The Culture Club star, 61, told MailOnline “it’s bloody time a gay man will win” – 15 years after actor Christopher Biggins, 73, won the title. Speaking in New South Wales, Australia, before heading into the jungle, the 80s singer, who was reportedly paid £500,000, vowed to be as ‘Boy George’ as possible after cashing in the hefty fee. Plans: Boy George says he’ll be crowned Queen of the Jungle if he wins I’m A Celeb – and confirms he’s show’s highest-paid camper She said, “I’m going to be a queen my love! Has anyone ever won gay? It’s a bloody time isn’t it, we’re so fashionable now, gays. “Listen, I don’t think you should go on a show like this if you don’t want to do your best. “It’s the same as walking on stage. I never walk on stage and think I’m going to give a half-assed performance. “I feel like I’ve been paid well for it, so I’m going to be as Boy George as I can.” Speaking out: The Culture Club star, 61, told MailOnline ‘it’s a bloody time a gay man will win’ – 15 years after actor Christopher Biggins, 73, won the title The Karma Chameleon singer revealed it was hosts Ant and Dec who convinced him to sign up for the show, which returns to Australia for the first time in two years on Sunday following the pandemic. George appeared on Saturday Night Takeaway earlier this year and told Ant and Dec that it couldn’t be done because he’s vegetarian – but the duo soon had their eye on him. He said: “I’ve been asked a few times in the past. Then I went to Saturday Night Takeaway and felt like Ant and Dec set me up. “Because I was asked ‘what does Karma Chameleon mean?’ And I was like, “I never have to, I’m a celebrity” as a kind of joke. What a mix: He’ll join Olivia Attwood, Mike Tindall and Matt Hancock in the jungle – adding to the typically unorthodox mix of characters “And then they said, ‘what would make you do that?’ and I said, “if you liked a vegan or a vegetarian”, I think I said vegan, but I’m not a vegan, I’m a vegetarian. And they said we can, and I thought “oh s***.” Weeks later, George signed up – and would later have Ant and Dec to thank for his fate in the jungle. He added: “I spoke to Ant and Dec and you know how charming they are. “I decided to do it and then I talked to them, and they just encouraged me, you know, like they do.” Confident: Speaking in Australia’s New South Wales before heading into the jungle, the 80s singer, who was reportedly paid £500,000, vowed to be as ‘Boy George’ as possible after pocketing the hefty fee George is the first contestant in history to customize the jungle outfit worn by the cast, adding red polka dots to his khaki shirt and detailing to his hat. He admits he didn’t get approval from ITV bosses before making the changes manually from his studio – and says he was shocked he got it right. “Well, I didn’t ask for permission. I was sent the hat and it was too small. So I just cut it off,” George confessed. “To be honest with you, they sent me two T-shirts. I didn’t think I’d get away with it. I just did. I actually don’t know if I’ll wear it. I haven’t been told yes or no.’ As well as his music, George became famous for his sense of style and his androgyny, but he now only dresses up on rare occasions and has learned since his 60s to accept himself. He said: “Well most of the time they strip me, I don’t walk exactly like I do on stage most of the time. “When I was 19 or 20 obviously, I always looked like that because there was more pressure. “But I think the older I get, the more comfortable I am with who I am. “I don’t talk about Boy George like he’s a special person to me. Popular: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! will return to ITV on Sunday night as the celebrities finally return to the Australian jungle after a two-year break due to the pandemic (hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly pictured) “But when you dress a certain way, people react very differently. “If I’m not dressed up, sometimes I go to a restaurant. people can be really rude. “But the moment they know who you are, they soon change their tune. “It’s fascinating to have such an extreme look and then look so different without it. Conditions: Boy George will be forced to sleep in a bunk, clean the toilet and avoid poisonous spiders – as stars of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will be tested with 24 grueling record tests. Pictured: The I’m A Celeb 2022 camp “I’m less stressed about it now. Well, you know, at this point, I don’t see myself as my image.’ Boy George, who shot to fame with hits like Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?, has overhauled his lifestyle over the past 10 years and says he’ll bring the practices he’s learned to rely on to camp. He has been sober for 14 years after battling addiction to heroin and cocaine, a chapter in his life he chronicled in his autobiography Take It Like A Man. Now a Buddhist, George predicts his teammates will be impressed by his chanting, mediation and yoga as he details the various therapies that have helped him through the toughest times of his life. He said: “Well, throughout my life, I’ve had various types of treatments. “For the last couple of years, I’ve been practicing this thing called the three principles, which is that it’s not really therapy per se, because it’s about how you manage your own thinking. “I guess the best way to describe it is mind laundry, where you kind of look at your reactions to things and a lot of it is to take a breath before reacting to the current culture. Because we have these devices where we can insult people and we can immediately respond to people. “At camp, obviously I’ll be doing yoga, and I’m singing, and I know that’s going to bother some people, so I’m hoping to find a place where I can do that because I think that’s going to keep me sane.”
I’M A CELEBRITY 2022: THE FULL LINEUP
BOY GEORGE BOY GEORGE AGE: 61 CLAIM TO FAME: Legendary pop star PHOBIAS: Being afraid MISSING ANY BIG RELATIONS? No, I go straight into the jungle playing various festivals and concerts CAMP ROLE: Dietitian at home who reassures everyone that they will be fine on the jungle diet. And entertainer – I will sing! BEST QUALITY: I’m a very positive person and I don’t hold grudges DREAM CAMPMATE: It would be funny if my ex, Jon Moss, came on the show – but I don’t think that will happen! CHRIS MOYLES CHRIS MOYLES AGE: 48 CLAIM TO FAME: Radio DJ PHOBIAS: I am petrified of heights. I ended up carrying the bags when we took my girlfriend’s niece to Go Ape once as I’m so petrified! MISSING ANY BIG RELATIONS? A friend’s birthday, a wedding and Leeds United matches ROLE IN CAMP: Entertainer. I hope I can help alleviate everyone’s boredom. BEST FEATURE: Hiding food! I’ll fly early and sneak into the jungle and hide noodles everywhere, then I’ll be everyone’s best friend! DREAM CAMPMATE: Ant and Dec… let’s see how they do for 24 hours! MECHANICAL COMPLAINT MECHANICAL COMPLAINT AGE: 59 CLAIM TO FAME: Playing Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street PHOBIES: Don’t be ridiculous! I’m not going to admit what I fear the most! MISSING ANY BIG RELATIONS? Coronation Street and we’re expecting another grandchild any day so hopefully it will arrive before I fly to Australia. ROLE AT CAMP: I’ll be more of a mom – that’s where I fit in naturally. BEST QUALITY: I can cook and I’m a good listener, so I hope to be a friendly ear for everyone. DREAM CAMPATE: Good Morning Britain’s Richard Arnold. He is my TV husband and it would be great to have an ally in camp! SCARLETTE DOUGLAS SCARLETTE DOUGLAS AGE: 35 CLAIM TO FAME: Presenter of A Place In The Sun PHOBIAS: Spiders. No point in lying about it! I have an irrational fear of them MISSING ANY BIG RELATIONS? Just a vacation I can put off CAMP ROLE: Mom, cook and morale booster. I always like to see the bright side in life BEST FEATURE: I can cook and will be good at making sure everything is tidy at camp CAMP OF DREAM: Mo Gilligan. He is hilarious and I love him so much! BABATÚNDÉ ALÉSHÉ BABATÚNDÉ ALÉSHÉ AGE: 36 CLAIM TO FAME: Comedian PHOBIAS: I fear everything. Snakes, rats – I’m afraid of them all and I’m afraid of trials MISSING ANY BIG RELATIONS? I was going on tour but we’ve postponed it now until next year CAMP ROLE: Breaking the tension. If I can break the tension wherever it starts in the camp, then I will. No need to argue as it will be a first time experience for everyone BEST FEATURE: Hopefully bringing some humor to camp DREAM CAMPMATE: I’m a big Arsenal fan so any former Arsenal player would be great. Looking forward to talking to Ant & Dec about football MIKE TINDALL MIKE TINDALL AGE: 44 CLAIM TO FAME: Rugby Union player and married to Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tyndall PHOBIAS: I haven’t admitted to having any phobias, but in a weird way, I look forward to taking part in the trials! MISSING ANY BIG RELATIONS? My podcast series and international rugby matches this fall CAMP ROLE: Morning motivation. I would like to see everyone doing well and everyone having a great experience BEST QUALITY: I am a positive person DREAM CAMPMATE: Samuel L Jackson would be cool. He has lived the life! OWEN WARNER OWEN WARNER AGE: 23 CLAIM TO FAME: Playing Romeo Nightingale in Hollyoaks PHOBIAS: Snakes! MISSING ANY BIG RELATIONS? I’m a big soccer fan, so I’ll miss watching the World Cup start ROLE IN CAMP: Entertainer and game coordinator BEST QUALITY: Definitely not my cooking skills or brains! DREAM CAMPMATE: Any of Leicester City starts from 11! …
