The Chase’s Anne Hegerty to challenge very personal fear on I’m a Celebrity

She shot to fame on The Chase in both the UK and Australia and now popular Chaser Anne Hegerty, aka ‘The Governess’, is heading into the jungle for the UK version of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!

The 60-year-old TV star and mastermind landed in Australia on Tuesday ahead of her stint on the show – months after she revealed her biggest fear of going on a reality TV show in an exclusive chat with Starts at 60.

Showing off a completely new look, far from her stern appearance on the quiz show, Anne dressed down for the long-haul flight in a loose t-shirt and black cardigan while appearing fresh-faced and flashing a radiant smile as she greeted fans and reporters at the gates.

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But the appearance comes with a huge challenge for the star. Speaking to Starts at 60 in February, she said she hadn’t signed up for any reality TV shows at the time – but should she choose to in the future, her biggest fear would be her autism affecting the way she interacts with her fellow stars.

Asked if she’d go on a reality TV show at the time, she said:”I would never rule it out but it would have to be the right sort of thing.”

Anne Hegerty AKA The Governess touches down in Brisbane for #IAC2018 (pretty sure this stuff would've landed me an award in digital journalism 10 years ago) pic.twitter.com/SVvSQW2aPc

— Andrew Jameson (@finbarjameson) November 12, 2018

However, she added: “As an autistic person, I value my space, I can’t be around people too much, so that could be a problem. You never know.”

Anne has since appeared on a promo video for the UK TV show, admitting: “I feel I seem to have spent most of my life avoiding anything that might possibly resemble camping outdoors… Why am I even doing this?”

REVEALED: Our 2018 Campmates! ⭐

The Jungle fun begins Sunday at 9pm on @itv and @wearestv. #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/7dj9YgHoj9

— I'm A Celebrity… (@imacelebrity) November 12, 2018

She added: “I’m sure I will annoy people immensely. I think I’m capable of being deeply annoying… I’m kind of hoping this is going to be a bit of a learning curve.”

However, Anne promised: “The Governess will not let anything stop her.”

She will join the likes of TV host Nick Knowles and football manager Harry Redknapp in the Aussie jungle, with Declan Donnelly and Holly Willoughby hosting the show as a double act for the first time.

Anne shot to fame after joining the cast of The Chase in 2010, and has become one of the most popular Chasers on the program.

The wild challenges of the jungle are a far cry from her usual battleground in the television studio, but if her success in the Chaser’s seat is anything to go by, she’ll certainly be a formidable contestant.

And Anne isn’t likely to have any qualms about the tough conditions contestants are usually placed under either, with makeshift showers and none of the luxuries of home life, having previously told Starts at 60 she’s always relied on her brain rather than her looks to get through life.

Speaking about breaking into the entertainment industry later in life, she said it much easier knowing she had the smarts to keep her career thriving as she enters her 60s.

Read more: The Chase’s Anne Hegerty joins British ‘I’m a Celebrity’ cast: Report

“There’s an awful lot of women who start out young, and then they get older and find they’re less in demand,” she said. “It’s very unfair, but it’s because there always was a slight element of them being attractive, and looking after themselves, and that’s not a thing I’ve ever done, to put it bluntly!”

“It is unfair for women, when they get to middle age and certainly in the media business, how many people just aren’t interested anymore. Game shows are largely watched by older women, so they see someone that looks like them. It can have a powerful effect.”

Are you a fan of ‘The Chase’ star? Could you go on a reality TV show like this?