Loose Women’s Jane Moore shares the poignant reason she finally decided to say yes to I’m A Celebrity – and reveals her TWO big phobias

Loose Women‘s Jane Moore has revealed the poignant reason why she finally decided to say yes to going on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

The journalist, 62, is joining the likes of Coleen Rooney, Tulisa, Melvin Odoom and Maura Higgins in the Australian jungle as the new ITV series kicks off on Sunday.

Jane has reflected on why she feels now is the right time – two years on from her divorce from Gary Farrow and after her three daughters Ellie, Grace, and Lauren have flown the nest.

Having been offered the chance to go on the show years ago she is now ready for an adventure. 

She told The Sun in a new interview on Monday: ‘Not long after my 60th birthday in 2022, I got divorced and found myself living alone in what had once been the family home full of perpetual noise, school runs, kids coming and going with their mates, and a dog that needed walking.

The journalist, 62, is joining the likes of Coleen Rooney, Tulisa, Melvin Odoom and Maura Higgins in the Australian jungle as the new ITV series kicks off on Sunday night

‘It meant that for the first time in decades, I was rattling around an empty house with lots of ‘me time’ and the opportunity to really contemplate what I want from the final third of my life. And the answer is, ‘adventure’.

‘Certain close friends have died too young, so I consider myself very lucky to still be here with, touch wood, no serious ailments, and I want to make the most of the active years I have left.’

She poignantly added that her elderly mother is living with dementia and is in need of 24/7 care which has made her realise that life is short. 

Speaking to ITV ahead of flying to Australia she said of her phobias: ‘I’m not sure how I will feel when faced with Australian creepy crawlies, as they are so much bigger and I’m not fond of cold water either – so any of the water Trials I would not really want to do!’

As a regular panellist on Loose Women, Jane is never afraid to express her strong views – and she is hoping to bring a lively debate to the I’m A Celebrity camp.

Admitting she loves finding out about people’s lives, Jane promised she will be asking plenty of questions in an ‘organic way’ during her time in the jungle, just as she does on the hit ITV1 daytime series.

‘I will fill the hours with good chat,’ explained Jane. 

‘I find people really interesting and I want to have organic conversations. I won’t be like, ‘Tell me about the time…’ but I will be asking questions just because I am interested. I hope they (my fellow campmates) don’t get offended!’

Jane has reflected on why she feels now is the right time – two years on from her divorce from Gary Farrow (seen) and after her three daughters Ellie, Grace, and Lauren have flown the nest

She told The Sun in a new interview on Monday: ‘Not long after my 60th birthday in 2022, I got divorced and found myself living alone I had lots of time to contemplate what I want from the final third of my life. And the answer is, ‘adventure”

Describing herself as an ‘organised person’, she also admitted she is trying to look at the famous Bushtucker Trials in a logical manner.

‘I like to think of myself as a gutsy person but this remains to be seen,’ she mused.

‘I’m sure a lot of people think that before they face those Trials and then courage goes out the window! 

‘I’m not sure how I will feel either when I am faced with an Australian creepy crawly that looks like a tarantula rather than a house spider. 

‘The eating Trials, again I know it’s not going to harm me but retching is an involuntary reaction and my body might have other ideas.’

Determined to try her best in the Trials, Jane is, however, predicting her newspaper colleagues will be voting for her to do as many as possible. 

‘They will think it’s hilarious when they find out,’ explained the TV star. ‘They will vote for me to do the worst kind of Trials.’

Asked about her role in camp and she thinks it will be very much centred around her maternal instincts as a mum herself. 

Speaking to ITV ahead of flying to Australia she said of her phobias: ‘I’m not sure how I will feel when faced with Australian creepy crawlies and I’m not fond of cold water either’

‘I have been on this planet a long time and I will be the person who will try to help them out,’ she admitted. 

‘My two daughters are really up for me doing it and my youngest one keeps telling me: ‘Mum, it is going to be amazing’. If there is someone young in there struggling, I know it will appeal to my maternal side.

‘But cooking you will not find me putting myself forward for. I am not a good cook, I am rubbish. I know the food is going to taste pretty insipid too.’

I’m A Celebrity begins at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. 

I’M A CELEBRITY 2024: MEET THE ALL STAR LINE UP

OTI MABUSE  

Oti Mabuse has already two Strictly glitterballs under her belt

AGE: 34

OCCUPATION: Professional dancer

FAMOUS FOR: Oti is best known for being a professional dancer on the British television series Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2019 and 2020. 

DANNY JONES 

Danny Jones is one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s I’m A Celeb

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: McFly singer

FAMOUS FOR:  Danny is one of the lead vocalists and the lead guitarist for pop-rock band McFly. 

He is also a coach on The Voice UK. 

BARRY MCGUIGAN 

Former boxer Barry McGuigan is heading into the jungle

AGE: 63

OCCUPATION: Retired professional boxer

FAMOUS FOR:  Barry was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986. 

GK BARRY

GK Barry is a TikTok star who recently joined the ITV family on Loose Women

AGE: 25

OCCUPATION: TikTok star 

FAMOUS FOR: Grace is known for her comedic commentary on culture, lifestyle, and fashion. She has over 3.6 million followers and recently joined the Loose Women panel. 

DEAN MCCULLOUGH 

ITV bosses are hoping Dean McCullough will ruffle feathers in the camp

AGE: 32

OCCUPATION:  Radio 1 DJ 

FAMOUS FOR:  Radio 1 DJ Dean has been signed by I’m A Celeb bosses, in the hope that he will ruffle feathers with his outspoken views. 

Earlier this year it was announced Dean would be taking over the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, after previously fronting the afternoon slot.  

JANE MOORE  

Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Journalist

 FAMOUS FOR:  Jane is best known as a panellist and anchor of Loose Women between 1999 and 2002. 

She returned as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards.

Jane takes on the challenge following her high-profile split from husband of 20 years, Showbiz agent, Gary Farrow. 

MELVIN ODOOM  

Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021

AGE: 44

OCCUPATION: DJ and TV presenter

FAMOUS FOR: His work on radio. Melvin was previously courted by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2021, but turned down the offer at the last minute.

He also had a primetime stint on Strictly back in 2016.

COLEEN ROONEY 

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history

AGE: 38

OCCUPATION: WAG

FAMOUS FOR: Wagatha Christie case against arch rival Rebekah Vardy.

Reports claim that she has been offered the biggest deal in the show’s history, exceeding Nigel Farage’s £1.5million from last year.

ALAN HALSALL  

Alan Halsall is best known for his role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Actor 

FAMOUS FOR: Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall was forced to withdraw from I’m A Celeb last year, after undergoing ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Bosses have now convinced the actor to sign up again, and no doubt he will draw in a huge fanbase thanks to his long-running role as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap. 

TULISA  

Tulisa is making her career comeback after reuniting with N-Dubz last year

AGE: 36

OCCUPATION: Singer and former X Factor judge 

FAMOUS FOR: Tulisa reunited with N-Dubz last year for a tour after first finding fame with the band in 2007.

In 2011, she became a judge on The X Factor and went on to launch her debut solo album, The Female Boss. 

She released her fourth album with N-Dubz last year.