Who is Craig Charles? I’m a Celebrity South Africa contestant and actor
Craig is returning after being forced to leave his previous season early.
There isn't long to go before I'm a Celebrity... South Africa returns for a second episode tomorrow night, and there are some surprises in store for viewers.
As teased at the end of tonight's episode, Gemma Collins and Craig Charles will be entering the jungle as late entries, both of whom appeared on the same series during their original stint.
This year's celebrity cast is made up of a number of famous faces who have taken part on previous seasons of the show, with the all stars heading to South Africa to slum it in camp and undergo gruelling trials all in the hopes of being crowned the I'm a Celebrity Legend.
Among those joining the line-up for the show's second season is sci-fi and soap actor Craig Charles, but what has he been up to since he last appeared on the show? Here's everything you need to know about him.
Who is Craig Charles?
Age: 61
Job: Actor and DJ
Instagram: @craigcharlesfunkandsoul
Craig Charles is a 61-year-old actor turned radio DJ from Liverpool. He began his career as a stand up comedian but began acting in 1988 as Dave Lister in the science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf, for which he has appeared in every episode.
Then in 2005, he joined the main cast of Coronation Street, playing taxi driver Lloyd Mullaney, a role he held for 10 years until 2015 when he left to film new episodes of Red Dwarf.
He has also done multiple TV presenting jobs including Robot Wars and Channel 5's Gadget Show, as well as providing the English voice-over commentary for the Japanese game show Takeshi's Castle.
Throughout his career, Craig has worked in radio, focusing on funk and soul, and since October 2021, has hosted the weekday afternoon show on BBC Radio 6 Music.
What season of I’m a Celebrity was Craig Charles on?
Craig was on the 14th season of I’m a Celebrity in 2014 but had to leave the jungle after only four days after the sudden death of his brother, Dean. He's returned to the show in the hope of finally getting the full I'm a Celeb experience.
Why is Craig Charles returning to I’m a Celebrity?
Craig Charles has always had a lot of "what ifs" about how well he could have done on I'm a Celebrity has he not had to leave early.
He explained: "The death of my brother, Dean, changed my life the last time I was on I’m A Celebrity... I was 50 at the time, my brother was 52, I had been in Corrie for 10 years and I came in to do the jungle, then Dean passed away. It made me re-evaluate things. I just thought if that had happened to me, would I be happy with what I’d achieved?
"I came up with the answer and it was ‘no’. I had been in Corrie for 10 years and I felt in a rut. I was really enjoying my time in the Australian jungle and it got sadly cut short. I knew I wanted to have some new adventures after that. But since I left, there have been years of ‘What ifs?’ It’s nice to put that to bed."
I'm a Celebrity... South Africa continues on Tuesday 7 April at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Add I'm a Celebrity... South Africa to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
