AFTER much speculation, former EastEnders star Cliff Parisi has been announced as the 12th campmate to enter this year’s I’m A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here!
The actor played mechanic Minty Peterson in Albert Square and will appear on the popular ITV show later this week.
Parisi was part of EastEnders for 8 years, joining in 2002 and leaving in 2010
The 59-year-old will join the camp alongside Corrie star Andrew Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland.
I’m A Celeb bosses have opted for the soap duo as they feel they the personality to do well on the show, and will hope they last longer than Noel Edmonds who was a late entrant last year.
ITV paid the former Deal or No Deal presenter a whopping 600,000 to be on the show in 2018, even more than this year’s highest paid contestant Caitlyn Jenner, who was 500,000.
This backfired horribly as Edmonds was the first campmate to be eliminated, lasting just eight days in the jungle.
A source said: Producers are hoping Cliff and Andrew will last a bit longer than Noel, even though their fees are a lot smaller.
Parisi now stars in call the Midwife, a show he has been part of since 2012
Parisi is of Italian descent and was born in London to parents George and Irene. He also has an older sister.
After a difficult upbringing, Parisi began his career in 1982, touring the UK as a stand-up comedian.
He became interested in becoming an actor and after a series of bit-part roles he landed his first major character called Lunchbox in the TV series Chancer.
After being recommended by friend and legendary EastEnders actor Steve McFadden who plays Phil Mitchell, Parisi auditioned for the role of Minty in EastEnders and it has since become his most famous role.
After his departure from the popular BBC soap, Parisi returned to our screens in 2012.
He was a guest star in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, playing the character of Walt.
The future I’m A Celeb contestant also guest starred as Arnie in the BBC drama Hustle.
He now plays the character of Fred in Call the Midwife, a role he has assumed since 2012.
The actor is married to BBC producer Tara Wyer and and has five children, 2 with Tara and 3 from previous relationships.
