Who are Ruthie Henshall and Russell Watson? Meet the new I’m A Celebrity 2020 contestants as they enter Gwrych Castle

The newcomers joined the other 10 contestants on the hit TV show on 19 November
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Viewers of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! saw newcomers Russell Watson and Ruthie Henshall sink their teeth into an eating challenge when they joined the other contestants on 19 November.

In what the show’s producers titled Stage Fright, the classical singer and West End star made their debuts at the start of the hit reality TV programme.

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Their arrival to Gwrych Castle in North Wales was confirmed by the show’s long-time presenters - and TV royalty - Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.

Ruthie Henshall is one of two new contestants to enter I'm a Celebrity on tonight's show. (Pic: Getty Images)Ruthie Henshall is one of two new contestants to enter I'm a Celebrity on tonight's show. (Pic: Getty Images)
Ruthie Henshall is one of two new contestants to enter I'm a Celebrity on tonight's show. (Pic: Getty Images)

So who are the two new contestants bidding to become King or Queen of the castle?

Who is Ruthie Henshall?

The West End star has enjoyed the stage and featured in a long line of show stoppers from Cats and Les Miserables to Oliver, Chicago and Billy Elliott - the 53-year-old is no stranger to the spotlight.

Ruthie has thrown herself into many different roles and worked across a variety of TV shows, recorded a handful of music albums and became a published author in 2012 when her book So You Want To Be In Musicals was released.

Artist Russell Watson will also join the show. (Pic: Getty Images)Artist Russell Watson will also join the show. (Pic: Getty Images)
Artist Russell Watson will also join the show. (Pic: Getty Images)
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"I think it’s such a life experience," Ruthie told the Metro before going into the Castle.

"How often are you going to get someone coming up to you saying we’re going to put you through your paces and scare you silly and test everything about you?

“I thought it would be a real hoot and so lovely to meet a bunch of people who aren’t really in my arena.”

And added: "If someone puts me in something and I can't get out, that really freaks me out."

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The Dancing on Ice judge is clearly no stranger to a challenge and a sneak preview of her first Bushtucker trial sees Ruthie restrained in a pillory dressed as a jester and covered in rotten tomatoes.

Who is Russell Watson?

Russell is a household name in music circles and is one of the best-selling classical artists in the UK. His debut album The Voice smashed records in the UK and the US - and he achieved the rare accolade of holding No.1 spots on both sides of the Atlantic.

Described by the New York Times as a performer "who sings like Pavarotti and entertains the audience like Sinatra", the 53-year-old has been entertaining fans across the world for 20 years.

Ahead of his arrival at the castle, Russell revealed he'd been asked to do the show six times before but felt the timing was right this year.

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"I got asked at the beginning of this year, before covid, and I don’t know why, but this year it felt like a different challenge," he told the Metro.

"I fancied doing something different. I’m known for my singing and being on stage and my classical repertoire, but I don’t think anybody has really got to know my personality really well."

Not one for heights, Russell was glad to have missed the first trial which saw contestants abseil down a cliff face.

Who is in this year’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here?

The duo join Sir Mo Farah CBE, Beverley Callard, Jessica Plummer, AJ Pritchard, Giovanna Fletcher, Shane Richie, Hollie Arnold MBE, Vernon Kay, Victoria Derbyshire and Jordan North in this year’s competition.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.