Ashley Roberts, the 44-year-old pop star and radio DJ, is currently a contestant on the 2026 series of I’m a Celebrity… South Africa. Known for her time with the Pussycat Dolls from 2001 to 2010 and again in 2019, Roberts has returned to reality television after previously being a runner-up in the 2012 season of I’m a Celebrity in Australia.
In her latest stint, Roberts has expressed that she is “still traumatised – probably more now than even before” by the challenges faced on the show. She had initially declined to participate in the series two years prior, but ultimately decided to take on the challenge, stating, “When I got the call, I knew it was going to be nuts again, but what a beautiful gift the programme gave me and so I said ‘yes’.”
Roberts has described the trials as being more extreme than in previous seasons, noting that “everything was more extreme, more dirty, bigger portions, like, nastier, smellier, just everything taken to the nth degree, times ten.” This year, contestants are facing daunting challenges, including a cliff-edge jigsaw challenge at 140 feet and a bridge challenge at 150 feet.
Aside from her reality TV appearances, Roberts has been active in the music industry, releasing a new single and embarking on a world tour as of March 2026. She has also been a presenter for Heart Radio since 2019, specifically for Heart 00s since 2022.
Roberts has previously showcased her versatility on television, having appeared on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and served as a judge on Dancing on Ice. Her participation in I’m a Celebrity… South Africa is seen as a way to challenge herself further, as she expressed a desire to prove herself by participating in the show.
As the series progresses, fans and observers are keen to see how Roberts will cope with the remaining challenges and whether her experience will lead to a different outcome compared to her previous participation. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact nature of the challenges ahead and the impact they may have on her mental and physical well-being.
