Craig is returning to the ITV challenge show over a decade after his first appearance
Craig is returning to the ITV challenge show over a decade after his first appearance
Following the success of its debut series in 2023 I’m A Celebrity… South Africa returns for a brand new series this month on ITV, ITVX, STV & STV Player. The all-star version of the iconic I’m A Celebrity format will once again bring together some of the most memorable campmates from series gone by, as they return to test themselves in brand new trials.
Craig Charles is one of the celebrities confirmed by ITV for the show. When the actor and DJ took part in the Australian jungle more than 10 years ago, he famously had to leave after just four days following the tragic death of his brother, Dean.
He spoke previously about how Dean had tried to contract him before he joined the ITV show. Speaking to The Big Issue, Craig said: “If I could have one last conversation with anyone it would be my brother Dean. He tried to get hold of me just before I went into the jungle.
“We’d not spoken for a few years, there was a family falling out. And I just thought, ‘You know what, I’ll leave it, go and do the jungle thing and I’ll come out and we’ll all be together for Christmas.'”
He continued: “And he died while I was over there… The doctor said: ‘I’ve got some terrible news to tell you, Craig. Your brother Dean has passed away.’ So I had to get on a plane straight away. He was so far away. And it took so long to get back. I’d have loved to have had a conversation with him. I’d have loved to have made up.”
Sharing the news about his new stint in the jungle, Craig posted to Facebook: “Big news! I’m back on I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! in South Africa and you can catch all the action on ITV from Monday April 6! It’s going to be wild, hilarious, and full of surprises – can’t wait for you to see it!”
Craig who has experienced success as both an actor and DJ, told the ECHO in 2023 about his upbringing in Liverpool, he said: “My dad arrived in England in 1958, he arrived at Liverpool Docks with a pocketful of change and a bag full of records.
“I was born in 1964 so while Liverpool was swinging to The Beatles, our house was moving to a different groove with things like Harry Belafonte, Johnny Mathis and Ray Charles.”
Craig also credited his Merseyside roots for shaping his interests. He said: “Hanging around Granby and going to the Boogaloo, you were listening to people like Earth Wind and Fire and Funkadelic so there were a lot of influences.
“There’s so many influences in Liverpool because it’s a port city and it’s had immigrants there for a very long time. Especially in Liverpool 8 because you thought it was us against the world.”
Craig is best known for his roles as Dave Lister in the science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf and Lloyd Mullaney in Coronation Street (2005–2015). He presented the gladiator-style game show Robot Wars from 1998 to 2004, and narrated the comedy endurance show Takeshi’s Castle.
Charles has appeared in all twelve series of Red Dwarf, as well as Red Dwarf: The Promised Land (2020). He is is one of only two cast members to appear in every episode of Red Dwarf to date.
The TV star first appeared on television as a performance poet, which led to minor presenting roles. Charles has hosted The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show on BBC radio since 2002, and performs DJ sets at numerous clubs and festivals internationally.
In September 2015, he left Coronation Street after ten years of acting, to film new episodes of Red Dwarf and to continue his BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 2 broadcasting. Speaking about his decision to leave the soap, he told OK Magazine: “My brother died when I was on I’m a Celeb. He was only 52. I thought, ‘If I died suddenly, would I be happy with what I’d achieved?’
“The honest answer was no. So I promised myself I’d have new adventures. I wouldn’t have been able to do half the stuff I’ve done if I’d stayed in Coronation Street.”
Despite huge success across a number of professions, Craig has never forgotten his roots. He said he is “proud to be a Scouser” as he was inducted into the Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame last year.
The Liverpool Beatles Museum on Mathew Street welcomed a whole host of celebrities on Thursday, November 20 2025 as part of the opening of the “Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame”.
Craig Charles was among the group of “legends” who were invited to take part by providing unique items for the exhibition as a symbol for their dazzling careers.
Charles went to school with Roag Best, who owns the Liverpool Beatles Museum on Mathew Street. Telling the ECHO why he agreed to donate something for the display, he said: “It’s Liverpool isn’t it.”
He continued: “I went to school with Roag who owns the museum and he phoned me up and said he wanted me to be one of the Liverpool Legends.”
Craig decided to donate his iconic Robot Wars jacket. He said: “I don’t wear the Robot Wars jacket, that would be odd wouldn’t it. I don’t walk around the street wearing that so I gave it to them and it’s such an honour really.”
In his personal life, Craig has spoken openly about health issues he has faced. He told the ECHO in an exclusive interview in 2023 about how he has had stents fitted since he suffered a heart attack a number of years ago. After he recovered from the health setback Craig told the ECHO how he now has a new lease of life.
Craig explained he suffers with the same heart condition his brother Dean died from in 2014. He said: “It’s the narrowing of the arteries that leads to the heart and they said it was genetic at the time and I should go and get it checked out.
“I just ignored them and got on with my life but then I had the same thing.” Craig is making the most of his new life, as he is still bursting with energy and busier than ever.
