Maura Higgins set for awkward I'm A Celeb run in with hunky ex's famous father after he's unveiled...

Maura Higgins is about to face an uncomfortable encounter with the well-known father of her ex on this season of I'm A Celeb, as the official cast for the show was announced on Friday.

The 33-year-old reality TV star from Love Island will head into the jungle with boxing icon Barry McGuigan, who is 63. This comes six years after she was in a relationship with his attractive son, Shane, who is 36.

Maura might be surprised to learn that Barry was announced as a last-minute substitute for former footballer Ally McCoist, 62, who has pulled out for the third time, as reported by The Mirror.

The beauty was in a relationship with boxing coach Shane back in 2018, just a year before she gained recognition on Love Island. At that time, she was working as a ring girl while he was providing commentary for a boxing match.

An insider shared with The Sun back then: "Maura is both intelligent and attractive, and she grabbed Shane's attention right away."

Maura Higgins, 33, is in for an uncomfortable encounter with the well-known dad of her ex on this season of I'm A Celebrity, as the official cast was announced on Friday.

The 33-year-old Love Island contestant will be in the jungle alongside boxing icon Barry McGuigan, who is 63. This comes six years after she was in a relationship with his attractive son, Shane, who is 36 (shown in the picture).

Maura might be surprised to learn that Barry has stepped in at the last minute to take the place of former footballer Ally McCoist, who is 62 years old and is said to have pulled out for the third time.

They went out on a couple of dates and had a great time, but with Maura living in Ireland and Shane busy managing his thriving boxing gym in London, plus her traveling for work, it was challenging to make things work.

There were no bad emotions when it came to an end. It turned out to be brief, and the excitement faded away.

Barry and his wife Sandra have a son named Shane, along with two other sons, Blane, who is 40, and Jake, who is 36. Their daughter Danika, an actress, sadly passed away from colon cancer at the age of 33 in 2019.

Following news of Barry taking over Ally McCoist's spot in the team, a source mentioned to The Mirror: "Barry is a true sports icon and he's an excellent choice for leading the way into the jungle. When he gained recognition in the 1980s as the WBA featherweight boxing champion, he emerged as a unifying figure."

He fought for both Ireland and Great Britain, earning admiration and affection from people on both sides of the conflict. Very few can claim a similar distinction.

MailOnline has reached out to Ally McCoist's spokesperson and ITV for their response.

After months of rumors, Coleen Rooney and Strictly champion Oti Mabuse are set to travel to Australia for the upcoming series later this month, joined by veteran soap actor Alan Halsall.

Completing the group are Jane Moore from Loose Women, DJ Dean McCullough, Tulisa, radio host Melvin Odoom, Reverend Richard Coles, and podcast host GK Barry.

The beautiful model was in a relationship with boxing coach Shane in 2018, just a year before she rose to fame on Love Island. At that time, she was working as a ring girl, while he was providing commentary for a boxing match.

In the past few months, there have been reports connecting her to Pete Wicks, who is known for his appearances on TOWIE and Strictly.

According to a source back then, "Maura is smart and attractive, and it didn’t take long for Shane to notice her." (Shane is shown in the picture.)

Following news that Barry has taken Ally McCoistin's place in the lineup, a source commented, "Barry is a true sports legend and he’s an excellent choice to lead the way into the jungle."

Without any luxuries or modern comforts, celebrities will have to undergo a series of Bushtucker Trials to earn food for their camp, with only one emerging as the King or Queen of the Jungle.

MailOnline examines the celebrities rumored to be heading to Australia for the upcoming season of I'm A Celebrity, which kicks off on November 17th.

Coleen reportedly has wanted to be part of the show for several years, but it was only recently that she felt ready to leave her family behind in the UK.

According to reports, she has received an offer that is the largest in the show's history, surpassing Nigel Farage's £1.5 million deal from last year.

Coleen Rooney has reportedly had a strong desire to be part of the show for several years, but it was only recently that she felt ready to leave her family in the UK.

According to reports, she has received the largest deal ever in the show's history, surpassing Nigel Farage's £1.5 million contract from last year (shown here with her husband Wayne).

Many believe she is seeking the perfect payback by joining the show, especially since her longtime competitor, Rebekah Vardy, was eliminated early in the 2017 season.

Rebekah doesn’t seem interested in watching Coleen's appearance on I'm A Celebrity, unless it involves her taking on a particularly gross Bushtucker Trial.

It's reported that she has expressed she’s not very keen on watching Coleen, but would definitely watch if she knew there would be some disgusting food involved.

A source shared with The Sun, "Coleen spent a lot of time in the trial insisting that she values her privacy, yet now she's appearing on one of the most popular TV shows."

Even though Rebekah might not watch the show regularly, her legal team is reported to be closely monitoring any comments that might come up.

Fans are eagerly hoping that Coleen will share all the details about the Wagatha Christie saga on the reality show. However, it's been said that she is being very cautious.

Following the widely publicized trial, Mrs Justice Steyn made a decision in July 2022 that favored Coleen, concluding that the contents of the post were largely accurate.

Recent reports indicate that Danny is getting ready to fly to Australia next weekend in anticipation of the launch set for later in November.

The Voice concluded last week, perfectly timed with Danny's upcoming appearance in the jungle later this year (as seen in a photo from last month).

Danny might be on track to replicate the success of McFly drummer Dougie Poynter, who was named King Of The Jungle in 2011. Meanwhile, Tom's wife, Giovanna Fletcher, earned the title of Queen Of The Jungle in 2020.

Recent reports indicate that Danny is getting ready to fly to Australia next weekend in anticipation of the upcoming launch scheduled for November.

An insider informed MailOnline: "Danny is already extremely popular and quite charming - female audiences are sure to be drawn to him."

The Voice finished up last week, right before Danny's upcoming stint in the jungle later this year.

Mentors Danny and Tom guided Ava Mannings all the way to the final, where she was named the champion of The Voice 2024.

Boxing icon Barry is preparing to travel to Australia following requests from the show's hosts, Ant and Dec, urging him to join.

Boxing superstar Barry is preparing to travel to Australia, following requests from the hosts, Ant and Dec, for him to join the show.

According to The Mirror, the promoter stepped in at the last minute to take Ally McCoist's place after he withdrew from the event.

According to an insider, Barry is a true sports icon and a fantastic choice to lead the expedition into the jungle. He gained recognition in the 1980s when he was the WBA featherweight boxing champion and became a unifying figure, promoting inclusivity.

He defended both Ireland and Great Britain, earning admiration and affection from people on both sides of the conflict. Not many can claim such a unique position.

Barry held significant featherweight championships between 1983 and 1986 and was honored as the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in 1985.

In 2017, he jokingly teased his friend Amir Khan, calling him 'embarrassing' for fleeing from a snake while participating in his own jungle adventure.

He commented back then, "He struggled a bit during the initial task, but he redeemed himself last night."

Coronation Street star Alan Halsall had to pull out of I'm A Celebrity last year due to undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery.

The producers have successfully persuaded the actor to return, and it’s clear that he will attract a significant audience due to his enduring character, Tyrone Dobbs, on the soap opera.

Alan Halsall, known for his role in Coronation Street, had to pull out of I'm A Celebrity last year due to undergoing surgery for an ACL reconstruction.

The producers have successfully persuaded the actor to return, and he is sure to attract a large following due to his lengthy portrayal of Tyrone Dobbs on the soap opera.

A source shared with The Sun: "Tyrone is one of the most popular characters on Coronation Street, so Alan has a built-in audience of fans."

Occasionally, actors famous for their memorable roles in soap operas may not make the same impact when they participate in reality shows. A recent instance of this is Adam Woodyatt.

"However, Alan is a fantastic guy with a vibrant personality, so ITV is thrilled that he's agreed to join them once more."

Earlier reports indicated that the producers of I'm A Celebrity were interested in bringing in Maura Higgins after boxer Tommy Fury dropped out unexpectedly.

It was earlier announced that the producers of I'm A Celebrity were interested in bringing in Maura after boxer Tommy Fury canceled at the last moment.

ITV was now considering Molly-Mae's close friend Maura, who is 33, as a replacement in the jungle, with producers reportedly hoping that the Irish star would reveal some secrets about her friend.

According to a source who spoke to The Sun, Tommy Fury's withdrawal opened the door for the show's producers to consider other contestants from Love Island, and Maura emerged as an ideal choice.

She'll add a touch of elegance to the jungle and will be an amazing campmate, thanks to her fantastic sense of humor. It's likely that she'll get along well with everyone.

This year is looking promising for the women participating in I'm A Celebrity.

With Tommy no longer in the competition, it was suggested that this opened the door for Maura to join the show, as it prevented having two contestants from the 2019 season of the popular dating series in the jungle.

According to reports, the executives are extremely pleased that Oti Mabuse has been added to the lineup for I'm A Celebrity, especially following her departure from Strictly Come Dancing in 2022.

In September, it was initially shared that Oti was in discussions with the producers of I'm A Celebrity, after welcoming her daughter into the world last year.

Oti and her husband Marius Lepure, who is 41, announced that they welcomed their child in November. Unfortunately, their baby was born early and faced an infection, requiring a six-week stay in intensive care.

A source revealed to the magazine: "Oti is an excellent choice for I'm A Celebrity. She’s incredibly popular and has a strong following among the ITV viewers, so the producers are thrilled at the possibility of her joining the camp this year."

She is widely recognized as a key member of the ITV star lineup and is known for bringing a lot of fun wherever she goes.

Oti surprised her fans when she revealed that she would be stepping away from Strictly as a two-time champion after spending seven years on the show in 2022.

Oti clinched the Glitterball trophy for two years in a row, partnering with Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher and comedian Bill Bailey. This has led many to speculate that the South African dancer might be on the verge of achieving an impressive third victory.

In an episode of the All Change podcast last year, Oti shared that the demands of working with celebrity contestants and the stress she imposed on herself became overwhelming. She reached out to her husband for support during that challenging time.

She explained, "Fortunately, my husband has been incredibly supportive. He has witnessed my struggles during tough times, including moments when I break down in the shower fully dressed because everything feels so difficult and overwhelming. He has also seen me handle people with 'unique personalities.'"

After reviving her career by getting back together with N-Dubz last year, singer Tulisa caught the attention of the producers of I'm A Celebrity, who had reached out to her multiple times in the past to participate in the show.

Following the revival of her music career with N-Dubz last year, singer Tulisa has been sought after by the producers of I'm A Celebrity to join the show, having been invited multiple times in the past.

According to a source who spoke to The Sun, Tulisa is looking to restart her television career after discovering a fresh fanbase during N-Dubz's reunion tour. This comes ten years after she stepped down from her role as a judge on The X Factor.

A source revealed, "It’s been ten years since she stepped away from The X Factor, so she believes now is the perfect moment to come back into the television limelight. The fantastic response to the N-Dubz reunion tour also played a significant role in boosting her confidence."

It's important for ITV that her diverse career will resonate with the broad audience of I'm a Celebrity.

In addition to being widely recognized for her time on The X Factor, her fanbase for original music has surged due to the N-Dubz reunion tour.

Television executives are especially thrilled about the influx of young fans aged 16 to 24 who have found Tulisa and the band on TikTok. There’s a collective hope that the agreement will be finalized soon.

Radio DJ Melvin Odoom was approached by the producers of I'm A Celeb back in 2021, but he decided to refuse their invitation just before the deadline. Now, it seems likely that he may be joining the show this year.

Radio DJ Melvin was approached by the producers of I'm A Celeb in 2021, but he ultimately declined the invitation just before it was finalized.

It has now been announced that he will be participating this year after previously appearing in a prime-time slot on Strictly in 2016.

Melvin has mentioned in the past that he enjoys watching I'm A Celebrity, describing it as a fantastic program.

I find it really interesting, but I doubt I could handle being in the jungle. I’d be way too frightened.

Widely recognized by countless fans as a frequent panelist on Loose Women, Jane is preparing to carve her own path, just like her fellow cast members from the show.

Widely recognized by millions as a frequent panelist on Loose Women, Jane is ready to take a journey similar to that of her fellow Loose Women cast members, including former Jungle Queen Stacey Solomon, Charlene White, and Olivia Attwood.

Jane embraces the challenge after her well-publicized breakup with her husband of two decades, Showbiz agent Gary Farrow.

The journalist and Gary co-parented her daughters, Ellie and Grace, from her previous relationship. She is also a stepmother to his older daughter, Lauren.

In December 2022, Jane shared on the live show Loose Women that she and her showbiz agent, Gary, had chosen to go their separate ways. However, they still considered each other 'best friends,' and she had been looking after him after he sustained a leg injury.

An insider shared with MailOnline that Jane is currently in a phase of her life where she aims to take on new challenges, and participating in I'm A Celeb will really test her abilities.

A source from a television network shared, "Jane is genuinely looking forward to the challenge of I'm A Celebrity."

She has been apart from Gary for two years now, and it's time for her to establish a new objective and truly discover her potential.

The past few years have brought significant changes for Jane, and she’s excited about the opportunity to take on a new challenge with the show, even though it’s far from her usual experiences.

As a journalist, she enjoys being around others and is looking forward to meeting new friends at the camp. She’s also eager to share stories from her fascinating life with anyone who wants to listen.

A representative from ITV stated, "Any names mentioned in connection with I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! are purely speculative."

Jane acknowledged that she and Gary, who had worked with clients like Elton John, had divorced two years prior, but they parted on good terms.

Radio 1 DJ Dean has joined the cast of I'm A Celeb, with the expectation that his bold opinions will stir up some drama.

Radio 1 DJ Dean has been recruited by the producers of I'm A Celebrity, aiming to stir up some controversy with his candid opinions.

According to a source, "Dean is not the type to hold back and is likely to speak his mind. Additionally, he's among the youngest contestants confirmed for the show so far."

At the beginning of this year, it was revealed that Dean would be stepping into the role of host for the BBC Radio 1 Early Breakfast Show, having previously been the presenter for the afternoon program.

When talking about his new position, Dean expressed his enthusiasm by saying, “I’m thrilled to step into this role after the incredible Arielle Free.”

The Early Breakfast team at Radio 1 truly excels at listening. I'm really looking forward to diving in and energizing the country each morning.

Another BBC Radio presenter joining Dean in the jungle is Reverend Richard Coles. There's hope from insiders that he won’t hesitate to criticize his previous employer.

Another BBC Radio presenter who will be joining Dean in the jungle is Reverend Richard Coles. Sources are optimistic that he will be candid about his experiences with his previous employer.

An insider shared, "Rev Coles has plenty of stories to share, from his adventurous time as a pop star in the 1980s, to his appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, and his journey as a clergyman."

The former Strictly contestant and ex-member of the pop band The Communards has been outspoken about his discontent with the BBC in the past. Last year, he expressed that the organization struggles to distinguish between what's important and what's not.

Richard used to be the host of Radio 4's Saturday Live program, but he stepped down last year after spending over ten years with the station.

The actor expressed that he was disappointed with how his departure was managed. He previously shared with The Guardian, “After being on a show for 12 years, it would have been preferable to have a more considerate approach to leaving. But it is what it is.”

It seems a bit hurried. I've found it frustrating to have to wait for the announcement, especially since my final show is this Saturday. I would have preferred a more extended farewell to my listeners.

"It's a bit upsetting to leave. I've really enjoyed the program and the wonderful colleagues I've had the pleasure of working with—it's been such an important part of my life. I'll definitely miss it."

In August, it was initially announced that podcaster and social media influencer GK Barry was in serious discussions to become a part of the I'm A Celebrity cast.

In August, reports emerged indicating that podcast host and social media influencer GK Barry was in the final stages of discussions to become part of the I'm A Celebrity cast.

Earlier reports indicated that GK was supposed to join the newest season of Strictly Come Dancing, but they decided to decline an opportunity to participate in the controversial program.

According to a source, "GK is very well-liked among younger people and possesses a clever and quick sense of humor, making him a great fit for conversations around the campfire with other celebrities."

Producers believe she brings a lot of enthusiasm and is very engaging.

She has millions of followers on social media, which is currently a major priority for ITV. Grace is smart and recognizes that this is an excellent chance for her to increase her visibility and become a more recognizable figure.

This follows Grace finally addressing the rumors about a supposed conflict with her Loose Women colleague, Frankie Bridge. She shared her thoughts on transitioning into the television industry.

Last month, viewers of Loose Women claimed that Frankie from The Saturdays seemed to have an issue with guest panellist Grace after Grace suggested that Frankie had given her a 'backhanded compliment.'

The influencer has now disclosed that they were joking about the rumors and that the singer treated her very nicely throughout her time on the show.