LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Former NRL forward Luke Bateman has confirmed he will appear on the upcoming season of I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, revealing he is the "rugby league Romeo" teased by Channel 10 in the lead-up to the show's premiere.
Bateman announced the news on social media ahead of Sunday night's launch, stating he would be "trading the Australian outback for the African jungle" as part of the 2026 cast.
The ex-Canberra Raiders player participated in 71 NRL games between 2015 and 2019 before retiring at the young age of 27 due to injury issues and mental health challenges.
In later years, Bateman candidly revealed his struggles with depression and gambling addiction during his time as a player.
Since leaving rugby league, Bateman's profile has unexpectedly risen.
After joining TikTok in April 2025, he quickly gained popularity, with his debut video garnering over two million views.
He has since amassed nearly 400,000 followers by sharing content centered on fantasy and romance novels, a niche that has resonated with a large audience.