Wayne Rooney is heading into the jungle with the biggest reported fee in this year’s cast, but the real talking point in entertainment news Ireland is that his cheque still trails well behind wife Coleen Rooney’s headline-making payday. The former football star may be one of the biggest names on the line-up, yet the comparison with Coleen’s earlier deal has already set social media buzzing ahead of the new season.
According to reports, Wayne is set to earn around £800,000 for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, placing him at the top of this year’s pay scale. Even so, that figure is notably lower than the £1.5 million Coleen reportedly secured for her own jungle appearance in 2024, a fee that put her among the highest-paid contestants in the show’s history.
Why Wayne Rooney’s Fee Is Making Headlines in entertainment news Ireland
In Irish entertainment news, salary reveals around major reality TV bookings always spark interest, especially when a famous couple is involved. Wayne’s reported deal is still a major six-figure signing, but the gap between his earnings and Coleen’s has added an extra layer of intrigue to the show’s return.
One reported insider claim suggests ITV was willing to pay heavily to secure Wayne because of his profile, sporting legacy and crossover appeal. That makes sense in the wider world of TV news Ireland, where star power remains one of the biggest drivers of ratings, press coverage and audience curiosity.
How His Pay Compares With Other Campmates
While Wayne may be earning less than Coleen did, he is still said to be comfortably ahead of his fellow contestants. Reports indicate that Ricky Wilson is among the next highest earners, with a much lower figure attached to his appearance.
- Wayne Rooney reportedly leads the cast in earnings
- Coleen Rooney’s earlier deal remains significantly higher
- Other celebrity campmates are believed to be on smaller fees
- The pay gap has become an early storyline before launch night
A Familiar Formula for Reality TV and celebrity news Ireland
This is exactly the kind of detail that keeps celebrity news Ireland and reality TV audiences engaged before the first trial even airs. Big fees create instant conversation, particularly when the star in question arrives with a built-in public story. In Wayne’s case, that includes his football career, his family profile and the inevitable comparisons with Coleen’s hugely discussed stint.
For viewers following the latest entertainment news Ireland, the fee reveal also underlines how valuable established names remain in an increasingly crowded TV and streaming Ireland landscape. In an era dominated by streaming news Ireland and on-demand viewing, live event television still leans on recognisable personalities to cut through.
When the New Series Starts
The new season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! is set to begin on Monday, 16 November at 9pm, airing on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media Play. That launch is likely to be closely watched by fans of Irish TV news, as audiences look to see whether Wayne’s star billing turns into must-watch television.
Early cast chatter has already helped the programme land a strong place in entertainment updates Ireland, with viewers eager to see how the mix of personalities performs once jungle life begins.
The Bottom Line
For now, the biggest takeaway in entertainment news Ireland is simple: Wayne Rooney may have landed the top reported fee of this year’s jungle cast, but Coleen Rooney still holds the bragging rights when it comes to the family’s I’m A Celeb earnings. As launch night approaches, that comparison is only adding to the hype and keeping the show firmly in the centre of Irish entertainment news.
