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EX-BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is set for I’m A Celebrity — and ready to let rip at his old employer.

The former Communards and Strictly star, 62, said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year.

Ex-BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is set for I’m A Celebrity
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Ex-BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is set for I’m A CelebrityCredit: Handout
Rev Coles will reportedly be joined in the jungle by Radio 1 rising star Dean McCullough
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Rev Coles will reportedly be joined in the jungle by Radio 1 rising star Dean McCulloughCredit: Getty

Sources also say Radio 1 rising star Dean McCullough, 32, is in advanced talks to enter the ITV series which starts next month.

An insider said: “As always, the jungle bosses have cleverly put together a sensational line-up guaranteed to make for compulsive viewing.

“Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth.

"Meanwhile, Dean isn’t known for being a shrinking violet and is sure to be outspoken — plus he’s one of the youngest men lined up for the show so far.”

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Richard departed as host of Radio 4’s Saturday Live show under a cloud in March 2023 after 12 years.

The Beeb announced the news, buried in an email, only five days before his final show.

Richard said later he “felt rather hurtled towards the exit”.

He added of the BBC: “You devote your energies to it and yet they perhaps don’t always respond with similar devotion.

"It’s a great national institution and more power to its elbow.

"It would just be nice if it could distinguish that elbow from its ae sometimes.”

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I’m A Celebrity already has most of its line-up in place.

So far, it includes Wag queen Coleen Rooney, Dancing on Ice judge Oti Mabuse, ex-Love Islander Tommy Fury, Corrie’s Alan Halsall and social media star GK Barry.

A spokesman for I’m a Celebrity said: “We don’t comment on speculation.”

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