I'm A Celeb 2021: 'They might come in handy!' New arrival Simon Gregson reveals he's been reading up on Gwrych Castle's haunted past
Simon Gregson has revealed he's been reading up on Gwrych Castle's haunted history, as he prepares to make a surprise arrival on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
The Coronation Street star, known for his role as Steve McDonald on the soap, joked that it might 'come in handy' to have a few supernatural pals in the castle, in case he gets riled up by any of his campmates.
Simon added that he finally agreed to join the show after years of pestering from his wife Emma Gleave and their three sons, having been approached by bosses numerous times.
Surprise! I'm A Celebrity star Simon Gregson has revealed he's been reading up on Gwrych Castle's haunted history, as he prepares to make a late arrival into the famous camp
Speaking to MailOnline ahead of his arrival in the castle on Thursday, Simon, who previously shared his belief in ghosts, said he wouldn't be fazed by a supernatural presence in the castle.
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He said: 'I don't think it would bother me. I did read up on the castle because I am interested in all things spooky, so I believe there's a lady in white.
'I believe there's a gardener, I believed there's a milk maid and I believe there's a poltergeist butler, who may come in handy, you never know!'
Veteran: The Coronation Street star, known for his role as Steve McDonald on the soap, joked that it might 'come in handy' to have a few supernatural pals in the castle
Gwrych Castle has been rumoured to be haunted by a number of spirits for years, including previous owner the Winifred Hesketh, the Countess of Dundonald who died in 1924.
Legend says she is angry at her husband for taking all of her former homes' valuables, with some people claiming she, or another spooky spirit, stalks the area in a white dress.
A chilling photo taken there ten years ago shows a pale, shadowy young woman on the first floor — in what used to be a magnificent banquet hall.
Some locals also believe that the spirit of a servant girl who died falling off a horse haunts the land. While others say ghosts of former caretakers have been seen around the 200-year-old castle, which boasts 250 acres.
Candid: Simon also revealed he's been given some words of advice from his Corrie co-stars who have appeared on I'm A Celebrity in the past
Earlier this year Simon shared his interest in the supernatural as he celebrated Halloween on Loose Women.
He said: 'I love all the supernatural stuff. I think, to be honest with you, the reason for it is because it'd be so nice if there was something else afterwards.
'There have been some scary moments. I used to live in this flat in Cheadle a long time ago, and there was definitely something there.
'One night, we didn't go home, we were somewhere else, and one of the neighbours went absolutely mental of the fact that doors were banging, microwaves kept pinging on and off, and George - who was my chinchilla - was living in the spare room, screamed a really high-pitched scream - and they only do that when they're terrified - so what was he frightened of?'
Simon, who has played Steve McDonald on Corrie for more than 30 years, also revealed he's been given some words of advice from his soap co-stars have appeared on I'm A Celebrity in the past.
Spooky: Gwrych Castle has been rumoured to be haunted by a number of spirits for years, including previous owner the Winifred Hesketh, the Countess of Dundonald
He told MailOnline: 'They did Australia of course, so that's a whole different kettle of fish I think, A: the temperature, and B: everything is kind of designed to kill you in Australia, whereas I think Wales will be a bit tamer, famous last words!
'They just said be yourself. They did say it's a bit of a hard schlep to do, of course the food isn't great. But for me it's a bonus, I desperately need to lose weight so I'm thinking of it as like the worst boot camp in the world.'
Simon also revealed that he finally decided to take part in I'm A Celebrity after being pestered for years by his three sons.
He added: 'I'm going to miss Emma and the kids the absolute most, we've not been able to have any kind of device to contact anyone for the last few days.
'Me and Emma speak to each other every 10 minutes, if we're not together. That's going to be really hard not being with the family, and I think I'll probably miss the pub as well.
'They've kind of asked me a few times in the past, and then it was kind of known that Si would never do the show, but my kids and Emma every year say ''do the show,'' and I just couldn't put up with that chant anymore, so I thought ''right! I'll do the show!''
'So it was always gonna be as soon as it came to Wales I thought 'ooh that might be a bit better' because who wants to sit on a plane for five days?'
I'll do the show! Simon added that he finally agreed to join the show after years of pestering from his wife Emma Gleave and their three sons (pictured with two of their sons in 2016)
It comes after I'm A Celebrity was thrown into chaos on Tuesday as both Naughty Boy and Arlene Phillips threatened to quit the show after just three days in the camp.
The ITV series kicked off its brand new series on Sunday, but the two stars have already shared their intentions to leave the derelict Gwrych Castle following a tough start which saw them spend two days in The Clink.
Towards the end of the show, Ant and Dec confirmed that the pair have joined the Main Camp for now.
Simon's arrival on I'm A Celebrity will air on Thursday at 9pm on ITV.
I'm A Celebrity 2021 Line-up
LOUISE MINCHIN
LOUISE MINCHIN
AGE: 53
CLAIM TO FAME: Broadcaster & ex BBC Breakfast Host
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: It’s nice to be able to show the fun side of me rather than the serious news presenter.
PHOBIAS: The idea of small, enclosed spaces with cockroaches and spiders is horrific!
ROLE IN THE CAMP: I will give out hugs and make the food more edible!
MISS MOST: My comfortable bed and lovely bath.
DREAM CAMPER: Angelina Jolie and Daniel Craig – we wouldn’t have a problem getting stars if he were in the Castle.
MATTY LEE
MATTY LEE
AGE: 23
CLAIM TO FAME: Olympic Gold Medallist
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: People always see me as very composed and serious on the diving board. This will be a nice opportunity to let people get to know me better.
PHOBIAS: I don’t like rats.
ROLE IN THE CAMP: I don’t mind helping out with cleaning.
MISS MOST: My bed!
DREAM CAMPER: Ed Sheeran and Will Smith
SNOOCHIE SHY
SNOOCHIE SHY
AGE: 29
CLAIM TO FAME: Radio 1Xtra DJ
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: People know me as a very bubbly person but when I am outside of my comfort zone, I can be shy.
PHOBIAS: Bugs, heights and I’m claustrophobic.
ROLE IN THE CAMP: I love twerking on a Friday night and I’m going to teach everyone how to do it in the Castle!
MISS MOST: My cat and lip gloss.
DREAM CAMPER: Jim Carrey and Big Narstie.
RICHARD MADELEY
RICHARD MADELEY
AGE: 65
CLAIM TO FAME: TV presenter and journalist
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: Nothing. I don’t worry about what people think.
PHOBIAS: Heights. I’m not sure how I will feel if I have to walk across a plank very high up!
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Cook and interviewer. I love finding out about people’s lives.
MISS MOST: Aside from Judy and my family, not knowing what is happening in the news. I am a news junkie.
DREAM CAMPER: The late Jimmy Greaves. I would have loved to chat about goal scoring in the Castle with him.
DAME ARLENE PHILLIPS, DBE
DAME ARLENE PHILLIPS, DBE
AGE: 78
CLAIM TO FAME: Choreographer
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: People don’t really know the real me at home and I’d like to show people the motherly side, the side my family sees.
PHOBIAS: I am hoping I will overcome my fears to take part in the Trials!
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Mum and to organise some fun dance routines!
MISS MOST: My notepad and pencil –I am known for always having to write down ideas.
DREAM CAMPER: Giovanna Fletcher –she is such a lovely, warm person.
NAUGHTY BOY
NAUGHTY BOY
AGE: 36
CLAIM TO FAME: Producer
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: People don’t know the real me and I want everyone to get to know me.
PHOBIAS: Confined spaces and heights but I want to give the Trials a go to bring back some stars.
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Castle chef and someone who everyone can confide in.
MISS MOST: My mum. I live with her and it’s going to be hard being away from her.
DREAM CAMPER: Sir Elton John would be amazing.
KADEENA COX, MBE
KADEENA COX, MBE
AGE: 30
CLAIM TO FAME: Paralympic Gold Medallist
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: Great to be able to show people with all disabilities they can try different things in life.
PHOBIAS: Snakes, rats, spiders, heights – everything!
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Chef - so long as there isn’t too much pressure to make the food interesting!
MISS MOST: TikTok, my mum and dog.
DREAM CAMPER: Thierry Henry –I love watching Arsenal play.
DAVID GINOLA
DAVID GINOLA
AGE: 54
CLAIM TO FAME: Football legend
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: None because I never hide behind a false image. What you see is what you get.
PHOBIAS: I am going to tell you when I am in the Castle!
ROLE IN THE CAMP: Chef. I enjoy cooking at home and I will be hoping to add some garlic and rosemary to the food.
MISS MOST: My partner and my little girl. It’s going to be tough.
FRANKIE BRIDGE
FRANKIE BRIDGE
AGE: 32
CLAIM TO FAME: The Saturdays star
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: People think if you are in a pop group, you lead a glamorous lifestyle and won’t get stuck in, but I’m determined to muck in with all the chores.
PHOBIAS: Spiders, rats and confined spaces scare me.
ROLE IN THE CAMP: The serial hugger.
MISS MOST: Wayne and my boys.
DREAM CAMPER: Larry Lamb or a father figure type.
DANNY MILLER
DANNY MILLER
AGE: 30
CLAIM TO FAME: Emmerdale actor
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION TO DISPEL IN THE CASTLE: None but I would like to show everyone what I am like in real life rather than my soap character, Aaron Dingle.
PHOBIAS: I am absolutely dreading the eating Trials! I fear I will gag!
ROLE IN THE CAMP: A shoulder to cry on and a person everyone can come to if they have a problem.
MISS MOST: My fiancée, Steph, and our new baby.
DREAM CAMPER: Fred Sirieix or any ex football player. I won’t be able to leave them alone asking lots of questions!
