REVEREND RICHARD COLES

He has presented himself as the star-struck reality television ‘newbie’ in the I’m A Celebrity jungle who is overjoyed to be meeting Ant and Dec.

But it can be revealed that Dean McCullough, 32, has shown interest in ITV before and has even met the hosts, after a video emerged online of him auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent 11 years ago.

In 2013, as part of the all-male dance troupe, The Glambᴀssadors, the then 20-year-old drama school graduate and his team wowed the judges, and the show’s hosts Ant and Dec, with their performance which David Walliams branded ‘Camper than Christmas’.

Dean met his troupe when he worked in dance and he choreographed their performance last minute after two members of the group dropped out for jobs in LA.

Kicking and pirouetting to The Boy Does Nothing by Alesha Dixon – one of the other four judges – the fast paced, high energy routine made her, David, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell unanimously decide to put them through.

The dance group then made it as far as the live semi-finals, narrowly missing out on the Royal Variety Show performance.

He has presented himself as the star-struck reality television ‘newbie’ in the I’m A Celebrity jungle who is overjoyed to be meeting Ant and Dec

But it can be revealed that Dean McCullough, 32, has shown interest in ITV before and has even met the hosts, after a video emerged online of him auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent 

In 2013, as part of the all-male dance troupe, The Glambᴀssadors, the then 20-year-old drama school graduate  (pictured right) and his team wowed the judges with their performance 

During the audition video, hosts Ant and Dec could be seen watching open-mouthed. The duo would have no doubt met Dean and his troupe backstage various times throughout the series.

Yet when the BBC Radio One presenter appeared as part of this year’s I’m A Celebrity and reunited with the Geordie presenters, both 49, there was no mention of their previous exchange.

Read More I’m A Celeb host Ant McPartlin admits he was ‘unprofessional’ after furious reaction to Dean’s trial

After the video of the troupe appeared online, fans took to X to comment their thoughts with some claiming to be ‘obsessed’ whilst others couldn’t believe what they were seeing. They penned: ‘Wait what?!’

‘Oh my god I’m obsessed’….’Whaaat? I never knew this’ …. ‘Surely not?!’….’Oh my god ???’ 

It comes after Ant revealed on Wednesday he was growing ‘frustrated’ with the Northern Irish presenter on the show for his inability to finish a Bush Tucker trial and failing to gain stars for his ‘starving’ campmates.  

Despite his numerous attempts to appear on reality television, Dean told the Mail before entering the jungle: ‘I was so surprised. Because, like, I just do the radio, like, I don’t really, I’m not really in the business of actually wanting to be a celebrity.’

After The Glambᴀssadors dissolved, two years later Dean appeared back on television, this time on the E4 dating show, Young, Free and Single.

But he received widespread criticism for turning up to a date, deciding they weren’t attractive enough and proceeding to spend the rest of the evening looking at his phone.

Hosts Ant and Dec could be seen watching open-mouthed and despite Dean appearing on this years series of I’m A Celeb, there was no mention of their previous exchange

Dean met his troupe when he worked in dance and he admitted that he choreographed their performance last minute after two members of the group dropped out for jobs in LA

The group were very impressive with their high-energy performance with lots of high kicks and the splits from them all at the end

After the video of the troupe dancing appeared online, fans took to X to comment their thoughts with some claiming to be ‘obsessed’ whilst others couldn’t believe what they were seeing

After The Glambᴀssadors dissolved, two years later Dean appeared back on television, this time on the E4 dating show, Young, Free and Single

However he received widespread criticism for turning up to a date, deciding they weren’t attractive enough and proceeding to spend the rest of the evening looking at his phone

Afterwards, he said: ‘I was appalled at my behaviour on my second date but I’m glad it happened.

‘It’s sparked mᴀssive controversy and people gave me their honest opinion – in abundance.

‘Listen, I want to make the mistakes that single guys are afraid to.

‘I want to prove that confidence doesn’t mean confident. I’ve learnt so much from that date and I hope you can see improvements in the weeks to come.’

‘I got annihilated and I deserved it.’

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.  

REVEREND RICHARD COLES

Richard is an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest

AGE: 62

OCCUPATION: Writer, broadcaster and priest

FAMOUS FOR: Richard is an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest. 

He first came to prominence as the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band the Communards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 MAURA HIGGINS

Maura is best known for her stint on Love Island UK in 2019

 AGE: 33

OCCUPATION: TV Personality

FAMOUS FOR: Maura is an Irish television personality, television presenter and model. 

She rose to prominence in 2019, when she was a finalist on the fifth series of ITV2 reality series Love Island.