Meet Kadeena Cox - I'm A Celebrity 2021 star and parasport athlete

Recent scenes saw Kadeena break down in tears as she went head-to-head with fellow contestant Arlene Phillips in the Bed Chamber Of Chills trial, which saw the pair plunged into darkness to compete for stars as snakes slithered over them.

The Paralympian, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis seven years ago, recently revealed she made sure I’m A Celebrity 2021’s trials would be adapted so she can take part ahead of her arrival.

"That actually was one of my biggest fears and one of the reasons I probably didn't want to do the show, because I didn't want to be that person that would be exempt from loads of trials," Kadeena told RadioTimes.com.

"I've always been a person who is more about what I can do rather than what I can't do, but I have spoken with the team and we talked about ways in which we can adapt things and ways in which we can make sure I can do the trials without having to miss opportunities," she continued.

"So [there are] things in place so that I can do the trials, which is great. And it's great that the team have worked so closely with me to make sure that I won't have to feel like my disability is holding me back."

So, without further ado, here is all you need to know about I'm A Celebrity's Kadeena Cox.

Who is Kadeena Cox?

Age: 30

Job: Paralympic athlete

Instagram: @kad21

Twitter: @kad_c

The Leeds-born athlete – who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis seven years ago – is known for competing in T38 sprints and C4 para-cycling events.

Alongside her athletic triumphs, Cox took part in the BBC’s Celebrity MasterChef in 2021 and won. She also took part in The Jump in 2017 and The Great Celebrity Bake Off in 2018.

Before she began filming on I’m A Celebrity 2021, Kadeena said: “My mum thinks I am crazy to be doing it too and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but I am also really looking forward to meeting some new people from different walks of life.”

Kadeena went on: “It will be good to push your body in a different way. It will also be good to be out of that head space of constantly trying to get that one per cent extra gain.”

What has Kadeena Cox achieved as a Paralympian?

The sprinter and cyclist is a four-time Paralympic gold champion and recently represented Great Britain in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, she competed in Cycling and Athletics and won two gold medals at the velodrome in the Mixed 750m Team sprint C1–C5 and the 500m time trial C4-C5. Cox now holds four Olympic gold medals after previously winning two at Rio 2016.

Cox was awarded an MBE in 2017 for services to athletics.

What has Kadeena Cox said about joining I’m A Celebrity 2021?

“Going on I’m A Celebrity is something so different for me and it’s completely out of my comfort zone,” Cox said ahead of the show.

“As a Paralympian, you are always trying to get that one per cent extra all the time and defending my title earlier this year in Tokyo was the hardest thing I have ever had to do but I think going into the castle is going to be far harder mentally.”

Speaking about how it will be worth putting her training on hold to take part in the show, she added: "It will be good to push your body in a different way. It will also be good be be out of that head space of constantly trying to get that one per cent extra gain."

On what it would mean for her to win, Kadeena added: "If I were to win I’m A Celebrity as a disabled person and show that I can overcome things, then I think that would be a great thing to show that people with all disabilities can do things".

I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! is airing on ITV and ITV Hub.

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