Paul Gascoigne reveals reason he rejected ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! oppportunity

Paul Gascoigne has claimed he turned down the chance to appear on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The 57-year-old football legend appeared on Channel 4's reality show Scared Of The Dark last year - and even won the contest. However, he says he has rejected the opportunity to appear on ITV's I'm A Celeb.

The long-running show is days away from launching the 24th season of the series - with stars including Love Island's Maura Higgins, McFly's Danny Jones, and even former footballer Wayne Rooney's wife Coleen expected to enter the jungle to boost their profiles. But Gazza is one man who won't go into the jungle.

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Despite the fact that he reportedly requested to appear on the series in the past, he is more than happy to watch other stars undergo gruelling tasks rather than take it on himself. And he has explained exactly why he decided not to make a bid to appear on the show.

Gazza won Channel 4's Scared of the Dark last year
(Image: Jonathan Ford / Channel 4)

Speaking to his audience at his stage show, An Evening With Gascoigne in Worthing, West Sussex, on Thursday night, the footballer spilled all. According to The Sun, he said: “Well unfortunately right, this is truth to God, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, the producers wanted me to go on.

“But you had to see a psychiatrist. If you pass the psychiatrist’s test, you’re in. I failed five f***ing times! And to be honest, the first time I went to see her I was on cocaine, so she must have f***ing knew. Second time, I told her to f*** off. Third time, never wanted to f***ing see her again so didn’t really go down too well.

“When I say I’d like to go in there… once it starts… f*** me, I'm sh*t scared. I hate f***ing snakes cos I met f***ing plenty in my career!"

The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.

Gazza was stunned when he won Channel 4's Scared of the Dark last year. He was crowned the winner after spending 180 hours in complete darkness, living, eating, sleeping and completing challenges. He said at the time: "People always question my mental strength but my success on this series proves that I am strong. I was nervous going in there but having gotten this far on the series made me the happiest man around. I'm so happy. It's unbelievable. I've got my smile back. I'm a better person."

Other contestants included former boxers Chris Eubank and Nicola Adams, blind comedian Chris McCausland, actress and comedian Donna Preston, Love Island's Chloe Burrows, and Max George from boyband The Wanted. Chloe Burrows said: "The way that he has been so open about his emotions and talking about his mental health, I feel like that's probably the most remarkable thing that's happened."

And Donna Preston added: "This journey for him has been really, really hard and I think he just needs to be really proud of himself." The show was hosted by EastEnders star Danny Dyer - but was brutally axed after just one season.

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