Chris Eubank and Kieron Dyer enter I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here and the boxer gets cockroaches poured over him

• New series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here kicked off on Sunday
• Chris Eubank and Kieron Dyer were the sporting celebrities who entered 
• Former boxer Eubank was 'zenned out' for the trial he was involved in
• Eubank said he got through trial because 'I used to fight for a living'
• Former Newcastle-man Kieron Dyer made a more subdued entrance

By Mark Webster for the Daily Mail

Published: 18:21 EST, 15 November 2015 | Updated: 20:19 EST, 15 November 2015

So the leaves have been polished, the benches sandpapered, the bugs fattened and the bamboo doors thrown open for another jungle adventure. 

And if Kieron Dyer was looking for a way to survive the latest series of ITV's 'I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here', he could have done no worse than check out the channel's other recent star-on-star reality series.

Just a few days ago, 'Eternal Glory' saw Matt Le Tissier, James Cracknell and Gail Emms don their not so much see-through, more see-everything speed skater onesies for the last time for the series final. And it was the former mercurial Southampton star who had some special advice for his fellow finalists on how to survive trial by television.

Ex-boxer Chris Eubank had cockroaches dumped on him as part of an 'I'm a Celebrity' trial

Eubank said he was 'zenned out' for the moment and appeared relaxed as the bugs fell on to him

Eubank gave two thumbs up afterwards and did appear flustered by the experience 

With cockroaches crawling around in his booth, ex-boxer Eubank said 'I used to fight for a living'

Pointing at a sofa he told them his idea of preparation was 'head at this end. Legs at this end. Couple of hours (sleep).' 

Mind you, he did only come third. Former badminton star Emms was the champion. But he did so having spent a lovely few weeks in the beautiful Serbian countryside by day, and a luxury hillside villa by night.

So the question is, can fellow old pro Dyer extend his run amongst the trees by learning from Le Tiss and giving it some serious hammock time?

Hammock? Kieron would be lucky! The former winger was spotted quickly as 'a sportsman' in his introduction film by Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley, who immediately picked him for his red team to go up against (not Trinny but) Susannah's yellow side. 

But in the first challenge of the show, it was Keiron who ultimately lost out in a quite literal rat race against telly's frock star.

And even worse, he was also on the losing side in a ball game. Even if the balls did happen to be floating on slug-infested water. All of which ultimately meant Kieron spent more time lying on the ground than Ashley Young at the beginning of his jungle experience.

ITV's previous celebrity gameshow, Eternal Glory, featured the likes of Matt Le Tissier and Shane Williams

Former badminton player Gail Emms won the programme, while Southampton hero Le Tissier was third

But of course the ex-England man wasn't the only sportsman who found himself in the bush, a long way from Shepherds Bush. There was one other in this year's line-up, who was also spotted as soon as his feet appeared on screen. The only question that would remain when Susannah immediately selected a man 'known for his sartorial excellence' was would Chris Eubank be able to become a team player?

Because the thing that everyone thinks they know about the former multiple champion is that he is a singular fellow who made a career in that most solo of sports. But there was nothing of the lone star about him from the very moment at the start of the show when he told us at that 'I'm just a man'.

So what we didn't get was any of the familiar showboater. But what was certainly not absent was the single-mindedness that made him such a success in the boxing ring. Although for his first challenge, he was actually more of a cage fighter.

Former Newcastle, Ipswich and England football player Kieron Dyer is also on the television programme

Dyer (second left) was in a group with Tony Hadley (left), Jorgie Porter (right) and Lady Colin Campbell

Suspended in the air in a metal box and with the prospect of 12,000 cockroaches about to keep him company, Eubank was calmness itself. Informing Ant and Dec he was 'zenned out', the biblical plague that then descended upon him left him barely ruffled.

He even had time to act as a second for fellow contestant, Hollyoaks' Jorgie Porter, who under instruction to 'take it', fashioned an emergency bandana and survived the ordeal.

Meanwhile Dyer managed to avoid throwing an insect party in his particular executive box. But he did manage to get in what is likely to be the first of many Geordie asides, for the benefit of his hosts. 'As close as Newcastle winning Silverwear', he quipped, which perhaps not surprisingly got Ant and Dec's vote.

You'd have to say,though, they are something of a captive audience. The bigger question remains, what way will the rest of the country be voting over the next few weeks?

Dyer (centre) pictured before undergoing a task in the television programme broadcast on Sunday

Dyer, who played as a midfielder, made 33 appearances for England during his career as a footballer

Well, it was just last year that Carl Fogarty became only our second winner from the world of sport. Before that, you'd have to go all the way back to series two when Phil Tufnell launched himself a very decent telly career.

So I suppose the odds are very much stacked against either Dyer or Eubank coming out as King of the jungle? And yet…

Chris Eubank took quite the reputation half-way around the world with him when he entered the undergrowth. I would suggest that by the time he emerges, the odds are he may well be 'just the man' to have a shiney crown sitting pretty on the side of his head. 

Comments (14)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now