Coronation Street star Craig Charles lined up for I’m A Celebrity return after brother’s shock death cut short his 2014 appearance
The actor had to leave suddenly after his sibling suffered a fatal heart attack
CORONATION Street star Craig Charles is set to make a return to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here after his appearance in 2014 was cut tragically short.
The actor had to leave the jungle on day four after his brother Dean died from a heart attack and didn’t come back to complete his stint.
But a source told the Sun Online that show bosses are very keen to get him back in the camp this year and are willing to offer him a big money deal for his return.
The insider said: “The producers are eager to get Craig back in the jungle after he had to sadly leave so early on in the run two years ago because of his brother’s death.
“He was a popular camp mate in the short time he was in and bosses know he would have been a great contestant if he’d stayed on the show.
“They know that he was enjoying getting into camp life but sadly, due to circumstances beyond his control, he was forced to leave and go home to his family.
“They wanted to get him back on the show last year but he was already committed to filming brand new episodes of BBC Two’s sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf, which will air next month.
His first television acting role, it was the show that made him a household name as the Liverpudlian slob Dave Lister.
The source added that bosses would be willing to offer the 52-year-old dad-of-three a big money deal to return and added: “They think he would be happy to return and pick off where he left off in 2014 but are happy to make him an offer he might not be able to refuse.”
Craig appeared on the show alongside journalist Michael Buerk, rapper Tinchy Stryder and former ‘Allo ‘Allo actress Vicki Michelle, who were –along with the other celebrities - all devastated to see him go.
Buerk said, “It’s terrible for him and it is sad for us too really because he was a great guy to have around.'
Michelle added: “It’s such a shame he’s had to go, it’s a huge loss to the camp because he was a lovely personality, cheeky chappy and we’re all going to miss him, we got really upset.
But it was Tincy who got the most upset at his departure as he told his camp mates on his return from his and Craig’s successful Bush Tucker Trial: “I don’t care about the stars and food and stuff.
“You start thinking about your kids and family and I don’t really want to be going down that route.”
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