A TYPICAL workday of speaking to millions of viewers, a talented triathlete and runner-up in Celebrity MasterChef, Louise Minchin seems well-placed for this year’s I’m a Celebrity.
The former BBC Breakfast presenter of 20 years is looking forward to the secluded Gwyrch Castle camp and believes it will offer the chance to switch off from the outside world after leaving the flagship morning news programme in September.
“I’ve spent the last 20 years immersed in news every single day,” the 53-year-old said. “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 is a difficult thing to let go of, but I’m also actually looking forward to it.
“Going on I’m A Celebrity is a big adventure. 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.”
No stranger to the pressure of tele, Louise, who lives in Cheshire, is also familiar with North Wales, having spent time in Snowdonia where she suffered a serious foot injury while training for the extreme Norseman triathlon in the summer of 2019, which required an operation.
This year's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! camp mates.
"I’ve 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!"
While Louise has key strengths that could prove important to survive in the Abergele camp, she does have some weak points.
"I can’t get in a lift with too many people in and I would rather walk up the stairs than get in the lift”, she said. “My family are very worried I will scream a lot and make a terrible fuss.”
She has watched former presenting partner Dan Walker on Strictly Come Dancing in recent weeks. On Sunday, he avoided the dance off after winning the public vote and a place in Musicals Week, success that Louise will be hoping to replicate.
Her workmates in Bushtucker Trials over the coming weeks include Coronation Street star Danny Miller, former footballer David Ginola, The Saturdays’ Frankie Bridge and Radio 1Xtra DJ Snoochie Shy.
“I didn’t tell Dan I was doing I’m A Celebrity before coming to Wales, but I don’t think he will be surprised,” Louise said.
“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.”
I’m a Celebrity takes place on ITV at 9pm each night.
Follow the latest updates with the Rhyl Journal and North Wales Pioneer.
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