Coleen Rooney is heading into the I’m A Celebrity jungle in what is said to be the biggest signing in the show’s 22-year history. 

The ‘anxious’ WAG, 38, revealed before she flew out to Australia now is ‘finally the right time’ to take part in the reality show, after numerous years of turning it down because her four sons were too young. 

Devoted mum Coleen, who has reportedly negotiated a £1.5million deal to take part, admitted it has taken months of meticulous planning to leave Kai, 13, Klay, 10, Kit, seven, and Cᴀss, five, for four weeks.  

Before her stint, which starts on November 17th, the matriarch has shared an insight into how the Rooney household will run without her. 

Here we take a look at the mother-of-four’s extensive five point parenting plan… 

Coleen Rooney is heading into the I’m A Celebrity jungle in what is said to be the biggest signing in the show’s 22-year history

Coleen shares her children, Kai, 13, Klay, 10, Kit, seven, and Cᴀss, five, with her husband and former professional footballer Wayne Rooney

1. Handwritten letters and kangaroo toys to remember her

Coleen revealed to fans she had handwritten her four boys and husband of 16 years Wayne, 39, a letter each to open once she had left their £20million Cheshire home

Read More I’m A Celeb’s Coleen Rooney reveals preparation she has done for people looking after her kids

Coleen revealed to fans she had handwritten her four boys and husband of 16 years Wayne, 39, a letter each to open once she had left their £20million Cheshire home. 

In a nod to her trip to Australia, the thoughtful mother-of-four bought her boys a plush kangaroo soft toy cuddling a joey.  

Coleen said: ‘I wrote them all a little card each when they get home from school tomorrow and a little teddy each so they know I am constantly thinking of them.’

Speaking about being in the midst of the school term time, Coleen told Fearne Cotton on the Happy Place podcast how life at the Rooney household is ‘manic’.

She said: ‘In the summer it is quite nice to have some time to switch off and just go with the flow. 

‘There is no routine to follow. There is no homework to be in the next day but when school starts, I do love a routine but everything just piles on top of each other.

‘I’ve got one who has just gone into Year 7, secondary school, and he’s trying to cope with the homework load because there has been a big jump and then we have after school activities as well.

‘I had to ask my family in the WhatsApp group about my eight-year-old’s maths homework last night. We did figure it out in the end, we told him: “tell your teacher you had help from your family”.’ 

2. Wayne’s managerial duties 

Coleen said she ‘does a lot on my own’ due to Wayne’s busy football schedule and has had to plan childcare for her stint in the jungle (pictured earlier this week) 

The WAG’s mother Colette and dad Tony (pictured) will help out with the children 

Coleen said she ‘does a lot on my own’ due to Wayne’s busy football schedule and has had to plan childcare for her stint in the jungle.

The former player is the manager of EFL Championship club Plymouth Argyle, meaning he has to spend time away from the family home. 

Before he left for Plymouth, Wayne wished Coleen ‘good luck’ while she headed to the airport to fly to Australia.  

Wayne’s team have matches on November 22, 26 and 30 as well as December 7, 10, and 14, meaning the couple will rely on their ‘army’ of friends and family to help look after their sons. 

Speaking about the struggles of parenting in a long distance relationship, she said: ‘I can look at the diary at the beginning of the week and think: “how am I going to cope with this?” but I know I’m going to do it. 

‘I think I am fair parent, Wayne is a bit more laidback and can have a bit more fun with them. 

‘But I think that’s because when you’re home you’ve got the time to, you’re not organising things for the next day. I find the gym a couple of days a week is my time.

‘I’ve always made time for me and Wayne to go away and just have time together and I do it with the kids as well.’  

3. Army of people 

Coleen has got an ‘army’ of family, friends, school friends all helping out with childcare 

Coleen has got an ‘army’ of family, friends, school friends all helping out with childcare. 

The mother-of-four doesn’t have a nanny and her mother Colette, father Tony and Wayne’s cousin Claire will look after her boys while gone. 

‘I’ve got a really close family who are supportive and because Wayne spends a lot of time away with football, my parents have literally brought up my kids with me,’ she said.

The WAG is also on four different WhatsApp groups with parents from each of her son’s class as well as various football WhatsApp groups. 

She said: ‘We’ve got a lot of groups going on, it’s hectic. There’s pros and cons. I am an organised person and I try to have everything written down in my diary but we are human and do miss things and someone will pop on the parent’s WhatsApp saying ‘it’s non uniform day’ little things they are handy. 

‘There was one time for three days and my phone was going off at 5am and I just had to say “can we have a rule where you don’t message before 6.30am” and that was being generous. She said “sorry I’m just working in Dubai at the minute”. ‘ 

The groups will no doubt come in handy for those looking after her boys when she is in the jungle.  

4. Whiteboard 

Coleen shared the vast list of instructions she has left behind to those looking after her children 

Coleen revealed all the boys’ timetables were on the board, including football sessions (Kai pictured playing) 

Coleen shared the vast list of instructions she has left behind to those looking after her children. 

The mother-of-four had written on two whiteboards notes for each of her boys in different pens.  

She said: ‘I’ve prepped as you can see, behind me, that is literally front and back four weeks of timetables, football runs, parties and everything.’ 

Speaking about the differences in her sons to Fearne, Coleen said Kai and Kit are more ‘fiery and energetic’, while Klay and Cᴀss are ‘more laidback’. 

She said: ‘It’s nice because they have all got different ways and give me different love. It’s a good balance. They fight all the time. They wind each other up and it goes in a domino effect and it’s mayhem.’ 

Of living in a busy household, she said: ‘I enjoy it, it’s what I thrive off. I like to keep busy. Our house was very active growing up. I think, for me, it’s natural it’s a mad house.  

‘I’m the stricter one, I like things in order.’ 

5. Separation

Coleen has revealed since her eldest son Kai was little she would have a week long holiday with just husband Wayne so they are used to being without her (pictured arriving in Australia) 

The full I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! lineup was officially unveiled by ITV ahead of the launch on November 17 

Coleen wore a personalised gold necklace of her sons’ names so she can keep them close to her heart during her jungle stint

Coleen has revealed since her eldest son Kai was little she would have a week long holiday with just husband Wayne so they are used to being without her. 

She said: ‘They’ve always known that, it’s not been a shock to them later on when we’ve said: “right, we need to have some time to ourselves”. I think that’s a good thing. A lot of parents and children get so attached that parting, they can’t deal with. 

‘I have done it from the beginning and it’s not been a difficult for us. As soon as we land it’s mayhem again and nice to take yourself away from it.’ 

However of her stint in the jungle, she said on her Instagram video, while wearing a personalised gold necklace of her sons’ names:  ‘I am really anxious about leaving the kids, that’s my biggest thing, for weeks and months that’s been on my mind.

‘But I’ve come to terms with it and I’ve planned and prepped, I’ve got an army of people – family and friends – school friends all helping out with the kids. They are going to be fine, they’ll probably have a great time.’ 

But the reunion could come sooner than expected as they are likely to greet her as she crosses the bridge when she leaves the camp.

Appearing on the ITV flagship show is such a momentous occasion for Coleen and it’s not likely her mother, whom she is extremely close with, will miss it and will no doubt take the boys.

ITV insiders are anticipating the family jetting out in the coming weeks to support Coleen as she spends up to three weeks in the Australian jungle.

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 тιтles 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.