Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Louise Randell

I’m A Celeb's newbies Andrew Whyment and Cliff Parisi cuddle critters as they head to jungle

I’m A Celebrity 's new recruits Andrew Whyment and Cliff Parisi have been pictured cuddling critters as they prepare to head into the jungle today.

The two soap stars got a taste of Australia's wildlife by heading to the Gold Coast's Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to meet some of the country's most famous creatures.

Former EastEnders actor Cliff, 59, who played Minty, was pictured cuddling a koala, while Coronation Street star Andrew, 38, was seen feeding a kangaroo and offering a cup of seed to an emu.

Andrew, best known for playing Kirk in the ITV show, has long been rumoured to be joining I'm A Celeb but baffled fans when he was left out of the starting line-up.

He'll now be heading into camp as a late entry along with surprise addition to the cast Cliff.

Cliff got cuddly with a koala at the wildlife park (Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)
Andrew looked thrilled to be feeding a kangaroo (Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)

Cliff told the Mirror exclusively that he is going into the jungle because he needs the money.

The actor initially turned down the job until he was shown a huge tax bill by his accountant, which changed his mind.

Cliff said: “What made me sign up? The taxman. I have got a bill I need to pay.

"Like everyone at this time of year, you go, ‘Oh no. Again...' You would think I earn a lot of money but I don’t.

"I work for the BBC, so it ain’t that big."

The actor, who plays Kirk in Corrie, gave an emu some feed out of a cup (Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)
Cliff couldn't stop smiling as he made friends with Ginger the koala (Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)
CLIFF PARISI REVEALS WHY HE STARTED HIS CAREER AS A STAND-UP COMIC

“I had a meeting about this earlier on in the year, and I thought about it long and hard and said no.

"And then as I got an estimate for my tax, I phoned them up and said, is it too late to say yes?

“So here I am. But it could be an amazing experience and I hope it is.

“Life throws up things like this for you, and if you don’t take them you are a bit of a mug."

Since quitting EastEnders in 2010, Cliff went on to land a regulalr role in BBC drama Call The Midwife.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at  webcelebs@trinitymirror.com  or call us direct 0207 29 33033

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.