MCFLY singer Danny Jones couldn’t hide his excitement as he was pictured arriving at London’s Heathrow Airport ahead of his I’m A Celebrity stint.
The pop-rocker beamed in a black hoodie and dark trousers as he walked beside an airline staff member pushing his guitar on a trolley.
He bumped into Joel Dommett, Capital’s Kemi Rodgers and Sam Thompson, who are also jetting Down Under to host the jungle’s spin-off show.
The trio were in fine spirits in their comfy wear ahead of the long haul flight, waving and making peace signs at the cameras after checking in their luggage.
Danny, who is a judge on The Voice and has a huge arena tour lined up with McFly and Busted next year, was snapped chatting away and smiling.
The 38-year-old might not be so happy when he arrives in camp and is faced with all manner of creepy crawlies though.
And his past issues with anxiety may prove a stumbling block when it comes to tackling the infamous Bushtucker Trials.
Speaking previously to The Bolton News, the musician explained: “I experienced claustrophobia, coming out in cold sweats, feeling a band tightening around my chest and worrying I was having a heart attack.
“It’s so scary and I’ve felt like I was dying on occasions. You can’t believe your body can do that to you. I was also plagued with dark thoughts I couldn’t control.”
As I’m A Celeb viewers know, feeling claustrophobic comes with the territory on many trials.
Some challenges have seen celebrities enclosed in tight spaces, usually covered in nasties, in a bid to win much-needed food for the camp.
We revealed how Danny was drafted into I’m A Celeb as a late replacement for Tommy Fury.
It means he’s now following in the footsteps of bandmate Dougie Poynter and his other bandmate Tom Fletcher‘s wife Giovanna – who have both previously won the show.
A jungle insider said: “As well as bringing some of the star appeal of the group with him, he’ll be supplying some serious guy candy for the campmates and viewers at home.
“All the McFly guys are gym fanatics and Danny in particular has a great physique – which he’s bound to show off in the jungle.
“He’ll be keeping up with the proud tradition of I’m A Celebrity hunks who’ve been on the show over the years including Owen Warner and Joel Dommett.
“And he’ll fill the jungle hunk gap left by Tommy Fury after he declined the opportunity earlier this month.”
What actually is anxiety?
Anxiety is what we feel when we are worried, tense or afraid.
It is a natural human response when we feel under threat, and most people experience it at times.
Anxiety becomes a mental health problem if it impacts your ability to live your life as fully as you want to. For example:
- If your feelings of anxiety are very strong or last a long time
- Your fears or worries are out of proportion to the situation
- You avoid situations that might cause you to feel anxious
- Your worries feel very distressing or are hard to control
- You find it hard to go about your everyday life
- You regularly experience symptoms of anxiety
There are dozens of symptoms of anxiety that can affect the body and the mind.
This can be everything from a churning feeling in your stomach to sleeping problems to feeling like the world is speeding up or slowing down.
Around one in 10 people in the UK have anxiety at any one time.
There are various treatments available, including self-help resources, talking therapies, and medication.
If you struggling with anxiety, speak to your GP or call Mind’s infoline on 0300 123 3393.
Source: Mind
No stranger to ITV reality shows, Danny also won series five of The Masked Singer, disguised as “Piranha”.
Other names taking part in this year’s I’m A Celeb include Coleen Rooney, GK Barry and Coronation Street star Alan Halsall.
Wag Coleen is said to be earning £1.5m for her time in the jungle and is also getting a pass when it comes to certain trials.
The 38-year-old wife of former England striker Wayne has painful reactive arthritis, which affects the joints and is set off by stress.
It means she may be exempt from some challenges in the upcoming series.
A source said: “Execs want to keep her happy and healthy.”