I’m A Celeb’s Danielle Harold revealed how Jamie Oliver’s Dream School changed her life as she reflected on landing her EastEnders role on Thursday night’s episode.
The actress, 31, is best known for portraying the role of Lola Pearce in the BBC soap and has had some huge story lines.
She has now told it all started by taking part in Jamie’s Dream School – a Channel 4 show back in 2011 that saw the chef help 20 teenagers who have failed at school.
Danielle told Marvin Humes about the show and how it helped her get into acting and ultimately EastEnders.
She said of acting: ‘I didn’t know how to get into it. I used to constantly apply and didn’t get anything.
I’m A Celeb ‘s Danielle Harold revealed how Jamie Oliver’s Dream School changed her life as she reflected on landing her EastEnders role on Thursday night’s episode
She has now told it all started by taking part in Jamie’s Dream School – a Channel 4 show back in 2011 that saw the chef help 20 teenagers who have failed at school
‘Then I saw an advert for Jamie Oliver’s Dream School. I was like, ‘What’s that?’ One of the things on there was drama.
‘I applied, the phone rang and it was Jamie Oliver ringing my house number.’
Danielle said: ‘I won a scholarship and with the money I made a showreel. With that I met an agent.
‘She was like… ‘I can’t take you on my books’… three days after she called me up and said, ‘I just so happen to have an audition drop on my table and I’ve got nobody on my books that fits, they want a young blonde girl.’
She added: ‘I cannot tell you the mad feeling I felt when she said EastEnders.’
Describing the audition, Danielle added: ‘I absolutely crumbled. Freaked out. I had the script, didn’t know how to learn the script, I just panicked.
‘I cried… She said, ‘Listen I think you’ve got something. Lose the script, come and do some improvisation.’
Danielle continued: ‘They said, ‘Friday by 6pm, if I haven’t called you, you haven’t got it.’ It got to 7… 7.30pm.
‘Then my phone rang. She went, ‘You’ve got the role!’ I just could not believe it.’
She said: ‘Then I saw an advert for Jamie Oliver ‘s Dream School. I was like, ‘What’s that?’ One of the things on there was drama. I applied, the phone rang and it was Jamie Oliver ringing my house number’
The actress, 31, is best known for portraying the role of Lola Pearce in the BBC soap and has had some huge story lines
Danielle added: ‘I won a scholarship and with the money I made a showreel. With that I met an agent’
It comes after Nick Pickard became the fourth campmate to be eliminated from the Australian jungle in Wednesday’s episode of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.
The Hollyoaks actor, 48, lost out to Josie Gibson in the public vote after they both unexpectedly came in the bottom two in the latest elimination.
Fans were left completely shocked at Nick’s departure as they gushed over the ‘lovely’ star and also shared their surprise that Josie ranked in the bottom two.
Fred Sirieix became the third star to be voted out the camp on Tuesday, after the exits of Nella Rose and Frankie Dettori in the first two eliminations.
Jamie Lynn Spears and Grace Dent both previously exited the jungle after separately quitting on medical grounds, with just six campmates now remaining.
After Nick was the fourth star to be voted out, fans took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to admit they were ‘gutted’ that he had been booted out of the camp.
One wrote: ‘Gutted that Nick has gone,’ and another said: ‘If it was another year Nick would have won, what a lovely man.’
A third penned: ‘Ohhh I liked Nick. Gutted,’ while a fourth tweeted: ‘Nick hadn’t left, it’s a dream and I want to wake up now.’
A fifth said: ‘Nick deserved better,’ and another commented: ‘Bye Nick but I’m happy it’s not Josie.’
It comes after Nick Pickard became the fourth campmate to be eliminated from the Australian jungle in Wednesday’s episode of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!
One admitted: ‘So glad Josie is still there,’ while another vowed: ‘I’m gonna start voting for Josie now,’ after she ended up in the bottom two.
Some fans also shared their disbelief that Nick had been voted out before controversial politician and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
Despite fans’ unhappy reactions to his exit, Nick – known for playing Tony Hutchinson on Hollyoaks – didn’t seem upset as he joined Ant and Dec to look back on his jungle journey.
Nick grinned as he arrived to speak to the co-hosts and admitted he was happy to be leaving because he felt like his time on the show had come to an end.
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
NIGEL FARAGE
Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party and leader of the Brexit Party.
Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty.
Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news.
Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore.
Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields
DANIELLE HAROLD
Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.
Phobias: Rats. I hate them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too!
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either.
Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.
FRED SIRIEIX – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: First Dates star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp.
Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning.
Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient!
Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.
NELLA ROSE – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star.
Phobias: I am fearful of everything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book.
Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it!
Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele.
NICK PICKARD – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star.
Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character.
Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop!
Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock.
FRANKIE DETTORI – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: Champion Jockey
Phobias: I am not sure as I don’t walk across rooftop planks in the middle of the day nor do I have any snakes or rats in the house!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: None. I’ve lived in the public domain for as long as I can remember so I’d hope everyone knows me well.
Role in camp: To have fun with everyone, I am a happy-go- lucky person.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? Travelling. I have spent my whole life at airports and I’ve got to like it!
Best & worst attributes: I am outgoing and I am a fighter. Worst? I can’t sit still and I am impatient.
Dream camper: Robbie Williams would be fun.
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS – WALKED!
Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.
Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone.
Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed.
Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot.
Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.
SAM THOMPSON
Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter.
Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!
Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things.
Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle!
JOSIE GIBSON
Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.
Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information!
Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on!
Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry.
Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her.
MARVIN HUMES
Claim to fame: JLS star.
Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too.
Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food.
Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.
GRACE DENT – WALKED!
Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic.
Phobias: Horrible people.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep.
Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour!
TONY BELLEW
Claim to fame: Former champion boxer
Phobias: Like most normal people, I am scared of almost everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People will portray me as something I am not because of the profession I have had. I am just a normal person.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I am domesticated so hopefully I can help out.
Best & worst attributes: I do get hangry…who doesn’t! But I am easy going and I get on with everyone.
