Could Boy George become the next King of the Jungle? (Picture: Brian Rasic/WireImage)
Boy George may enjoy his vegetarian diet, but he played coy over whether or not he’d eat creepy crawlies when he goes into the jungle on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.
While the 2022 cast of the show is yet to be officially announced by ITV, stars including Mike Tindall, Charlene White, Owen Warner and Sue Cleaver have been photographed arriving at the airport in Australia ahead of the new series.
Boy George, real name George Alan O’Dowd, was one of the latest contestants to touch down in the land Down Under, sporting a novelty lion mask while declaring himself the ‘Lion King’ before going for the coveted ‘King of the Jungle’ title.
While speaking to press at the airport, he teased that he ‘hopes’ he’ll be able to wear his lion mask in the camp.
When asked whether he plans on refraining from eating any bugs when the celebrities are forced to endure unpleasant eating Bushtucker Trials, the Karma Chameleon musician didn’t give the most straightforward answer.
‘I’m a Lion Queen, I have told you. I love all creatures,’ he responded to The Sun.
The singer made a bold, roar-tastic entrance at the airport (Picture: James Gourley/Shutterstock)
The 61-year-old previously told I’m A Celebrity co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly that he’d only participate on I’m A Celeb if he was able to do so with a vegan diet.
‘Unless you do a vegan version and then I’m in,’ he told the presenting duo.
Several years ago on Twitter, he emphasised that he’s ‘not vegan’, stating on This Morning in 2018: ‘I’m vegetarian, not vegan. I couldn’t live in a world without cheese… I have cheese every day.’
If he does only eat vegetarian food in the camp, he wouldn’t be the first celebrity to have a special diet tailored for them.
Coronation Street star Beverley Callard was forced to speak out in 2020 when viewers expressed doubt over the claims that she was a vegan, after she was given a plant-based diet on the show.
Beverley had a plant-based diet on the show (Picture: ITV/Rex)
‘There has been some chat about your veganism and some doubt to the validity of it,’ Dec said at the time, before Ant added: ‘Come clean now. Is it just for the show?’
However, she insisted: ‘No. I started it in March because I had an operation and I saw this documentary that said joints heal quicker if you’re plant-based.’
Who do you think will win the show this year? (Picture: Rex/Getty)
The celebrities who enter this year’s show will experience a massive shock to the system when they go without their usual, day-to-day luxuries.
For Boy George, the uniform they all have to wear might prove a challenge, after he revealed he’d ‘have to get certain hats made’ if he ever took part.
‘There would be serious clothing restrictions in the jungle,’ he previously said.
‘I’d have to get certain hats made and I couldn’t get over the food. I would have a problem with that.’
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returns on Sunday November 6 at 9pm on ITV.
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‘I love all creatures,’ the singer said.