Ruby Wax has already become one of the standout personalities of this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, bringing her trademark humour, sharp wit, and unique brand of chaotic charm into the jungle. At 72 years old, the American-British comedian has left fans both laughing and debating as she effortlessly commands attention — not only for her punchy one-liners, but also for her remarkably youthful appearance.

Ruby aged 35 holding a plate of hamburgers (after the first jungle trial she joked: "I think for those six stars we should’ve had a burger and not one of those penis things.”(TV Times/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

A curly-haired Ruby at 44, meeting Baywatch icon Pamela Anderson(BBC)

The comedian aged 47 - she claimed her TV work dried up when she hit 50 due to her age(Getty Images)

Ruby circa 2002 aged 49, at the London premiere of the film The Importance of Being Earnest(Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images)

Throughout her decades-long career, Ruby has never been one to conform, and her approach to ageing has been no exception. While some campmates have warmed instantly to her boldness, others have found her comments a little too blunt, proving once again that Ruby is a force who refuses to filter herself. Her jungle moments already include playfully scolding TikTok star Angry Ginge for “stealing her light,” sparking calls for the two to get their own show, as well as jokingly asking the camp when “room service” begins. She’s also delighted viewers with colourful celebrity anecdotes — including the time she unexpectedly shared a plane with future US president Donald Trump.

Off-screen, fans have been just as fascinated by her evolving look, especially as she continues to sport smooth skin, bright eyes, and vibrant energy well into her seventies. Ruby frequently credits her wellness routine — especially cold-water swimming — as part of her commitment to maintaining both physical and mental health. But viewers curious about how her appearance has changed over the years may be surprised to learn that Ruby has addressed cosmetic procedures only rarely and with her signature honesty.

In a 2008 interview with The Guardian, Ruby, then 56, admitted to having had “tiny bits” of cosmetic work done. She explained that modern treatments were far more advanced than in the “stone age” days of early facelifts, joking that she wasn’t sure she would ever take the leap into a full surgical overhaul. She has often spoken candidly about the pressures television places on women, noting that ageing on-screen is judged far more harshly than many expect.

With humour, she once credited her smooth complexion to an expensive moisturiser and her “good Polish skin,” referencing her Austrian Jewish parents, Edward and Berthe Wachs. She added that dermatology could erase wrinkles “in minutes,” making it clear that she embraces practical interventions alongside her genes. Over the years, she’s also mentioned receiving yearly lip enhancements and using a prescription product to stimulate eyelash growth.

Ruby has also admitted that when she noticed dark circles forming beneath her eyes, she had them removed “almost immediately,” reflecting her long-standing belief that women in the public eye are scrutinised more intensely as they age. Her discomfort with ageing has roots in her upbringing — she revealed in 2024 that her mother regularly lied about her age, turning the topic into something Ruby associated with shame from an early age.

Her candidness extends beyond cosmetic treatments. In a 2023 interview with Kate Garraway for Life Stories, Ruby spoke openly about ageism in television, claiming the BBC axed her A-list interview show because she turned 50. When asked whether the cancellation was due to age, Ruby answered without hesitation: “Of course.” She’s previously said that ageing feels like something “that happens to other people,” describing her own experience as a “constant battle” — one she faces with humour, resilience, and unapologetic honesty.

Through every phase of her career, Ruby Wax has continued to reinvent herself while refusing to let age define her. And now, as she captivates a new generation of viewers from the Australian jungle, she’s proving that her fire, fearlessness, and distinctive style are still very much intact.

---

Sources (as required):
(ITV, Instagram, The Guardian, Life Stories)