Jane Moore, 62, sparks ITV I’m A Celebrity ‘ageism’ row as she speaks out on being most likely for axe: ‘Certain age’
Jane Moore, 62, has addressed the possibility of being crowned the new Queen of the Jungle after worrying data emerged regarding her chances of winning.
The Loose Women panellist will enter the jungle on Sunday evening alongside the likes of Oti Mabuse and Danny Jones as Ant and Dec get ready for another three weeks in the wilderness.
Moore is best known for her on-screen stint on the ITV daytime panel show but also entertains readers with a weekly column in The Sun.
In her final piece for the publication before heading Down Under, Moore pulled no punches when she analysed the fact she was the frontrunner to be booted out of the jungle first.
Hinting her age could be the predominant factor in the odds, she wrote: “As a woman ‘of a certain age’ there’s a level of invisibility in society, even if you’re pretty gobby like me.
“So when a friend told me website Oddschecker already has me as the least likely to win, I wasn’t surprised.”
Moore continued: “Boxer Barry McGuigan, 63, is one of those with me in the predicted bottom three and we are two of the three oldest campmates by some margin, so make of that what you will.”
After alluding to possible ageism among ITV viewers, Moore did her best to ignore the prospect of an early exit.
“As a generation who grew up without social media (heaven), we will also have the smallest online followings. Will that matter when it comes to votes? Maybe. Maybe not. But hand on heart, I don’t care,” she penned.
“I am just there for the adventure, and to do my bit for menopausal women everywhere — one HRT patch at a time.”
Moore echoed the sentiment when speaking to ITV ahead of Sunday’s premiere, saying of her chances of being crowned Queen of the Jungle: “If it were to happen, I would enjoy the moment.
“When I have seen this programme in the past, it’s all about the people who are having the experience together and the great camaraderie.
“It’s not the winning but the taking part. Now I’m A Celebrity is approaching, it’s exciting. I am really looking forward to the whole experience.”
She added: “I am really excited. I’m apprehensive about being away from home, being isolated and away from my phone and laptop – but actually, this is also the very thing I am looking forward to.
“I have never done a reality show before and I’ve always said when we talk about these things on Loose Women that this programme would be the one. I like an adventure and it appeals to me.
“In fact, my Loose Women colleagues have been saying to me for so many years to do I’m A Celebrity, telling me, ‘You would love it’. Linda Robson said she would go back in a heartbeat, and I think they will be thrilled when they find out that I am finally taking their advice and the leap.”
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Ahead of Sunday’s premiere, Moore remains the least likely to be crowned the winner of this year’s series, with bookmakers William Hill pricing her as far out as 50/1 for the crown.
A spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said of the odds ahead of Sunday’s show: “Following the confirmation of the final line-up for this series of I’m A Celeb, several of the contestants have been popular in the market.
“Danny Jones is 2/1 from 11/4 to become the second King of the Jungle from McFly after ex-bandmate Dougie Poynter won the 2011 series.
“Wife of Wayne Rooney, Coleen Rooney, has been well backed from 12/1 to 8/1, with the other mover being ex-pro boxer, turned boxing promoter Barry McGuigan who has narrowed from 25/1 to 14/1.”
