Here’s what I got paid for winning I’m a Celeb – what ITV is giving stars now is ludicrous, says Christopher Biggins

IT’S been nearly 20 years since panto legend Christopher Biggins was crowned King of the Jungle.

While little about I’m A Celebrity‘s Australian set has changed since those early years, the fees campmates are now commanding are in a different universe.

Last year, politician Nigel Farage took home a £1million pay cheque for his involvement, which has now been eclipsed by Wag Coleen Rooney, who is being given £1.5million.

Coleen’s payday is some 30 times bigger than Biggins’ sum, and industry experts predict she could go on to rake in up to £5million in deals after the show should she play her cards right.

“I don’t think anybody likes discussing money because it looks as though you’re being underpaid or overpaid,” said Biggins, 75, in an exclusive interview.

“I do think what they’re paying now, they paid Nigel Farage a million pounds last year, it’s ludicrous. But if they want these people and these people say no, you have to pay the money they want.

“And of course, it’s probably ITV‘s biggest show. They’ve got masses of money to throw at it. And so they can pay these fees.

“When I did it, I got £50,000. It is still a good sum.

“But I did earn a lot of money the year after, though. So that’s my great perk. And I’m still getting work off it now, which is, I can’t remember how many years, but a long time ago.”

Despite Coleen’s lofty appearance fee, Porridge and I, Claudius star Biggins is rooting for her to win and has offered sage advice: be yourself.

He said: “I hope she’s gutsy. And I think she’ll do it.

“People come to me for advice about when they go into the jungle. And I say to them, the biggest thing you have to do, and it may be very difficult for you to do, is be yourself. You can’t start acting a character or being someone else because you’re going to get caught out.”

Biggins rejected the chance to return to the franchise for All Stars back in 2022, which he maintains was the right call.

Instead, he protected his original jungle experience, which he says he absolutely loved.

“If you’re a king or queen of the jungle, you don’t want to lose your title,” he said. “You’ve done something quite extraordinary by winning that title. So, no, I’m so pleased not to go back, and I really believe I made the right decision.”

The stage legend praised bosses for securing well-known names for this year’s series including Oti Mabuse, Tulisa Contostavlos and Corrie’s Alan Halsall.

But he fears for the freedom of campmates to speak their minds following his controversial exit from Celebrity Big Brother in 2016.

Producers removed him from the house after comments he made about bisexual people needing to “pick a side”.

“I think it is a minefield,” he said. “In the early days when I was doing it, it was fun. It was, you know, a hoot. People loved it.

“But now there are lots of woke situations, lots of problems with all sorts of different personalities. And I hate the fact that it could be going down the Big Brother line, which I think Big Brother is just terrible.

“I think the jungle is something different, and I hope it maintains that.

“I don’t know how much longer it’ll go on for. I suppose if they continue to make huge amounts of money, it’ll be with us for the rest of our lives.

“But I think, you know, it’s a shame that they aren’t doing new things and there aren’t new programs being done. But anyway, it’s a very popular program, and people love it. They love seeing people humiliated.”

‘TIS THE SEASON

The arrival of I’m A Celebrity on screens is always a sign that Christmas is around the corner, and Biggins is well and truly already in the festive spirit.

It’s something he shares with nearly half of Brits, according to a new nationwide study by Greene King.

Biggins has partnered with the beer brand for a charitable promotion that celebrates Christmas and its ale Rocking Rudolph.

Five pence (plus VAT) for every pint sold of Rocking Rudolph in pubs will go to Macmillan Cancer Support this festive season.

“I do think the campaign that we’ve just done is fantastic,” said Biggins. “I think it’s wonderful to celebrate Christmas.

“I used to be a champagne drinker, but my joy now is a cocktail, which I love.”

At a recent lavish party Biggins was encouraged to neck a serious number of cocktails by an A-list pal.

He said: “I had 13 coffee martinis by the end of the evening. And how I got home, I don’t know. And how I slept, I don’t know.

“But anyway, I did and it was fantastic. It was a great party. And I was with Elizabeth Hurley and she started me off. And we started drinking them and they just kept coming.”

Expect plenty of festive cheer in the Biggins household this Christmas.

Available from the beginning of November and throughout the festive period, Rocking Rudolph will be available to enjoy in pubs across the UK and in bottle format in select retailers. Perfect for the festive season ahead, this full bodied 4.2% ale, is busting with redcurrant and blackcurrant flavours, along with a malted toffee taste.

To find out more about Greene King’s beers, visit here.