‘I know more than lots of people that life is short’: I’m A Celeb’s Victoria Derbyshire says she is more determined than ever to take on new challenges after beating breast cancer
I’m A Celebrity 2020 campmate Victoria Derbyshire has said she is more determined than ever to take on new challenges after her battle with breast cancer.
The BBC news presenter, 52, says that cancer has taught her to have fun as she knows ‘more than lots of people, life is short’.
As the 2020 lineup for I’m A Cele was unveiled on Sunday, Victoria said: ‘This is a mad thrill adventure that I want to take part in. Because of cancer, I know more than lots of people, life is short.
Determined: I’m A Celebrity’s Victoria Derbyshire has said she is more determined than ever to take on new challenges after battling breast cancer
‘I am now saying “yes” to stuff I wouldn’t have done previously. And if I don’t do my boys proud, I will never live it down.
‘They really, really want me to do it and they have kept it a secret for months now because they want me to do it so much.
‘They do think it is cool I am doing it because this is their programme of the year. My husband is also so happy I am doing it.
‘He thinks I will love it, throw myself into it and he said if it makes me happy, he is happy. They are on the journey with me!’
‘Life is short’: The BBC news presenter, 52, says that cancer has taught her to have fun as she knows ‘more than lots of people, life is short’
Victoria announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer on Twitter in August 2015.
She said at the time: ‘Have been diagnosed with breast cancer & am having a mastectomy in a few wks. Family, friends, work & NHS staff are being brilliant. Will be doing the programme as much as possible during treatment in the months ahead.’
The journalist admitted that one thing she’ll struggle with during the show is not knowing what’s going on in the news.
Out of the loop: The journalist admitted that one thing she’ll struggle with during the show is not knowing what’s going on in the news
She said: ‘It will be absolutely surreal. I keep up with the news minute by minute every day and suddenly there will be a void but that is also quite thrilling because we will have to fill it by finding out about each other and working as a team. It will be a digital detox.’
She said she is looking forward to having a ‘laugh’ after such a ‘challenging and crazy year’.
Victoria admitted her BBC colleagues would be ‘quite surprised and taken aback’ but anyone who knows her well knows ‘she likes an adventure’ so has vowed not to refuse giving anything a go.
The full line up: Victoria will be joining nine other celebrities, including Sir Mo Farah and Vernon Kay, at Gwrych Castle in North Wales for the show starting on November 15
She said: ‘There is no way I will point blank refuse to do a trial. You watch it and think “there is no way I can do that” but when they get into the camp, something changes – whether that is wanting to try their best or not letting their team down.
‘People challenge themselves to do it and I love that.’
As for whether she thinks she will win and it’s a resounding no. “But gosh it would be unbelievable if I did,” she adds. “I wouldn’t be able to believe it!”
Victoria will be joining nine other celebrities, including Mo Farah and Vernon Kay, at Gwrych Castle in North Wales for the show starting on November 15.
I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! 2020: Who are the celebrities?
Name: SIR MO FARAH CBE
Age: 37
Claim to fame: The most successful British track athlete in Olympic Games history
Phobias: Any animal that moves
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running
Role in the camp: Cook
Miss most: Coffee, my wife and children
Dream campmate: Samuel L Jackson would be pretty cool
Relationship status: Married
Name: SHANE RITCHIE
Age: 56
Phobias: Human faeces. If I see one, it is over! I am hoping the camp toilet will be enclosed
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: Nothing. I don’t think I am that interesting
Role in the camp: Person who will muck in with anything
Miss most: My family and routine at home
Dream campmate: Eric Cantona, any 80s’ pop star or The Roc
Relationship status: Married
Name: BEVERLEY CALLARD
Age: 63
Claim to fame: Corrie legend
Phobias: Ghosts and insects
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People think I am glamorous as I have played Liz for so long but I am not
Role in the camp: Cleaner
Miss most: Dogs and my husband, Jon
Dream campmate: Ricky Gervais – he would keep us all going
Relationship status: Married
Name: AJ PRITCHARD
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Former Strictly professional
Phobias: Heights, claustrophobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People see me with sparkles and fake tan but nobody knows what I am like
Role in the camp: Keeping spirits up and the cleaner
Miss most: My warm and comfy bed
Dream campmate: Any celebrity with an intriguing background
Relationship status: Dating
Name: VERNON KAY
Age: 46
Claim to fame: TV and radio presenter
Phobias: I don’t like being confined underwater!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I think I have always been the same throughout my career – so I don’t have any.
Role in the camp: Person to keep spirits up.
Miss most: My family.
Dream camper: Anybody who has won the Super Bowl!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE
Age: 52
Claim to fame: Award-winning journalist
Phobias: I am not a fan of spiders or confined spaces and I don’t know what I am going to be like when I get there!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t think I have any as people just know me as the news and current affairs person!
Role in the camp: Shoulder to cry on.
Miss most: My boys, husband, dog and Mum.
Dream campmate: Madonna, Gary Lineker and Jamie Oliver to cook for us. I think you could have some really geeky chats with them!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: GIOVANNA FLETCHER
Age: 35
Claim to fame: Author and podcaster
Phobias: Heights. My legs go wobbly and you can’t rationalise it
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I am not that controversial so nothing
Role in the camp: Mum, friend and the giver of hugs
Miss most: My husband, Tom, and my three children
Dream campmate: The Queen, Judi Dench and Ant Middleton so he can help us with all the survival skills
Relationship status: Married
Name: JESSICA PLUMMER
Age: 28
Claim to fame: Former EastEnders actress
Phobias: Arachnophobia, fear of heights –just about every phobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me for who I am rather than my EastEnders character
Role in the camp: Chatterbox and little sister
Miss most: My daughter. It’s going to be the longest we’ve been apart
Dream campmate: Denzel Washington would be awesome. I would listen to every word he said
Relationship status: Single
Name: JORDAN NORTH
Age: 30
Claim to fame: Radio 1 DJ
Phobias: It’s just easier to say what I am not scared of. I have so many phobias
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: On my Radio 1 show, I am always bubbly and energetic but everyone has down moments too, so it will be nice for people to see what I am really like
Role in the camp: Entertainer and the tidy up person –I love a tidy house
Miss most: A nice cool pint of Guinness
Dream campmate: Barack Obama and Liam Gallagher. He would be great entertainment value
Relationship status: Single
Name: HOLLIE ARNOLD MBE
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Paralympic gold medallist
Phobias: Spiders
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t want it to focus on my disability
Role in the camp: Cook/shoulder to cry on
Miss most: My boyfriend, food and my cats
Dream campmate: Michelle Keegan –she is beautiful
Relationship status: Dating