Coleen Rooney's close friend has hinted she's the true winner – for one reason.
The Liverpudlian star has become a firm favourite amongst ITV I'm A Celebrity fans. Coleen, 38, goes up against Reverend Richard Coles and McFly's Danny Jones in tonight's grand final. Over the past three weeks, she's been put through her paces with her fair share of Bushtucker Trials, as well as a capsized boat while entering the Australian jungle.
But those close to the businesswoman have insisted that viewers are seeing the real Coleen on screen. Many had taken to social media to share their preconceptions about Coleen, who found fame while dating now-husband, Wayne Rooney. In recent years, she's proven she's more than just a WAG and has built a name for herself.
Speaking on behalf of Applied Nutrition, who Coleen is a brand ambassador for, her close friend Danielle Gibson said: "She is exactly who she's showing herself to be in the jungle. She is strong, independent and I can really see how the other campmates are gravitating towards her.
Image:
Instagram/ @appliednutrition)Image:
Rich Lowe/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)"Keep going, you are my Queen of the Jungle for sure, I'm so proud of you. Everyone is rooting for you. She's got to win, I just feel like if we can all get behind her for one last push, I really do believe we can make her Queen of the Jungle."
This is a sentiment echoed by Coleen's mum, Colette, who spoke exclusively to the Mirror in Australia. Speaking about reuniting with the Claire House ambassador during Friday's episode, Colette said: "As I held her, one of the things she said to me was 'Mum, have I been boring?' It broke my heart hearing that but I said, 'No, you've been yourself and that's all that matters.'"
"She is obviously thinking about what people are thinking, but she needn’t worry," she says. "If she went in shouting and being loud, that wouldn't be her. We've seen the true Coleen."
Image:
ITV)In a rare interview, Colette said that her daughter’s jungle experience has been just the tonic needed after a tough two years centered around her High Court battle. But watching her daughter on screen, she firmly believes that the show has helped get her zest for life back. Absolutely, the show's helped it come back, and also her confidence, because she was really lacking in it," Colette says.
Asked what it was like as a mum seeing her daughter struggle during this time, she said: “Horrendous, because at one time during the trial, we lost Coleen. Coleen wasn't Coleen. She couldn't be herself. We didn't know before the trial what was going on because she didn't tell us. We noticed a difference in her behaviour, in her attitude, she even distanced herself.
"So when it all came out, it was a relief for us, really, because then we knew what was going on. But now we've got her back fully." During her stint, fans have praised Coleen's glowing skin and it appears it's all down to her Applied Nutrition collagen.
Image:
Applied Nutrition)A show insider said: "She’s always looked after herself, and this is just part of her routine. She absolutely swears by collagen and it was non negotiable. It’s one of her secret weapons for staying healthy. Most people would be sneaking in bars of chocolate, but she's packed plenty of collagen sachets to keep up with her daily regime!"
Ahead of tonight's final, Everton legend Wayne recorded a moving video for his wife alongside his sons Kai, 15, and Kit, 8, and urged fans to vote for her to be crowned Queen of the Jungle. He said: "Hi Col, we just want to wish you all the best in the final tonight, we've all been so proud of you. You've shown everyone who you really are and your character. No matter what you'll be our queen, no matter what happens we're all really excited to see you. All the best, we love you."
Meanwhile, son Kai said down the camera: "Hi mum, excited to watch tonight. You've shown everyone who you really are and you've done us all proud and we all love you so much."
Follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.
English (US) ·