David Ginola joins I’m a Celebrity cast for 2021, but how have former players fared in the past?
- Sean Fisher
- 16 November 2021
David Ginola is the latest former player to brave the jungle - or castle - so we take a look at how well other sports stars have done on the show.
It's November - that awkward time of the year when you're counting down the days until Christmas but feel it's slightly too early to start celebrating.
But to help fill the void, the annual season of I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! rolls around, and we get to witness celebrities (mostly) endure some downright disgusting tasks.
Each season it seems like an ex-soccer player - or at least a sports star - is chosen to take part in the show, and this year is no different, with former PSG, Tottenham and Newcastle United player David Ginola set to be involved.
As it stands, Ginola is an outsider to win the show at 9/1. But is that an accurate assessment of his chances? Planet Sport looks back at former soccer star contestants to see where they finished.
John Fashanu (Season 2, 2003)
The first former soccer player to brave the jungle was John Fashanu, who took part in the second season of the show in 2003.
The former Norwich City, Wimbledon and Aston Villa man had already entered into the TV industry following his retirement, and regularly hosted game shows such as Gladiators.
As a result, he turned out to be a popular member of the I'm a Celebrity camp and finished up in second place behind fellow sportsman Phil Tufnell.
Neil Ruddock (Season 3, 2004)
The following season, another soccer player stepped into the jungle and this time it was former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur man Neil Ruddock.
Ruddock entered the show just a year after retiring from the game - he had played for Swindon Town up until 2003.
However, the audience failed to warm to Razor's laddish attitude and he finished in a lowly eighth place.
Rodney Marsh (Season 7, 2007)
After a three-year gap, 63-year-old Rodney Marsh marked the reappearance of soccer players, featuring in the seventh season of the show.
The former QPR and Manchester City player, who also made nine England appearances, was also known for presenting sports shows, including a three-year roadshow he did alongside George Best.
Marsh was mired in controversy after being sacked from Soccer Saturday in 2005 and it clearly didn't help his cause in I'm a Celebrity either. He finished seventh, although he did beat Katie Hopkins, so there's always that.
Jimmy Bullard (Season 14, 2014)
The current co-host of Soccer AM was described as the "heart and soul of the dressing room" by Paul Jewell and made 145 appearances for Wigan as well as playing for Peterborough, Fulham and Hull. He is renowned for his iconic celebration at Hull, where he wagged his fingers at his seated team-mates, imitating the time manager Phil Brown took his half-time team talk on the pitch.
Full of energy and humour, Bullard seemed to be the perfect fit for the show and was expected to do well. He didn't. He came 10th.
Kieron Dyer (Season 15, 2015)
Former Newcastle United and West Ham player Kieron Dyer has tried his hand at media work since hanging up his boots in 2013.
He recently appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, but first he was a contestant of I'm a Celebrity back in 2015.
Known for his brash and brute playing style, it's no surprise that Dyer wasn't fazed by any bugs or scares that the show had to offer. He lasted 21 days before being voted out in fourth place.
Wayne Bridge (Season 16, 2016)
Just two years after his retirement, Wayne Bridge joined the list of former players to have appeared on the show.
Most known for his time at Chelsea, Bridge also played for Southampton and Manchester City, as well as making 36 caps for England.
After lasting just short of a month on the show, Bridge was voted off, finishing fifth behind Olympic hockey player Sam Quek.
Dennis Wise (Season 17, 2017)
Another former Chelsea star to have appeared on the show, Dennis Wise was 50 when he made the trip to Australia.
In the same season that Jamie Vardy's wife, Rebekah, featured on the show, Wise managed a sixth-placed finish. Rebekah was ninth, while boxer Amir Khan finished fifth.
Harry Redknapp (Season 18, 2018)
Not afraid of a challenge, Redknapp entered the show at 71 years old and surprised many by taking part in - and completing - most challenges.
He was a hit with the British public who were won over by his love for his wife Sandra and went on to win the show ahead of Emily Atack and John Barrowman.
Ian Wright (Season 19, 2019)
Ian Wright was the last former player to feature, in 2019.
The Crystal Palace and Arsenal legend entered aged 56, having also built up a career in media as a pundit.
He was joined in the jungle by rugby player James Haskell and Olympic decathlete Caitlyn Jenner and only managed an eighth-placed finish.
