Ally McCoist is odds-on to appear on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! later this year. The Scottish football legend has been on the wishlist of ITV bosses for several years – and it looks like they may finally get their man.
The goalscorer-turned-pundit has been lauded for his positive, humourous, and knowledgeable turns on co-commentary duties. But despite approaches from I’m A Celeb chiefs in 2019 and 2022, the Rangers hero turned them down.
The Record revealed earlier this month that Super Ally was in “advanced talks” with ITV to appear in the jungle this year. And top bookies Ladbrokes have now made the dad-of-five 10/11 odds for a jungle stint when the much-loved show returns to screens.
The I’m A Celeb team are said to be “very hopeful” it’ll be the third time lucky later this year. Two years ago, McCoist was involved in negotiations, but pulled out at the last minute, with the same thing occurring three years earlier.
However, this time round insiders say they’re confident that the 62-year-old will be in this year’s line up. One source said: “Ally has such a huge fan base thanks to his years of commentating and punditry, plus his long stint on A Question of Sport. He’d be great for the jungle – as his wife and kids have been telling him forever – so everyone is really hopeful that this will be the year.”
If he does sign, he will join a line-up thought to include former pop star Tulisa Contostavlos, dancer Oti Mabuse and Corrie’s Alan Halsall.
Recently, the Scot was put on the spot over his “talks” to appear on the show and joked that one perk would be the weight he could lose from a stint in the Jungle Down Under.
The pundit, who lives in Bridge of Weir, was quizzed by talkSPORT sidekicks Alan Brazil and ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor after the rumours that he could appear as a campmate emerged. Brazil joked that if he was offered a million quid then wife Vivien will demand he agrees.
McCoist laughed, adding: “You know the drill lads – I’ll do what I’m told! To be fair, I could do with losing a stone and a half.” Agbonlahor then asked him directly: “The jungle – yes or no?” McCoist said: “I don’t know.” And Agbonlahor said: “Oh, you don’t know? That’s not a no. You can tell us Ally, we won’t tell anyone.”
Brazil added: “A million bucks. If you were up for a million, wee Viv says you’re going. Pack your bags McCoist, you’re going. I’m going to speak to Coral shortly and have a bet on you…. not to turn up. You’ll be American Express Platinum soon. An ambassador with where you’re going.”
Sports stars have a good track record on the hit ITV show, with Ally’s former Question of Sport rival Phil Tuffnell winning the 2002 series and footballer John Fashanu finishing in second place. Others to end up as King or Queen of the Jungle include footballer Jill Scott, motorcycle racer Carl Fogarty, and tennis ace Martina Navratilova.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Ally McCoist has long been linked with a stint Down Under, and I’m A Celeb chiefs finally look set to land their man, if the latest odds are anything to go by.”
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