Wayne Rooney's plans to sneak in a surprise item into camp have been exposed ahead of his appearance in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here 2026.

Manchester United and England legend Rooney has signed up for the 26th series of the ITV reality show, following in the footsteps of his wife Coleen.

The pundit has arrived in Australia after signing up for the programme, where he will take on Bushtucker trials and challenges in the jungle.

The former Birmingham City and Derby County manager enters the jungle after slimming down considerably and getting into fine shape.

Wayne Rooney will sneak in banned item in I'm a Celeb camp

Strictness around his diet will surely help Rooney survive on rice and beans but it's emerged courtesy of one of his former teammates that the five-time Premier League winner will look to smuggle an item in.

According to Nicky Butt, Rooney intends on taking in white pepper in his waistband.

Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football podcast, Butt revealed: "I was saying to him, 'What are you going to take in?' He said, 'White pepper?' I'm going to put in my band here and tip it out'.

Paul Scholes was confused by why Rooney would out for white pepper, before host Paddy McGuinness explained that the spice would be very necessary to help with flavour.

The 41-year-old won't be the first Rooney to sneak a bit of contraband into camp.

A report from The Mirror claimed that Coleen brought in collagen sachets to help keep her hair, nails and skin in good condition.

The season Coleen was in saw campmates punished for contraband as producers became aware of tea bags and seasonings. However, she appeared to hide her luxury item well and avoided sanctions before finishing second in the 2024 edition.

Wayne Rooney's I'm a Celeb salary revealed as Man United to earn less than wife Coleen

Rooney is the headliner for this year and one of the biggest names ever to sign up for the jungle programme hosted by Ant and Dec.

However, the 41-year-old will not be paid as much as his other half made from her appearance on the show.

According to @superTV247 on X, Rooney is reportedly set to earn £800,000 on I’m A Celeb. That will make him the highest-paid contestant this year by some distance, with Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson next with expected earnings of £175,000.

He is in line to earn more than Olympian Caitlyn Jenner and former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp but £700,000 less than his wife Coleen - who is the joint-highest earner alongside MP Nigel Farage.

Highest paid 'I'm a Celeb' contestants of all time revealed:

1. Coleen Rooney - £1.5m
2. Nigel Farage - £1.5m
3. Wayne Rooney - £800k
4. Noel Edmonds - £600k
5. Caitlyn Jenner - £500k
6. Harry Redknapp - £500k
7. Boy George - £500k
8. Katie Price - £450k
9. Ian Wright - £400k
10. Amir Khan - £400k