Wayne Rooney did not greet his wife Coleen on the famous I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here bridge after she finished second on the reality TV show this year – but he recorded a touching video message for her beforehand.

Coleen finished as runner-up on the 2024 series of I’m A Celeb on Sunday, with McFly singer Danny Jones winning the public vote. Having narrowly missed out on being named the new Queen of the jungle, the mum-of-four said beforehand: “Knowing that I have made it to the final makes me proud. I’m a proud mum, I’m a proud wife, I’m a proud daughter.”

The 38-year-old was reduced to tears when she was reunited with two of her sons – Klay, 11, and Cass, 6 – in the ITV show’s finale. But while their children flew to Brisbane, Australia, a fortnight ago to ensure they could pay Coleen a surprise visit in the jungle, Manchester United legend Wayne avoided the trip.

The former England striker, currently managing Plymouth Argyle in the Championship, has been back at home during the show’s latest run in the hope of turning around his side’s fortunes as they battle to get out of the relegation zone. Since Coleen entered the jungle, Argyle have suffered two heavy defeats to Norwich City and Bristol City, and drawn to Watford.

That leaves them 22nd in the table and just inside the drop zone, with Rooney having been appointed as the club’s head coach back in May. His team didn’t play on Saturday as their game against Oxford United was called off due to Storm Darragh, meaning he ended up with a free weekend to catch the final I’m A Celeb episodes on TV at least ahead of Tuesday’s crucial visit from Swansea City.

The Red Devils icon did, though, make an appearance on the show in the form of an emotional video message along with his sons Kai, 15, and Kit, 8, urging fans to vote for his wife.

“Hi Col, we just want to wish you all the best in the final tonight, we’ve all been so proud of you,” said the 39-year-old. “You’ve shown everyone who you really are and your character.

“No matter what you’ll be our queen, no matter what happens we’re all really excited to see you. All the best, we love you.”

Coleen was joined by two of her sons in the jungle while Wayne stayed in England
In Wayne’s absence, their other two sons Klay and Cass made an appearance on last Friday’s episode, as they surprised the TV personality in the middle of the jungle, leaving her in tears. They were then reunited with their mother in Sunday’s final.