X Factor star Fleur East is lined up to join the I’m A Celebrity 2018 cast.
The runner up of the 2014 X Factor is said to be negotiating a deal for the upcoming series of I’m A Celeb.
After initially being signed by Syco and releasing a debut album, it was revealed last year that she had parted ways from Simon Cowell’s record label.
“Fleur was one of the most loved X Factor contestants in recent years, so she is bound to be a hit with audiences,” a source said today. “She’s part of the ITV family. The relationship is already there and they are just negotiating a deal at the moment.”
An insider told The Sun newspaper: “Fleur really wants to try to relaunch her music career in early 2019, so she feels like this is a great way to get her name back out there again.
“She knows she has been out of the spotlight for a while but wants people to see who she really is on the show.”
Sources claim that Fleur is hoping to relaunch her music career off the back of the series.
“Fleur has been working hard on new music for two years and it’s finally all coming together,” a source said. “She has been putting the finishing touches to a collection of songs and been working with song-writer Kamille, who has worked on Little Mix’s new music.
“She wants to release her new single when the show finishes ahead of a major comeback next year.”
Fleur previously said she would be up for appearing on reality TV again.
“I’ve been approached by a few shows like Strictly and I’m A Celeb, but it’s never quite the right time,” she said. “We’ll have to see if they come knocking again. I would like to do one at some point, if it was right.”
Other rumoured celebrities for this year’s series include Hollyoaks actor Malique Thompson-Dwyer, Holby City actress Rosie Marcel, Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing and Inbetweeners star Emily Atack.
Also linked to the series are TV presenter Nick Knowles, Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon, reality star Charlotte Dawson, The Saturdays’ Frankie Bridge and TV presenter Kate Garraway.
Meanwhile, Blazin Squad star Marcel Somerville could become the first contestant from ITV2’s Love Island to appear in the I’m A Celebrity camp.
Away from the I’m A Celebrity lineup, ITV has confirmed it’ll be Holly Willoughby who fronts this year’s series alongside Dec.
Dec’s usual co-host Ant stepped down from TV commitments earlier this year and recently confirmed he would not be back on TV until 2019 after seeking treatment in rehab.
I’m A Celebrity typically launches mid-November on ITV.
