I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia has officially announced the first star heading into the South African jungle on Sunday’s season premiere.
Luke Bateman confirmed on Wednesday morning that he will be joining the 2026 line-up of contestants.
The former NRL and Bachelor star, 30, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the news with followers.
‘In some very exciting news, I’ll be trading the Australian outback for the African jungle on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! which premieres this Sunday on Ten,’ he said.
Continuing, Luke said that he would be attempting to win the $100,000 prize money for rural charity Farm Angels.
‘I’ll be going into the jungle representing my charity, Farm Angels, which is a charity very close to my heart. They do amazing work in my community.’
Luke Bateman confirmed he will be joining the 2026 I’m A Celebrity… Get me Out Of Here! cast on Wednesday
Luke added that he could not wait to see what hosts Robert Irwin and Julia Morris had in store for this year’s crop of jungle celebrities.
‘I’m very excited to see what Robert and Julia have cooked up for me,’ he said.
‘I’m sure there’ll be some delectable food items and some fear-instilling trials. I can’t wait. I’ll see you all in the jungle.’
Luke’s announcement was met with a flurry of congratulations from followers, including Bachelor and I’m A Celebrity alum Matty J Johnson.
‘How bloody great – good luck brother!’ he wrote.
Another added: ‘OMFG. Ok, wasn’t going to watch it but I will now,’ while a third offered: ‘Woah! No way! This is rad, Luke! Excited to watch!’
The former reality star has recently become quite the TikTok sensation, with his reviews of risqué romance and fantasy novels.
It was a fact not lost on many, with another I’m A Celebrity cast member, Turia Pitt, commenting: ‘Yeww, take some books.’
‘I’m very excited to see what Robert and Julia have cooked up for me,’ he said. (Both pictured)
Luke’s announcement was met with a flurry of congratulations from followers including Bachelor and I’m A Celebrity alum Matty J Johnson. ‘How bloody great – good luck brother!’ he wrote
Another fan of Luke’s social media content added: ‘I was today years old when I found out you played football or were on The Bachelor.
‘I just knew you as farmer book guy lol. Keep reinventing yourself and enjoy all the opportunities that come your way!’
Luke rose to fame as an NRL star, playing for the Canberra Raiders from 2015 to 2019.
He parlayed his sporting success into reality TV fame, starring in the eleventh and final season of The Bachelor in 2023.
Dubbed The Bachelors, the show saw Luke star alongside fellow suitors Ben Waddell and Wesley Cortes.
He eventually declared his love for Ellie Rolfe and they remained the only couple still together after the final episode.
However, the romance proved to be short-lived, with Luke confirming he had split with Ellie in March 2024.
‘Ellie and I have separated and would like to keep our relationship private,’ he said in a statement to Yahoo Lifestyle at the time.
Luke rose to fame as an NRL star, playing for the Canberra Raiders from 2015 to 2019. He parlayed his sporting success into reality TV fame, starring in the eleventh and final season of The Bachelor in 2023. Also pictured: Ellie Rolfe
The former reality star has recently become quite the TikTok sensation, with his reviews of risqué romance and fantasy novels
‘Ellie has a soul that lights up every room she walks into and I will sorely miss it in my life,’ he added.
Luke made international headlines in June last year after signing a two-book deal with Atria Books Australia.
The former footy star has revealed that his love of books was something he used to hide from his ex-teammates.
‘I grew up playing a lot of sport, and I remember whenever you go away for a camp or a weekend away for a game or something, I used to get my books and pack them at the bottom of my bag or somewhere,’ he said in a TikTok video.
Luke has become quite the ‘BookTok’ star, with his @lukesreads page currently boasting 406,000 followers.
I’m A Celebrity premieres Sunday at 7pm on Channel 10
