Maura Higgins set for awkward I’m A Celeb run in with hunky ex’s famous father after he’s unveiled as ‘last minute replacement’ – following ITV show’s full lineup being revealed

Maura Higgins is set for an awkward run in with her ex’s famous father on this year’s I’m A Celeb, following the show’s official line up being revealed on Friday. 

The Love Island star, 33, will be joined in the jungle by boxing legend Barry McGuigan, 63, six years after dating his hunky son Shane, 36.

It may come as a shock to Maura, after Barry was unveiled as a last minute replacement for ex footballer Ally McCoist, 62, who dropped out for a third time, according to The Mirror. 

The stunner dated boxing coach Shane in 2018, a year before finding fame on Love Island, when she worked as ring girl and he was commentating on a match.

With a source telling The Sun at the time: ‘Maura has brains and beauty and she quickly caught Shane’s eye’.

‘They went on a few dates and had fun, but Maura lives in Ireland, Shane is running his successful boxing gym in London, and then she was travelling for work so it wasn’t easy to pull off. 

‘There were no hard feelings when it ended. It turned out to be short lived and the spark fizzled out.’ 

Barry and wife Sandra, share Shane as well as sons Blane, 40, and Jake 36. Their daughter Danika, an actress, tragically died from colon cancer in 219 aged just 33.

Amid reports that Barry replaced Ally McCoistin in the lineup a source told The Mirror: ‘Barry is a bona-fide sporting legend and he’s a great person to have heading for the jungle. When he rose to fame in the 1980s as the WBA featherweight boxing champ he became a non-sectarian ambassador’. 

‘He fought for both Ireland and Great Britain and was loved and respected on both sides of the divide. There’s not many who can say that’.

MailOnline have contacted Ally McCoist’s reps and ITV for comment. 

Following months of speculation, Coleen Rooney and Strictly star Oti Mabuse will be heading Down Under for the new series later this month, alongside longtime soap star Alan Halsall.

Rounding out the lineup are Loose Women star Jane Moore, DJ Dean McCullough, Tulisa, radio presenter Melvin Odoom, Reverend Richard Coles and podcast presenter GK Barry.

Stripped of luxuries and creature comforts, stars will have face a string of Bushtucker Trials in a bid to win food for the camp, and only one will leave as the King Or Queen of the Jungle.

MailOnline takes a look at the stars who are thought to be heading to Oz when I’m A Celeb’s new series begins on November 17th…

Coleen Rooney  

Coleen is said to have been keen on joining the show for years, but only recently felt confident enough to leave her family in the UK.

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.

She is also thought to be getting the ‘ultimate revenge’ by signing up, with her arch-rival, Rebekah Vardy, being booted out early in the 2017 series.

Rebekah apparently has no plans to watch Coleen’s stint on I’m A Celebrity unless it’s to catch her tacking a stomach-turning Bushtucker Trial.

She is said to have made it clear that she’s not particularly interested in watching Coleen but would tune in if she knew she would be eating something revolting.

A source told The Sun: ‘Coleen was banging on during the trial, claiming she was such a private person, and now she’s going on one of the most watched shows on television.’

Whilst Rebekah may not be an avid viewer, her legal team are said to be paying close attention to anything that could be said.

Fans are desperate for Coleen to tell all about the Wagatha Christie drama on the reality show, but it’s been reported that she is not taking any chances. 

After the high-profile trial, Mrs Justice Steyn ruled in Coleen’s favour in July 2022, finding the post was ‘substantially true’. 

Danny Jones

Danny could be following in the footsteps and bagging the winner title as McFly drummer Dougie Poynter was crowned King Of The Jungle in 2011, while Tom’s wife Giovanna Fletcher, was crowned Queen Of The Jungle in 2020.

According to new reports, Danny is preparing to jet out to Australia next weekend ahead of the launch later in November.

A source told MailOnline: ‘Danny’s hugely popular already and very good looking – female viewers will lap him up.’

The Voice wrapped up last week, just in time for Danny’s looming jungle appearance later this year.

Mentors Danny and Tom bought Ava Mannings all the way through to the final, where she was crowned winner of The Voice 2024.

Barry McGuigan

Boxing legend Barry is also set to fly out to Australia, after pleas from hosts Ant and Dec that he should sign up.

It was reported by The Mirror that the promoter was drafted in as a last-minute replacement for Ally McCoist, after he pulled out of the lineup.

A source said: Barry is a bona-fide sporting legend and he’s a great person to have heading for the jungle. When he rose to fame in the 1980s as the WBA featherweight boxing champ he became a non-sectarian ambassador. 

‘He fought for both Ireland and Great Britain and was loved and respected on both sides of the divide. There’s not many who can say that.’

Barry held major featherweight titles from 1983 to 1986, and was named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in 1985.

In 2017, he also poked fun at pal Amir Khan, and branded him ’embarrassing’ when he ran away from a snake during his own jungle stint. 

He said at the time: ‘He was a bit embarrassing on the first task but he made up for it last night.’ 

Alan Halsall

Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap.

A source told The Sun: ‘Tyrone is one of Corrie’s most-loved characters so Alan comes with a ready-made fan base.

‘Sometimes soap actors who are known for their iconic roles don’t quite translate once in camp – Adam Woodyatt being one recent example.

‘But Alan is a top lad with bags of personality so ITV are over the moon he’s signed up again.’

Maura Higgins

It was previously reported that I’m A Celebrity bosses had set their sights on Maura after boxer Tommy Fury withdrew at the last minute.

ITV were now eyeing up Molly-Mae’s best friend Maura, 33, to take his place in the jungle, with bosses apparently banking on the Irish beauty to spill the beans about her pal.

A source told The Sun: ‘With Tommy Fury pulling out it gave show bosses the opportunity to look at other Love Island stars and Maura stood out as the perfect candidate.

‘She’ll bringing a bit of glamour to the jungle and make a brilliant campmate because she’s got a great sense of humour and is bound to get on with everyone.

‘It’s shaping up to be a strong year for woman on I’m A Celebrity this year.’

With Tommy out of the running, it was said to have paved the way for Maura’s appearance on the show as it meant that there wouldn’t be two stars from the 2019 series of the famous dating show in the jungle.

Oti Mabuse

It was first reported back in September that Oti was ‘in talks’ with I’m A Celeb bosses, following the birth of her daughter last year.

Oti and her husband Marius Lepure, 41, revealed they had become parents in November but their baby was born prematurely with an infection, spending six weeks in intensive care.

A source told the publication: ‘Oti is a brilliant name for I’m A Celebrity, she’s hugely popular and well liked by the ITV audience so bosses are over the moon she could be a campmate this year.

‘She’s very much seen as being part of the ITV family of stars and is always guaranteed to be great fun.’

Oti shocked fans when she announced she would be leaving Strictly as a double champion after seven years in 2022. 

Oti won the Glitterball trophy in two consecutive years with Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher and comedian Bill Bailey leaving many to believe that the South African could be set for a sensational hat trick.

But speaking on the All Change podcast last year, Oti admitted that the pressure of dealing with the celebrity contestants and stress she put on herself became too much and she turned to her husband for support. 

She explained: ‘Luckily my husband again has been an amazing person who has seen the dark days, the days where I’m in the shower crying with my clothes on because it’s so hard and it’s so overwhelming. He’s seen me having to deal with ‘interesting personalities.’

Tulisa 

After relaunching her career by reuniting with N-Dubz last year, singer Tulisa was courted by I’m A Celebrity bosses to take part, after being approached several times in the past.

A source told The Sun that after finding a whole new audience on N-Dubz’s reunion tour, Tulisa is hoping to relaunch her TV career, a decade after leaving The X Factor judging panel. 

An insider said: ‘This year is a decade since she left The X Factor so she felt the time was right to return to the TV spotlight — the amazing reception to the N-Dubz reunion tour really helped build her confidence.

‘Crucially for ITV, the breadth of her career means that she will appeal to I’m a Celebrity’s wide audience.

‘As well as everyone knowing her from The X Factor, her original music fanbase has boomed thanks to the N-Dubz reunion tour.

‘TV bosses are particularly excited by the new wealth of fans in the crucial 16 to 24 age range who have discovered Tulisa and the band through TikTok and everyone hopes the deal is signed soon.’

Melvin Odoom

Radio DJ Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

However it’s now been reported he will be taking part this year, following a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

Melvin has previously spoken about appearing on I’m A Celeb, saying: ‘I think it’s an amazing show to watch.

‘I think it’s so entertaining, but I don’t think I could hack being in the jungle. I’d be too, too scared.’

Jane Moore 

Best known to millions as a regular panellist on Loose Women, Jane is set to follow in the footsteps of her Loose Women co-stars, former Jungle Queen, Stacey Solomon, Charlene White, and Olivia Attwood.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow.

The journalist and Gary raised her daughters Ellie and Grace, whom she has from a previous relationship, together. She is also a step-mother to his older daughter, Lauren.

In December 2022, Jane announced live on Loose Women that she and showbiz agent Gary had decided to separate but they remained ‘best friends’ and she had been caring for him after he broke his leg.

A source revealed to MailOnline that Jane is at a point in her life where she wants to conquer new tasks and going on I’m A Celeb will push her to the ultimate limit.

A TV source revealed: ‘Jane is really excited for the challenge of I’m A Celeb.

‘She’s been separated from Gary now for two years and it’s about time she set herself a new goal, to really experience what she’s made of.

‘It’s been a transformative few years for Jane and doing the show, which will be completely out of her comfort zone, is something she’s really looking forward to.

‘As a journalist, she thrives among people and is hoping to make new friends in camp as well as share stories from her interesting life with whoever else is there.’

An ITV spokesperson said: ‘Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! are speculation.’

Jane confirmed she and Gary, whose clients included Elton John, had ended their marriage two years ago but it was an amicable split. 

Dean McCullough

Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views.

A source said: ‘Dean isn’t known for being a shrinking violet and is sure to be outspoken — plus he’s one of the youngest men lined up for the show so far.’

Earlier this year it was also announced that Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.

Speaking about the new job, Dean said: ‘I’m really excited to be taking over the reins from the amazing Arielle Free.

‘The Early Breakfast crew are the best listeners at Radio 1. I’m really excited to get stuck in and wake up the nation every morning.’

Reverend Richard Coles

Another BBC Radio host set to join Dean in the jungle, is Reverend Richard Coles, with sources hoping he won’t hold back when it comes to slamming his former employer.

A source said: ‘Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth.’

The ex Strictly star – a former member of pop group The Communards – has been vocal in his criticism of the BBC previously and last year said the broadcaster ‘didn’t know its a**e from its elbow’. 

Richard previously hosted Radio 4’s Saturday Live show but left last year after more than a decade on the channel.

The star said he felt hurt at the way his exit had been handled and previously told The Guardian newspaper: ‘If you leave a programme after 12 years, a gentler process would have been nice. But what happens happens.

‘It just feels a little bit rushed. It’s been frustrating for me having to wait for an announcement, and now it’s my last programme on Saturday. I’d rather have had a longer goodbye to listeners.

‘It just feels a bit sad. I’m sorry to go; I’ve loved the programme, I’ve loved the people I’ve worked with, and it’s been a big part of my life. I shall miss it.’

GK Barry

It was first reported in August that podcaster and social media star GK Barry was in ‘advanced talks’ to join the I’m A Celebrity lineup.

It was previously reported that GK was set to be appear in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing, but turned down a spot on the scandal-plagued show. 

A source said: ‘GK is hugely popular with the younger generation and is sharp and quick witted which would translate well to chats around the campfire with other celebs.

‘Producers think she has great energy and is highly entertaining.

‘She has millions of social media followers, which is a top focus of ITV at the moment. Grace is savvy and knows this is a brilliant opportunity to become more of a household name’.

It comes after Grace broke her silence about whether she’s really ‘feuding’ with her Loose Women co-star Frankie Bridge as she opened up about breaking into the world of TV.

Last month, Loose Women fans accused The Saturdays star Frankie of ‘not liking’ guest panellist Grace after she implied she made a ‘backhanded compliment’ towards her.

However, the influencer has now revealed that the duo ‘were laughing about’ the rumours and the singer was ‘actually really lovely’ to her the entire time she was on the show.