I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! star Beverley Callard has insisted she won’t shy away from ruffling feathers during her time in the camp.
Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the series launch on Sunday, the Coronation Street star, 63, said she’s ‘subtle as a brick’ when it comes to speaking her mind, and won’t hold back from calling out stars who refuse to pull their weight.
Beverley also reassured fans that after undergoing hip surgery during the summer doctors gave her the all-clear to take part in the show, admitting she would have ‘hated’ to take part in the show only to be ruled out of trials on medical grounds.
Outspoken: I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! star Beverley Callard, 63, has insisted she won’t shy away from ruffling feathers during her time in the camp
Beverley told MailOnline: ‘I think the only thing that could get on my nerves are people who aren’t very straightforward and are a bit insincere that would drive me mad.
‘If we get somebody who feels they’re too good to do a bit of cleaning… I’m a good cleaner. I’m a very good cleaner.’
The actress added she wouldn’t be afraid to call out a star who wasn’t pulling their weight in the camp, adding: ‘I absolutely would, I’m subtle as a brick I might say. So I will try and be calm and keep my own counsel but if somebody is lazy I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut I don’t think.’
Views: The Coronation Street star said she’s ‘subtle as a brick’ when it comes to speaking her mind, and won’t hold back from calling out stars who refuse to pull their weight
Beverley has played the Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald on Coronation Street since 1989, but departed the soap earlier this year.
There had been doubts on whether the soap star would be able to take part in I’m A Celebrity, after having surgery on her hip during the summer.
She originally underwent a minor hip operation in March, followed by more substantial surgery after being left unable to walk.
But Beverley insisted she’s defied even her doctor’s expectations with her remarkable recovery, and will be able to take part in a majority of the trials.
On the mend: Beverley also reassured fans that after undergoing hip surgery during the summer doctors gave her the all-clear to take part in the show
She said: ‘I had one operation in March and then I had the great big one on 20th July, and I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to do it.
‘I’ll tell you what the hip surgeon said, these are his words not mine: ‘Beverely you’ve got no chance’ and then I’ve seen him a lot over the last few months and the last time when I saw him he was either going to say ”yes you can this” or ”no I can’t” and he said I’m a ”hell of a woman”.
‘He couldn’t believe it, and the hospital want to use me as an example. Theres one thing I can’t allow myself to do, and that’s bungee jumping, that’s the one thing I can’t do.
‘I would hate it if they said ”Beverley can’t take part in this because of medical grounds.”
‘I don’t want to be thought of as a wuss… but he said everything else i can do. I can walk, I can go upstairs, I can do everything. ‘
Slow process: She admitted she would have ‘hated’ to sign up for the show only to be ruled out of the trials on medical grounds
‘I’ve not missed one physio session, I’ve gone to hydrotherapy, I’ve done the whole lot. I’ve worked my socks off to be here so I’m not going to quit.’
Joining Beverley in the castle this year are Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah, 37, presenter Vernon Kay, 46; and Corrie icon Beverley Callard.
Also competing for the title of King or Queen of the Castle will be AJ Pritchard, 26; Shane Richie, 56; Jessica Plummer, 28; Victoria Derbyshire, 52; Giovanna Fletcher, 35; Hollie Arnold, 26, and Jordan North, 30.
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will host the series once again, while Vick Hope will be fronting The Daily Drop, a brand-new series following all camp activity, available on ITV Hub every morning after the main show.
The Geordie duo, the contestants and crew will be tested for COVID-19 every three days throughout the series, with the campmates able to mix freely while they live in the camp as they form their own bubble.
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! returns on Sunday at 9pm on ITV.
Coming soon: The I’m A Celebrity launch will see 10 celebrities move into Gwrych Castle for another round of trials and tribulations. The launch airs on Sunday at 9pm on ITV
I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! 2020: Who are the celebrities?
Name: SIR MO FARAH CBE
Age: 37
Claim to fame: The most successful British track athlete in Olympic Games history
Phobias: Any animal that moves
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running
Role in the camp: Cook
Miss most: Coffee, my wife and children
Dream campmate: Samuel L Jackson would be pretty cool
Relationship status: Married
Name: SHANE RICHIE
Age: 56
Phobias: Human faeces. If I see one, it is over! I am hoping the camp toilet will be enclosed
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: Nothing. I don’t think I am that interesting
Role in the camp: Person who will muck in with anything
Miss most: My family and routine at home
Dream campmate: Eric Cantona, any 80s’ pop star or The Roc
Relationship status: Married
Name: BEVERLEY CALLARD
Age: 63
Claim to fame: Corrie legend
Phobias: Ghosts and insects
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People think I am glamorous as I have played Liz for so long but I am not
Role in the camp: Cleaner
Miss most: Dogs and my husband, Jon
Dream campmate: Ricky Gervais – he would keep us all going
Relationship status: Married
Name: AJ PRITCHARD
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Former Strictly professional
Phobias: Heights, claustrophobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People see me with sparkles and fake tan but nobody knows what I am like
Role in the camp: Keeping spirits up and the cleaner
Miss most: My warm and comfy bed
Dream campmate: Any celebrity with an intriguing background
Relationship status: Dating
Name: VERNON KAY
Age: 46
Claim to fame: TV and radio presenter
Phobias: I don’t like being confined underwater!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I think I have always been the same throughout my career – so I don’t have any.
Role in the camp: Person to keep spirits up.
Miss most: My family.
Dream camper: Anybody who has won the Super Bowl!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE
Age: 52
Claim to fame: Award-winning journalist
Phobias: I am not a fan of spiders or confined spaces and I don’t know what I am going to be like when I get there!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t think I have any as people just know me as the news and current affairs person!
Role in the camp: Shoulder to cry on.
Miss most: My boys, husband, dog and Mum.
Dream campmate: Madonna, Gary Lineker and Jamie Oliver to cook for us. I think you could have some really geeky chats with them!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: GIOVANNA FLETCHER
Age: 35
Claim to fame: Author and podcaster
Phobias: Heights. My legs go wobbly and you can’t rationalise it
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I am not that controversial so nothing
Role in the camp: Mum, friend and the giver of hugs
Miss most: My husband, Tom, and my three children
Dream campmate: The Queen, Judi Dench and Ant Middleton so he can help us with all the survival skills
Relationship status: Married
Name: JESSICA PLUMMER
Age: 28
Claim to fame: Former EastEnders actress
Phobias: Arachnophobia, fear of heights –just about every phobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me for who I am rather than my EastEnders character
Role in the camp: Chatterbox and little sister
Miss most: My daughter. It’s going to be the longest we’ve been apart
Dream campmate: Denzel Washington would be awesome. I would listen to every word he said
Relationship status: Single
Name: JORDAN NORTH
Age: 30
Claim to fame: Radio 1 DJ
Phobias: It’s just easier to say what I am not scared of. I have so many phobias
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: On my Radio 1 show, I am always bubbly and energetic but everyone has down moments too, so it will be nice for people to see what I am really like
Role in the camp: Entertainer and the tidy up person –I love a tidy house
Miss most: A nice cool pint of Guinness
Dream campmate: Barack Obama and Liam Gallagher. He would be great entertainment value
Relationship status: Single
Name: HOLLIE ARNOLD MBE
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Paralympic gold medallist
Phobias: Spiders
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t want it to focus on my disability
Role in the camp: Cook/shoulder to cry on
Miss most: My boyfriend, food and my cats
Dream campmate: Michelle Keegan –she is beautiful
Relationship status: Dating