Who is Louise Minchin? I'm A Celebrity 2021 star and former BBC Breakfast host

Former BBC journalist Louise Minchin will be following in Victoria Derbyshire's footsteps as she is confronted by creepy crawlies and her other biggest phobias at Castle Gwrych

Rose Hill Deputy Showbiz Editor

22:30, 15 Nov 2021Updated 22:35, 15 Nov 2021

Im A Celeb: Mark Jefferies looks ahead at the latest series

She shocked viewers when she quit BBC Breakfast in the summer after 20 years, but now we know her next career move - tackling the I'm A Celebrity castle!

Experienced journalist Louise Minchin will be following in Victoria Derbyshire's footsteps as she is confronted by creepy crawlies and her other biggest phobias at Castle Gwrych.

Explaining her reason for going on the ITV show, she said: "Going on Im A Celebrity is a big adventure, she said. It is very different to sitting on the BBC Breakfast sofa and it will be scary and daunting but it will also be lots of fun.

Ive driven past the Castle quite a few times and I am really excited for it to be in Wales again. This time last year I had a broken ankle and I literally sat on the sofa at home watching every single minute of it thinking, Oh my gosh that Castle looks incredible, one day I would love to be part of it and now I am!

[Louise Minchin is tackling I'm A Celeb after quitting BBC Breakfast in the summer]

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Louise Minchin is tackling I'm A Celeb after quitting BBC Breakfast in the summer(Image: ITV)

"I didnt tell Dan Walker I was doing Im A Celebrity before coming to Wales but I dont think he will be surprised! He knows me well and I think he will be both excited and nervous for me. I have been voting for him on Strictly so fingers crossed he will vote for me a lot."

Opening up about not being able to know what's going on in the world for over two weeks, she said: "I have spent the last 20 years immersed in news every single day.

"For me to not know what is going on in the news is going to be extraordinary. Not having access to the phone and not constantly scrolling, looking at everything isa difficult thing to let go of but I am also actually looking forward to it.

Any phobias?

The biggest challenge for me is going to be small spaces. I cant get in a lift with too many people in and I would rather walk up the stairs than get in the lift. And anything with cockroaches, spiders or rats I will squeal and scream. That is not my idea of fun at all!

My family are very worried I will scream a lot and make a terrible fuss. But they are also really excited because they know how much I love challenging myself.

[Louise left the BBC after 20 years]

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Louise left the BBC after 20 years(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Plans after I'm A Celeb?

I havent made any concrete plans. And I dont know what the future holds but I am so looking forward to having some fun in Wales. My job is incredibly serious especially so over the past 18 months and I am really looking forward to the change doing Im A Celebrity.

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Odds of winning

7/1

*I'm A Celebrity returns on Sunday at 9pm on ITV

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