I’m a Celebrity 2023 is in full swing over in Australia. This year, there are no sports stars in the jungle just yet, despite the long list of them to enter I’m a celebrity in the past.
With the likes of Nigel Farage, Nella Rose, and Marvin Humes in the jungle this year, there’s bound to be endless drama.
Despite rumours of various sports stars making their way to Australia for this year, none have entered so far.
However, the good news for sporting lovers is this is about to change as top horse racing jockey – Frankie Dettori – and former boxer Tony Bellew have now been confirmed as the late entries and will join the campmates from Thursday.
Let’s look back at past sports stars in the jungle in years gone by.
Football
A whole host of former footballers have entered the jungle, flying the flag for sports stars in I’m a Celebrity. John Fashanu, Neil Ruddock, Rodney Marsh, Jimmy Bullard, Kieron Dyer, Wayne Bridge, Dennis Wise, Harry Redknapp, Ian Wright, David Ginola, and Jill Scott.
John Fashanu was the first footballer to enter the jungle, way back in season two of the hit ITV show. Fashanu finished second, behind another sports star, Phil Tufnell.
Two people that managed to go a step further than Fashanu are Redknapp and Scott. In their respective years in the jungle, they were crowned King and Queen of the jungle.
Rugby
James Haskell and Mike Tindall are the only two rugby players to enter the jungle. A sport known for its tough men, we might see more enter I’m a celebrity soon.
Tindall of course flies the flag for sports stars in I’m a Celebrity and members of the royal family in I’m a Celebrity.
Cricket
Phil Tufnell was used to battling with the Aussies during his long cricket career. One rival had said to him: “‘Hey Tuffers, can you lend me your brain? I’m building an idiot!” This time he wasn’t going to be defeated by the Aussies.
Tuffers won the second season of I’m a Celebrity and became the first sports star to do so. His humour was on show for everyone to see, and the public lapped it up.
Petition for Phil Tufnell to teach time travel theories in school #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/jLNWp6hB04
— I’m A Celebrity… (@imacelebrity) April 28, 2023
Tennis
Another sport to only have one sports star in I’m a Celebrity is tennis. Former world number one, Martina Navratilova, finished runner-up behind Joe Swash in season eight.
Boxing
Nigel Benn, Joe Bugner, David Haye, Amir Khan and Chris Eubank Sr have all gone toe-to-toe with I’m a Celebrity.
None of these managed to be crowned the King of the Jungle, but they left us with lasting memories. Khan, who finished fifth, produced one of the most iconic moments in the history of the show. After completing a challenge, he and his fellow campmate ate the strawberries that had been won for camp. They then lied about winning the task to the rest of the team.
🍓”Even the strawberries tasted nice!” – Amir Khan on his jungle experience🌴 pic.twitter.com/p7IZUrBCKk
— BBC Asian Network (@bbcasiannetwork) January 10, 2018
Haye finished third in his season of I’m a Celebrity, the best of any boxer to enter the jungle. Tony Bellew will be entering this years show, will he go any further than Haye and win the jungle?
Olympians
A host of Olympic athletes have entered the jungle and become the sports stars in I’m a Celebrity. Linford Christie, Fatima Whitbread, Diane Modahl, Rebecca Adlington, Sam Quek, Kadeena Cox, Matty Lee, Hollie Arnold, Caitlyn Jenner, and Mo Farah.
Out of all the Olympians to take part, Fatima finished the highest, taking bronze in her season. She also took bronze in the All-Star season in South Africa. Fatima is remembered for the “Ironwoman” nickname she was given by Antony Cotton.
The most high-profile star, from any industry, was Caitlyn Jenner. Formerly a gold medal decathlon athlete and was previously married to Kris Kardashian. Her appearance in the jungle was seen as a big coupe for the show.
Darts
The world of darts is full of great characters. Despite that, there has only ever been one darts player representing sports stars in I’m a Celebrity.
Eric Bristow, “The Crafty Cockney”, was in season 12 of I’m a Celebrity, finishing fourth. The five-time World Champion didn’t start a trend of darts players entering the jungle, maybe that’ll change in years to come.
Horse Racing
Jockey Willie Carson entered the jungle the season before Bristow. Like Bristow, he’s the only person from the world of horse racing to enter the jungle prior to 2023.
Frankie Dettori will be the next jockey to take part in the show as the 52 year-old has entered the jungle as a late entry from Thursday.
Motorsports
Despite covering a wide range of disciplines, only one motorsport driver as gone on I’m a celebrity. FIM legend superbiker, Carl Fogarty, won the jungle in season 14, beating Jake Quickenden to the finish line.
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