I’m A Celeb legend set for Celebrity Big Brother as ITV bosses make him ‘top target’ after jungle fame and quitting UK
CELEBRITY Big Brother bosses have set their signs on I’m A Celebrity and Towie legend Joey Essex for the star-studded reality show’s return in 2024.
The Sun has learnt that Joey, 33, is top of ITV’s wishlist when the nation’s most famous house throws its doors open to the showbiz world once again.
A source said: “Joey is hugely popular with the top brass at ITV and they think he would be TV gold on Celeb Big Brother – he’s hilarious, very likeable and likely to become one of the favourites to win.
“Joey has done lots of reality shows in the past, from the jungle to Dancing On Ice and even Splash! but he has never done Celebrity Big Brother.
“He was approached during the days when the show was on Channel 5 but it never quite lined up.
“No, with the celebrity version being revived after six years off air, producers think the timing is perfect for him to do it.”
The Sun understands that casting is still in the very early stages, with the series planning to air around the Spring, but bosses are hoping to reach out to Joey early in the new year and see where the conversations go.”
The Sun has approached ITV for comment
Last year, Joey quit the UK and moved to Dubai,where he is exploring a new career in boxing.
He recently challenged KSI to a fight, claiming he could ‘leather’ the YouTube star turned boxer.
But pals of the reality star reveal he would be keen to consider returning to the UK for a show like CBB if the offer was right.
A friend of Joey’s said: “He hasn’t turned his back on Britain or reality TV entirely, and he’d be up for the challenge of something crazy like Celebrity Big Brother, so watch this space…”