Coronation Street legend Craig Charles signs up for I'm A Celebrity in epic TV comeback

A well-known Coronation Street actor is gearing up for a second chance in the I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! jungle after a devastating exit nearly a decade ago.

Craig Charles, 61, who first appeared on the hit ITV show in 2014, had to leave after just four days when he received the tragic news that his brother Dean had suffered a fatal heart attack.

Now, he is returning for the All Stars edition, currently filming in South Africa. The move marks a historic moment for the show, as it is reportedly the first time a former contestant who had to leave due to such personal circumstances has been invited back.

A TV insider said: "So many viewers were willing for Craig to win when he appeared on the show the first time and he stood a good chance of being crowned King of the Jungle.

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"But he was robbed of the experience by the family tragedy, although his campmates and the production team all understood why he wanted to leave and head home to be with his loved ones.

"So ITV has given him another go, and it’s a move which has never been done on the show before - bringing someone back who had to leave due to such circumstances.”

The actor first became a household name as Dave Lister in the iconic BBC sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, a role that earned him widespread acclaim.

He later played cabbie Lloyd Mullaney on Coronation Street from 2005 to 2015, becoming a familiar face to soap fans. Today, he hosts a show on BBC Radio 6 Music, where a stand-in presenter has taken over while he films in South Africa.

This All Stars edition promises to be a reunion in more ways than one. Gemma Collins, who also quit abruptly in 2014, is returning, setting the stage for some familiar faces and unfinished business to unfold on screen.

Ant and Dec are back to host, guiding viewers through the jungle challenges and camp drama as always.

The series, set to air last this year, will offer fans a chance to see these former contestants tackle the challenges they had to leave behind years ago, with the added pressure of a high-profile All Stars cast.

An ITV spokesperson added: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity South Africa are speculation,” keeping the official lineup under wraps for now, but insiders confirm that the returning stars are already generating buzz.

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