Overview
- ITV has confirmed Rooney as a headline contestant and published official cast photos as part of its pre-launch publicity for the new season.
- Rooney travelled to Brisbane to prepare for the show and was reported to be the first participant to arrive, accompanied by his manager Paul Stretford.
- He told ITV he will attempt food trials but named jumping from a helicopter as his biggest fear, signalling which challenges may be decisive for him on screen.
- The season is scheduled to begin on 16 November and the confirmed line-up includes Ade Adepitan, who will be the British edition's first contestant who uses a wheelchair.
- British tabloids have widely speculated that Rooney was offered a large fee but those figures remain unverified and ITV has not confirmed any payment details.