Hollie Arnold confirmed for I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here

Hollie, who holds Paralympic, World, Commonwealth and European Gold medals in the F46 javelin event, says she hopes to ‘inspire viewers to follow their dreams’ by appearing in the show, which starts next Sunday (November 15) on ITV, and will be held at the historic Gwrych Castle in North Wales.

Hollie, who was awarded an MBE for services to field athletics three years ago, said: “I don’t want it to be about my disability.

“Yes I have a missing arm and I am in the Paralympics, but I want to show people nothing stops me and it shouldn’t stop anyone else either.

“I hope by going on the programme, it inspires people. I want people to look and see that I am scared but I am giving it a go.”

“And now it is here, I am feeling excited. Yes it is scary, but it couldn’t have come at a better time! I can’t wait!”

Although Hollie had kept her appearance on I’m A Celebrity a secret, the 26-year-old says both her parents and boyfriend can’t wait for her to go on the show.

She continued: “I definitely am an emotional person and I probably will cry.

“I think people will understand. My Mum and Dad are really excited for this opportunity because it is something completely different.

“And when my fellow sports friends find out, I know they will also think it is incredible.

“They know me as girly girly, so they will know I am completely out of my comfort zone!”

Describing herself as an underdog, Hollie also hopes that viewers will get a chance to get to know her better.

“I am really looking forward to meeting people,” she adds. “They won’t know me and so there is the feeling of being an underdog but hopefully by sharing my stories, people will get to understand what I have achieved.”

Although she admits some of the trials will be tough, Hollie is determined to give it her best shot.

She said: “People might see me as someone who wins medals in sport, and I just hope I can use my independence and the pressures I go through with athletics in the camp and the trials! But I can’t train for this, and it’s going to be a very big challenge!”

Hollie will be appearing alongside nine other contestants, including TV presenter Vernon Kay, broadcaster and journalist Victoria Derbyshire, and Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah CBE. Other participants include Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard, ballroom dancer AJ Pritchard, and television actor Shane Richie.

• Pick up this week’s Louth Leader newspaper - out on Wednesday - for more on this story.