WHEN Ian Wright appears on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! he will join a list of former footballers who have already tried to brave the jungle.
The Arsenal legend is the ninth from the sport, when the hit ITV show kicks off this Saturday.
And he’s already been warned by last year’s winner Harry Redknapp that he will have to curb his temper if he is to win some Bushtucker Trials.
Here’s a look back at past contestants from the football world who weren’t afraid to eat maggots or even flash their backsides.
JOHN FASHANU
The Wimbledon legend was hard as nails on the pitch.
In 2003, with a TV audience knowing him well after a stint as a presenter of Gladiators with Ulrika Jonsson, he appeared in the second series of I’m A Celeb… and finished second to Phil Tufnell.
Fash already warned viewers before the show that he was afraid of heights, but he was handed the cruelest of Bushtucker Trials.
The former striker had to bob his head into a Perspex box of water, picking out stars with his teeth as eels were fired into it from either side.
“That was hell,” he admitted after the challenge. “Whoever thought of that I’d like to meet in a dark alley.”
NEIL RUDDOCK
‘Razor’ Ruddock had a miserable time in the jungle.
In a series that contained perhaps the biggest celebs ever in Katie Price, Peter Andre, Kerry Katona, and John Lydon, the former Spurs defender was the third contestant voted out.
But that wasn’t before he faced a Trial called Fill Your Face alongside Price.
The pair had their heads in a fish bowl that was filled with all sorts of creepy crawlies.
However, that didn’t deter the two – who won enough stars to feed the entire camp, which left Lord Brocket delighted.
RODNEY MARSH
QPR legend Marsh was always going to get himself into some sort of controversy.
And he became the fifth contestant to be voted off the show in 2007 after he rowed with Lynne Franks, was accused of sexist jokes, and flashed his bum.
“I acted like a five year old kid sometimes. I don’t apologise. What you see is what you get,” he told Ant and Dec in his post-eviction interview.
On Franks he said: “I despise everything she stands for. I think it is fair to say that she irritated me.”
JIMMY BULLARD
After Rodney Marsh’s outbursts and moods, we had to wait seven years for another footballer on the show.
And we weren’t disappointed when it was the instantly loveable Bullard.
However, his cheeky chappy status on the football pitch didn’t translate to the TV screens, where Bullard was the third celebrity voted off by the viewers.
Before he was given the boot, we saw him eat sheep’s testicles and memorably sing naked in the shower with Jake Quickenden.
KIERON DYER
The former Newcastle United footballer immediately won over viewers when he announced he was donating his I’m A Celeb… fee to charity.
He was thrust into the deep end with a horrific challenge called ‘Scarier 52’ in which he had to trawl through a room filled with rotten meat and flies and find two stars.
It all got a bit too much Dyer, who broke down and almost quit the show after everyone turned on Lady Colin Campbell.
But Chris Eubank talked him into staying, and Dyer finished a respectable fourth in the end.
WAYNE BRIDGE
The former Chelsea full back appeared on the 16th series of I’m A Celeb… in 2016, and didn’t disappoint.
Bridge finished fifth after a shock double elimination with Martin Roberts just two nights before the final.
From the offset, he had to confront his fears – skydiving into the jungle from 10,000 feet.
He made friends with Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb, breaking down in tears when he discussed his family life.
Bridge also tussled with creepy-crawlies, which he hated.
DENNIS WISE
In 2017, another former Chelsea star took on all I’m A Celeb… could throw at him.
Former Blues captain Wise made it to day 19 before he was booted off the show, but he had to bat off suggestions he was a bully after telling Iain Lee he shouldn’t do a Bushtucker Trial in case he failed because he wasn’t good enough.
Good guy Wise got Iain tickets for Chelsea for him and his kids, and the pair became friends the moment they stepped out the jungle.
The fiery midfielder also had to put up with repeated digs from presenters Ant and Dec about his height, although he was proven to be just as tall when the show ended.
HARRY REDKNAPP
The king of the jungle last year, Wrighty has a lot to live up to after the former Tottenham manager’s exploits.
Redknapp became an instant favourite with the viewers gushing about missing wife Sandra, his love of a jam rolly-polly and fearless attitude towards tasks, as well as a cold shower.
The West Ham legend even proved that he could stomach anything when he shoved a load of maggots in his mouth and chomped on them.
A worth-winner, Redknapp is the benchmark for future footballing contestants.
Can Wright follow in Harry’s footsteps?
