From his prime suggestions for surviving the meals challenges to the hidden spot free from cameras and microphones, former jungle champion Phil Tufnell reveals all.
Former campmate Phil Tufnell insists a gameplan is a surefire method for campmates to fail. He additionally reveals how he realized to deal with the difficult dishes, and why his luxurious merchandise was the perfect factor to sneak in.
With the likes of Kelly Brook, Aitch and Martin Kemp getting into the I’m a Celeb jungle in 2025, former winner Phil Tufnell has shared his prime recommendation for this yr’s line-up.
In an unique interview with on-line on line casino Betway, former cricketer Phil – who was topped King of the Jungle over 20 years in the past in 2003 and in addition appeared on I’m A Celeb All-Stars in 2023 – reveals that whereas the acute eating regimen of rice and beans might have seen him shed a surprising quantity of weight, he discovered a secret weapon to make the dishes extra edible.
What recommendation do you will have for IAC contestants this yr?
Go in there and be your self. React how you’ll usually react to any scenario you’re confronted with. Should you’re attempting to power something or undertake a sure persona by doing one thing that isn’t pure to you, you begin dwelling in a parallel universe. You possibly can begin tripping your self up and the viewers from residence aren’t silly!
Attempt to hold a smile in your face. When these down days come, attempt to say to your self, “What an incredible expertise.” That’s what you’ve obtained to maintain considering. Lots of people cellphone me up and say, “Oh I’ve been requested to do the jungle, ought to I do it?” And I say sure each single time. Will probably be top-of-the-line experiences of your life.
How did you discover your time within the jungle in 2003?
I actually beloved it. I believe we had been very naive as a result of we had been solely on the second collection of the present. It was early days, so every thing was new, however all of us obtained on nicely collectively. I dipped out and in of watching the primary collection, so I didn’t have a clue what I used to be going to be confronted with. Individuals would pay hundreds for the same adventure-type vacation, in order that was my outlook. I knew I wanted to take pleasure in it as a lot as I might!
It was scary stepping into, however over time we simply began to take pleasure in every thing about it. I felt excited as a result of I used to be going into the unknown. All of us turned up on the Versace Lodge buzzing. This yr’s solid will nonetheless be settling in and attending to know one another, however they are going to be buzzing to be on the journey.
How did you cope with starvation and the way a lot weight did you lose?
I believe I misplaced a couple of stone. There’s not a lot of me to lose both. We obtained some humorous previous bits of possum to eat and creatures I’ve by no means even heard of. And that was the reward after we received the challenges!
The rice and beans did get a bit sporting. However what I missed probably the most was a cup of tea or a cup of espresso within the mornings. You miss the style of issues. Aside from that, I had a good time.
Was there something you snuck into the jungle that you just couldn’t stay with out?
I didn’t sneak something in, however I took a pillow as my luxurious merchandise. I’ve to credit score my spouse for the thought. My nickname is cat as I like snoozing. A number of the campmates took in tweezers, however my pillow was a godsend as a result of the bunks had been that snug, so it helped me snuggle down and get some good relaxation.
I slept very nicely. I believe it’s since you’re out within the open, you haven’t had lots of grub, and also you could be a bit of bit dehydrated. You’re excited and drained and you’ve got all this adrenaline after doing a trial.
You reside by the sunshine too. When it goes darkish, everybody simply flakes out and when it’s morning, you stand up. There might have been a couple of snorers, however by the point they had been loud night breathing, I used to be already asleep.
Did you assume you’d be topped King of the Jungle?
I by no means gave it a second’s thought. It was solely on the last meal with John Fashanu that I actually realised I used to be within the last and in with an opportunity of profitable. I by no means went in there with a plan. That’s when folks threat failing. Once they have a plan.
Do you assume more moderen winners of the present have had a sport plan?
I believe it’s simply pure. It’s been on for fairly some time now. Individuals may assume, “Oh if I do that, I’d get additional.” However we had been solely within the second collection, so all of us went in with no expectations and our eyes extensive open.
I by no means had a plan. I simply needed to maintain a smile on my face for so long as I might. I believe it was fairly useful that I used to be a sportsman. I’ve spent all my profession in dressing rooms and on excursions with numerous different folks all over the world. So to be in such shut quarters with folks was pleasurable, not annoying.
I loved assembly new folks and if somebody obtained a bit down, I attempted to choose them up. It was all fairly simple for me.
What was probably the most disgusting factor you probably did whereas on the present?
The dunny, it was terrible. The humorous factor concerning the dunny is the burden of it. You place the lid on after which it’s a must to lug it down a path to get it taken away. And the motion of it, oh god! That wasn’t nice.
I didn’t like consuming any of the bugs both. We had been nonetheless allowed to eat bugs and grubs that had been alive. It was very unusual to eat one thing that was nonetheless wriggling round on the plate. I might shut my eyes and get it down me shortly.
How did you get on along with your campmates and the way did you address tense moments in camp?
I believe we had been very fortunate as a gaggle. All of us tried to get on as a lot as we might. There have been a couple of moments when somebody was having a nasty day. I observed rather a lot was folks getting homesick too, which is pure. It’s regular to overlook your family members again residence.
I wouldn’t say there have been lots of tense moments, however there have been down moments every now and then. You needed to study to learn these completely different conditions. Be taught when to provide folks a little bit of house, and allow them to type themselves out after which you’ll be able to attempt to deliver them again into the group. If somebody has fallen out with somebody, I might say, “Come on, we’re in right here for a superb time not a very long time. Let’s attempt to have a little bit of amusing”.
Did you end up lacking residence?
You need to know your loved ones is okay, however my spouse Daybreak had a stunning time within the Versace lodge! I solely obtained to spend two days there, that was the one disappointing factor.
Do it’s a must to have your mic on always?
You’ll be able to take your mic off at evening if you fall asleep. However there are mics dotted round and below your mattress. There aren’t any cameras or mics within the dunny! However you’re just about at all times being filmed and watched.
How was it returning to the present for All Stars in South Africa?
It was nice to do it in a unique place and Kruger Nationwide Park is an unimaginable place to be. Baboons had been operating about, it was wonderful. Eagles had been flying above you and there have been vultures within the bushes. Once you had been strolling to get the water, you’d see deer and all these unimaginable animals. It was fairly scary, however you’re well-protected.
The meals obtained on my nerves a bit extra. I forgot how terrible the rice and beans had been. My first time on the present, the meals was truly first rate. Once we obtained handled to dinner after profitable sufficient stars, it was fairly good.
We’d have these bizarre meals we’ve by no means had earlier than, and generally bits of seafood, however we had the chef Antony Worrall Thompson with us. That’s my one advice when you go on the present. Be sure you have a chef with you for so long as potential. When Anthony left, all of us simply threw the rice and beans within the pot and stirred it round. However he would work his magic.
Throughout All Stars, Myleene was superb at cooking too. She would fry the rice and that made it rather a lot higher.