A source revealed: ‘Josie is hugely popular with This Morning viewers and producers were determined to get her.
‘She is seen as the perfect person for the jungle as she’s already such a familiar face on ITV and will bring her fanbase with her.
‘She’s incredibly down-to-earth and seems to strike a cord with people at home.
‘Plus they’re confident Josie will bring the laughs to I’m A Celebrity as she already does on This Morning and is guaranteed to get on with most of the jungle campmates.’
The insider continued to The Sun: ‘For all those reasons they were hellbent on getting her.
‘And if she was lured by the glitter of Strictly, they weren’t going to let her go without a fight.’
According to the insider, Josie was in a’real quandary’ between the two popular contests, but it looks the jungle has won the race.
They added: ‘She knows both shows are hugely popular with the public and have the potential to boost anyone’s career who appears on them.’
Josie, who took over presenting This Morning alongside Holly Willoughby when Phillip Schofield abruptly stepped down, rocketed to prominence after winning Big Brother in 2010.
She was reportedly said to be ‘in discussions’ for a £100,000 contract with I’m A Celebrity producers.
The greatest payment on the programme is said to have gone to Boy George in the last series of I’m A Celebrity, which saw Lioness Jill crowned Queen of the Jungle.
The Culture Club star was reportedly paid $1 million (£879,000) to appear on the show prior to his appearance.
Meanwhile, former health secretary Matt Hancock was paid £320,000 for 30 days of jungle labour, despite claims that the total payment might approach £400,000.
The BBC declined to comment and an ITV spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity are just speculation.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
Source My Celebrity Life.
