EXCLUSIVE: Former Strictly pro Vincent Simone, a campmate on the 2013 series of I’m A Celebrity, says this year’s stars will find the jungle “hard” if they don’t do this

I’m A Celebrity star Vincent Simone has shared his top tips for this year’s ITV campmates.

The former Strictly pro, 45, had his stint in the jungle back in 2023, entering camp on Day Five with late TV star Annabel Giles. And he’s got some words of wisdom for this year’s stars heading into camp.

This year’s I’m A Celebrity cast includes the likes of Strictly star Oti Mabuse, Corrie star Alan Halsall, singer Tulisa and former boxing champ Barry McGuigan in camp. Love Island star Maura Higgins is also reportedly a late-entry campmate.

Vincent, who is working with Jackpotjoy, has told celebrities to stay as active as possible during their time Down Under, so that they keep themselves in shape physically. The Italian dancer reckons if they spend too much time lazing around in camp, they might find themselves struggling as the stint will become “hard”.

Vincent Simone has told this year’s campmates to stay as active as possible in camp (Image: ITV)

He said: “I always found a way to entertain myself, I never found myself in a down or dark place. Even being active physically, it’s very important because it can be hard if you lay around too much, if you’re sitting down too much.

“So just be active. They kept saying that to me as well, as a suggestion. Just keep moving and do some exercises, because you lose weight, you lose fat, and it’s important you keep your muscles up to scratch.”

The Strictly star said he spent most of his time dancing during his 2013 stint in the jungle (Image: NIGEL WRIGHT. SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA (T) +61 409363339 COPYRIGHT IMAGE NO USE OF ANY SORT WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR NIGEL WRIGHT.)
Vincent revealed he didn’t have a gameplan for the jungle but simply threw himself into the experience by dancing with his co-stars, including Alfonso Ribeiro who ended up winning Strictly spin-off Dancing with the Stars. He insisted the show is “all about entertaining yourself”.

He added: “No, I didn’t have a strategy. I really enjoyed my time. For me, it’s all about entertaining yourself, and being entertained. So I had loads of chats with different campmates, doing lots of dancing with the women.

This year’s cast includes Coleen Rooney, Tulisa and Alan Halsall (Image: ITV)

“I was in the jungle with Alfonso Ribeiro, we did some technical dancing because he’s a performer. In fact, the year after, he went to do Dancing with the Stars in America and he won it.”

This year’s cast includes WAG Coleen Rooney, Strictly star Oti Mabuse, Corrie star Alan Halsall, singer Tulisa and former boxing champ Barry McGuigan. Love Island star Maura Higgins is also reportedly a late-entry campmate.