Coleen Rooney could reportedly be ruled out of a string of I’m A Celebrity challenges, due to a recent health issue.
The WAG, 38, is reportedly among the stars set to move into the famous camp in Australia later this month, after being paid a record sum by ITV bosses.
However, while viewers will be hoping that Coleen gets to tackle some of the show’s Bushtucker Trials, sources have now revealed that the star could be exempt from some, as she has reactive arthritis, which affects the joints and is set off by stress.
Coleen previously shared that she suffered a crippling bout of the condition due to the stress of her Wagatha Christie legal battle with Rebekah Vardy.
It’s thought that ITV medics will help to ease Coleen’s symptoms, if she suffers a flare-up during her time in the jungle.
Coleen Rooney could reportedly be ruled out of a string of I’m A Celebrity challenges, due to a recent health issue
The WAG could reportedly be ruled out of some Bushtucker Trials if she suffers a bout of reactive arthritis, which causes pain in the joints and can be triggered by stress
A source told The Sun: ‘The duty of care on I’m A Celeb is second to none and over the years the cast have been ruled out of challenges for a string of different reasons.
‘Some might have seemed trivial to viewers but the health and happiness of the celebs is of execs’ utmost concern. Coleen’s reactive arthritis being triggered by stress means execs want to wrap her in cotton wool and keep her happy and healthy.’
‘The condition is currently under control so at this stage it’s a ”could be” ruled out rather than a ”will be”. But her physical health will be monitored and, if she suffers a flare-up, her ability to perform each trial will be considered on a case-by-case basis.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Coleen Rooney and ITV for comment.
Reactive arthritis is a condition that can cause causes redness and swelling (inflammation) in various joints in the body, especially the knees, feet, toes, hips and ankles.
It can develop after an infection, but can also be triggered by stress.
In her Disney+ documentary last year, Coleen claimed the ‘intense’ anxiety caused by the Wagatha Christie court case triggered her illness.
The TV personality was sued for libel by Jamie’s wife Rebekah Vardy, 41, last May with a nine-day trial ultimately resulting in Coleen’s favour.
Coleen previously shared that she suffered a crippling bout of the condition due to the stress of her Wagatha Christie legal battle with Rebekah Vardy
She said: ‘It caused anxiety and there were lots of tears. I have reactive arthritis. I’ve had it previously but this situation brought it on a lot more.
‘It stripped me of my character and I didn’t want to socialise with people. I was completely in my own world. It was not a nice place to be.’
The WAG continued: ‘It hit home just how low I was at that time. My emotions really came out and that made the interview process quite intense, but then it was also a good chance to reflect.
‘I stuck to my guns from beginning to end. My story never changed from day one, and I was telling the truth.’
Coleen is rumoured to be earning at least £1.5million for signing up to the ITV primetime hit hosted by Ant and Dec, with the move said to be the ‘ultimate revenge’ on her rival because Rebekah was booted out early in the 2017 series.
It comes after it was revealed that it was Coleen who will be having an eye kept on her by Rebekah Vardy’s lawyers who will be listening out for any possible defamatory comments
While fans gear up for Coleen’s explosives stint in the Australian jungle, Rebekah, 43, appeared to poke fun at Coleen, 38, by making reference to her 2019 interview where she compared Wayne Rooney‘s wife to a ‘pigeon that would s**t in your hair’.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, Rebekah shared a throwback snap from her time in the jungle, alongside the cryptic words: ‘That feeling when you start seeing rehashed nonsense.’
In a fresh dig at her WAG rival, Rebekah added an animated pigeon emoji, making it clear she was alluding to her infamous bird comment.
One source close to Leicester City WAG Rebekah has claimed she now has no interest in the programme any longer – and most certainly won’t be watching.
But one expert told MailOnline that Rebekah will be ‘glued’ to ITV and watching everything Coleen says about her. Another source has said that Vardy’s legal team will also be watching like hawks.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede believes that Rebekah would be willing to launch a new lawsuit if Coleen says ‘any nuggets that could potentially defame her’.
But while Coleen knows ITV wants her to ‘spill more beans’ about the Wagatha Christie case and their rivalry, she will have been carefully coached by her lawyers about what she can and can’t say before she enters the jungle, Mr Ede says.
‘100% Rebekah will not be happy that Coleen is going on the show’, he said.
‘She will be keeping her eyes and ears glued to the screen in case she can garner any nuggets from Coleen that could potentially defame her.
‘Rebekah famously went in the jungle herself and for Coleen to be following in her footsteps will add insult to injury.
