BBC Gavin and Stacey fans divided as series star tipped for ITV I'm A Celebrity stint: 'Annoying!'

Joanna Page is said to be in advanced negotiations with ITV to appear on this year's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

The 49-year-old Welsh actress, beloved for her portrayal of Stacey Shipman in the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey, has met with network executives about joining the Australian jungle series.

A source told The Sun: "Joanna is in the advanced stages of talks for I'm a Celebrity and all the signs are looking positive."

The mother-of-four from Swansea is understood to be eager to participate, with insiders suggesting she wants viewers to discover her authentic personality beyond her television roles.

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"She has confided in friends that she's really keen to take part and wants to go on and make her children proud," the source added.

The final episode of Gavin and Stacey, broadcast on Christmas Day 2024, attracted more than 20 million viewers.

Ms Page would not be the first cast member from the beloved sitcom to venture into the Australian wilderness.

Larry Lamb, who portrayed Stacey's father-in-law Mick Shipman in the series, competed on I'm A Celebrity back in 2016, ultimately finishing in seventh position.

A source noted: "She's a huge BBC star and it would be a coup if ITV can get her to sign her contract and put her front and centre on their biggest entertainment show."

Fans of the celebrity jungle series were quick to take to X to share their thoughts on Ms Page's possible casting.

"Great booking, surprised they haven’t had any Gavin and Stacey stars so far on Strictly or I’m a Celeb," one fan said.

Another wrote: "Just rewatched her series on Taskmaster, I love her. Hope she does! That would be a surprisingly decent name for a show like that. If they’re getting the likes of Joanna Page and Christopher Dean going in, then they’re really getting the great names this year. Has I’m A Celeb had a budget increase? #imaceleb"

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"She has the personality and humor to be a fan favorite, so it'll be fun to see how she handles the jungle," penned a third.

However, not everyone has taken to the idea.

One critic called Ms Page "fully irritating" and "annoying".

Another suggested that "it will pay well, but it won’t be great for her acting career".

"Who?" asked another.

GB News has reached out to representatives for Ms Page and ITV for comment.

The ITV reality show is also said to be pursuing Olympic ice dancer Sir Christopher Dean, 67, who has historically declined approaches from producers.

However, following his retirement and the cancellation of Dancing on Ice in March 2025, the skating legend appears to have reconsidered.

A source revealed: "He's always been adamant the jungle isn't for him. When bosses came knocking this year, he saw it in a different light."

Mr Dean, who won gold at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics alongside partner Dame Jayne Torvill, has allegedly held multiple meetings with show producers about becoming a campmate.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova, 36, is another name being linked to the programme after departing the BBC series following nine years.

The Ukrainian dancer's exit from Strictly has freed her schedule, as the two shows typically clash during filming.

Mis-Teeq singer Su-Elise Nash, 45, has also emerged as a potential campmate as the girl group prepares to mark 25 years since their debut album Licking On Both Sides with a Wembley concert this autumn.

The group, which included Alesha Dixon and Sabrina Washington, disbanded in 2005, but their reunion has reignited interest in Ms Nash for the jungle.

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