Why is I'm a Celeb star Jordan North turning to his Lancashire roots to get him through

Being showered with creepy-crawlies in an underground tunnel is a far cry from Jordan North’s schooldays in Penwortham.
Jordan North, far right, with his fellow  camp mates in ITVs I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of here.

Photo  courtesy of ITVJordan North, far right, with his fellow  camp mates in ITVs I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of here.

Photo  courtesy of ITV
Jordan North, far right, with his fellow camp mates in ITVs I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of here. Photo courtesy of ITV

But focusing on his Lancashire roots is helping the Radio One DJ through some tough times on ITV's I’m a Celebrity ...Get me Out of Here.

Former Penwortham Priory Academy, and Preston's College, student and ex Preston radio station presenter Jordan said he focuses on his happy place, Burnley FC’s Turf Moor, to get him through the gruelling trials.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Everyone at his old high school is rooting for Jordan, who is a hit in the Welsh castle. He received messages of support from the school as he entered the contest.

Jordan North with Penwortham Priory headteacher Matt Eastham.

Photo Andy FordJordan North with Penwortham Priory headteacher Matt Eastham.

Photo Andy Ford
Jordan North with Penwortham Priory headteacher Matt Eastham. Photo Andy Ford

Priory headteacher Matt Eastham described Jordan as a “brilliant student” adding: “His personality shone in every lesson and he worked hard and gave his all. He got on with everyone and he would always share his favourite TV viewings (including his love of Coronation Street).”

That Jordan has already bonded with Corrie star Beverley Callard is no surprise for assistant head Donna Crank. His former ICT teacher recalled: “One of my many favourite memories of Jordan was when he came into lesson one day and he sat there quite quiet and subdued.

“Having left Jordan for a few minutes to see if he needed time or if he wanted to chat, he then shouted at the top of his voice ‘Oh no,I’ve forgotten to set record for Corrie tonight for me and my mum.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We all laughed and Jordan shared with the class not only how much his mum meant to him, but his love of Corrie “.

Mr Eastham, a Preston North End fan, added that that every lesson with Jordan was one to be enjoyed and he brightened up the day but recalled one special time which showed Jordan’s humour – and love of the Clarets!

He explained: “He showed his cheeky side the year Preston North End got through to the play-off final in 2005 at the Millennium Stadium against West Ham.

"Being head of PE back then, in order to support our home town club, I said that any PNE fans could wear their PNE shirts for PE lessons in the week leading up to the final.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’ll come as no surprise then to know, given Jordan’s love of Burnley, that he turned up to PE in his Burnley shirt!

“I sent him an email the other day to wish him all the best with ‘I’m a Celebrity’ – though of course he won’t get it until the experience is all over for him.

“I said, to make up for that week when I allowed everyone to come into school wearing PNE shirts – when he wins…I’ve said I’ll wear a Burnley shirt for the day.”

Matt added: “We are delighted to hear Jordan is on the show and cannot tell you enough what you are seeing is the real, true, honest, kind hearted Jordan. We wish him all the best.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Burnley FC-mad Jordan had a childhood ambition to get his own radio station.

His career started when he was a teenager, working part-time on the radio station at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

He spent his formative years at school in Burnley and moved to Preston when he was 11 attending Priory High and then Preston’s College

After studying TV & radio production at The University of Sunderland, he went on to present on student and community stations including in his home town of Preston.

He returned to his old school, in Penwortham in 2018 to hand out awards and talk to students.