibson, Jamie Lynn Spears, Sam Thompson, Nella Rose, Nigel Farage and Nick Pickard
Return: The jungle camping series will return to ITV1 and ITVX from November 19
On the show: Danielle played Lola Pearce-Brown in EastEnders until her character was killed off this year
Danielle has been notoriously private about her personal life.
Although she has cosied up to her on-screen husband Jamie Borthwick, Danielle has never confirmed her relationship status with him.
Posting a photo with Jamie last year at the Broadcast Awards, she captioned her photo ‘my love’, sparking speculation that they could be more than friends.
Danielle has also been linked to her EastEnders co-star turned Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier as they were allegedly seen holding hands while arriving at the National Television Awards in October last year.
A source told The Mirror at the time: ‘Bobby and Danielle walked separately from the rest of the EastEnders cast at times. They certainly looked comfortable in each other’s company.’
She originally made her TV debut on Jamie Oliver’s Dream School, where the celebrity chef helped those with fewer that five GCSEs get into their dream jobs.
On the show, historian David Sarkey saw her bright potential and even suggested she could apply to Cambridge University.
Danielle told the Daily Mail at the time: ‘It was so much fun and a completely new experience. It made me believe in myself and made me realise I could achieve whatever I wanted in life.’
She has also been open about a long-term health battle which affected her badly during her GCSEs.
A long-term bladder illness meant she ‘gave up’ with trying with her big exams after falling ill in Year 10.
I’m A Celebrity launches on Sunday November 19 at 9pm on ITV.
Pals: Danielle has previously been linked to Strictly star Bobby Brazier – but the pair appear to be just friends
Co-star: Rumours have also swirled between Danielle and her on-screen husband Jamie Borthwick – but she has never confirmed their relationship
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!