Reverend Richard Coles has revealed he has piled on the pounds thanks to a 5,000 calorie-a-day diet before heading into the I’m a Celebrity jungle.

The former Communards musician, who now practices as a Church of England priest, confirmed that the canny move has helped him to grow ‘fatter’ before he is forced to switch to a diet of beans and rice.

The 62-year-old will surprise the existing contestants when he enters the camp on Thursday night’s I’m A Celeb episode, alongside Love Island beauty Maura Higgins.

When asked if he tried to lose weight in preparation for the show, Rev Richard said: ‘My run-up to the show was going on a cruise.

‘I would like to say that I’ve been lowering my calorie intake to prepare for that, but that’s not worked out.

Reverend Richard Coles has revealed he has piled on the pounds thanks to a 5,000 calorie-a-day diet before heading into the I’m a Celebrity jungle

‘I’ve been on a 5,000 calories a day sort of diet. So I think I’m already fatter since my measurements the day before yesterday, and will be for the next set of measurements.

‘So no, I’ve not done that at all. I tried to, and I thought I should because I imagine the body will notice going from 5000 calories a day to 500 calories a day, but it’s good, and I will lose a bit of weight.’ 

Rev Richard will join the likes of super Wag Coleen Rooney, 39, the former X-Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos, 36, and Barry McGuigan, 32, six days after they entered the camp.

But the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant warned: ‘I am mostly compeтιтive in a quiz, but if there’s a scramble for a buffet… When I was a vicar, they used to make me not go to the buffet because I would elbow old ladies out the way to get to the pork pies.’

The former Communards musician, who now practices as a Church of England priest, confirmed that the canny move has helped him to grow ‘fatter’ before he is forced to switch to a diet of beans and rice

The 62-year-old will surprise the existing contestants when he enters the camp on Thursday night’s I’m A Celeb episode, alongside Love Island beauty Maura Higgins 

When asked if he would bring his religious faith into the Jungle, the vicar admitted he would ‘absolutely need it’ when it came to Bushtucker trials dealing with height – his biggest fear.

He said: ‘I actually froze with fear on the stepladder the other day on the second rung up. So that will be scary. But I know that there will be somebody burly with a harness nearby.’

But added: ‘I’m quite relaxed about that [sharing his faith]. I’m not going to go around singing All the Christian Soldiers.’

His entry comes after the former boxing champion, Barry McGuigan, revealed he had been spoken to by producers about political correctness and what to say and what not to say while in there for three weeks.

Rev Richard shared his fears about making a controversial statement and said: ‘That’s the thing because I’ve never done it before, I mean, I’ve done reality stuff before, but I’ve never done it where you are four weeks under constant scrutiny, and I imagine after a while it’d be easy just to forget yourself, but I imagine there are teams of lawyers.

‘I’ve been on a 5,000 calories a day sort of diet. So I think I’m already fatter since my measurements the day before yesterday, and will be for the next set of measurements’

He will join the likes of Coleen Rooney, Oti Mabuse, and Danny Jones in the jungle as a late entry 

‘But I think the way to do these things is to throw yourself into them and go for maximum enjoyment.’

Last year, the radio presenter confirmed he had found love again after his husband, David, died from alcoholic liver poisoning aged just 42, six years ago.

After meeting online, the Reverend revealed he is in a relationship with the It’s A Sin star, Richard Cant, who is unable to travel Down Under because he is appearing in a play this month.

But Rev Richard said: ‘He said it would be great for him to be three weeks without me snoring.’

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! continues Tuesday at 9pm on ITV1, STV 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 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.