Comedian and television personality Leigh Francis is reportedly in advanced discussions to join the upcoming season of the ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. The 53-year-old, known for his character Keith Lemon, has long been a preferred candidate for the show’s hosts, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who have publicly expressed their desire to see him enter the “jungle.”

Two years ago, Francis engaged in preliminary talks with producers about joining the series but ultimately did not commit, a decision that reportedly disappointed Ant and Dec. The duo has since extended renewed invitations on their podcast, “Hanging Out with Ant and Dec,” urging Francis to take part. “Leigh, come on! This is our plea to you,” Ant said, emphasizing the fun nature of the show and pledging their support during any trials he might undertake.

Both hosts noted the potential for a nostalgic “full circle moment,” referencing a sketch Francis performed a decade ago on “The Keith Lemon Show,” where he and actor Adam Booth were made up to resemble Ant and Dec. They also hinted at the enjoyment they would find in watching Francis confront the program’s challenging Bushtucker Trials, with Dec adding, “If we got Leigh Francis in the jungle… let’s try and make that happen.”

Leigh Francis first gained prominence with Channel 4’s comedy series Bo’ Selecta in 2002, later creating and starring in the long-running ITV2 panel show Celebrity Juice. The show ended in 2018, and Francis’ recent television appearances include participating in the 2024 edition of The Great Celebrity Bake Off: Stand Up To Cancer on Channel 4. He also hosted ITV programs such as Through the Keyhole from 2013 to 2019, The Keith Lemon Sketch Show, and The Keith & Paddy Picture Show with Paddy McGuinness.

Beyond his professional career, Francis, who was born in Leeds, has been married to Jill Carter for 24 years and is a father to two teenage daughters, Dolly and Matilda. He maintains friendships across the entertainment industry, including with former Celebrity Juice regular Kelly Brook, who appeared on last year’s I’m A Celebrity and co-starred with Francis in the 2012 film Keith Lemon: The Film.

With ongoing negotiations underway, Francis’s potential participation would mark a notable addition to the new series and fulfill a longstanding wish of the show’s presenters.