First-out former footballer Jimmy Bullard accused producers of ‘stitching him up’ when he appeared in I’m A Celebrity in 2014 and more than a decade on, he wants to last longer!
15:29, 06 Apr 2026Updated 15:30, 06 Apr 2026
Jimmy Bullard is back for another go on I’m A Celebrity All Stars
Mad-cap Jimmy Bullard has some lost time to make up for when he returns to the I’m A Celebrity jungle tonight. The colourful former Fulham, Wigan and Hull City footballer left viewers in fits of giggles when he went into the jungle in 2014, but he lasted a matter of days when things turned sour and he became the first star to get the boot.
Jimmy said at the time that he thinks he knew the reason why. He accused show bosses of fixing the show to make him look like a bully – but he has put all that behind him as he returns for the All Star series in South Africa, which kicks off on Monday night.
The series, which was filmed last year, boasts a cast that features several big names including Olympian Mo Farah, Essex diva in Gemma Collins and and a King and a Queen of the Jungle – Harry Redknapp and Scarlett Moffatt. Jimmy’s back for more, but will he last a little longer this time? We take a look at his first time on the show and his life since.
‘Stitched up by producers’
He wasn’t really in the mood to celebrate last time(Image: Nigel Wright)
The former footballer claimed he was “stitched up” by producers during his first stint, who he felt turned him into a villain just to boost ratings.
Jimmy, 36 when he went on the programme 12 years ago, went from being the runaway favourite to win the show to the first star to be sent home. He wasn’t happy, and hit out after the dust had settled on his early exit.
He fumed: “It was edited to make me look bad. If people had been allowed to see the real me, I would still be in there. It was a stitch-up. I’ve seen some clips and have seen how different it has been shown.”
Bullying row
Jimmy Bullard’s life off camera as he returns to I’m A Celebrity after ‘bullying’ row(Image: Daily Post Wales)
Now he is heading back in despite his early exit last time(Image: PA)
During his first spell, a bit of banter between two of the guys in the jungle sparked a full scale bullying row. Former footballer Jimmy was accused of repeatedly picking on his fellow campmate Jake Quickenden.
Jake was fresh out of The X Factor when he appeared on I’m A Celeb and faced repeated jabs from camp joker Jimmy about how he’d managed to bag a place on the show.
“Why the f**k are you in here? What are you? What sort of skill have you got?,” he teased. From what fans saw, the singer sat back and took the stick – but that is far from how it all went down. Fans were less forgiving towards Jimmy, and he ultimately became the first contestant eliminated, despite being the show’s primary source of entertainment.
Jake said it was all just playful fun, telling the Daily Express: “It was mad. I absolutely love Jimmy and he was my best mate in there. All we did all day was take the p**s out of each other.”
Golf ban after stunt
The talented golf player had to find a new course! (Image: Getty Images)
For a man who loves golf, a ban from his favourite club came as a huge blow.
Tipsy Jimmy was barred for upsetting members at upmarket Sunningdale Golf Club by using a beer bottle as a makeshift tee at the first hole.
He said: “I’m not allowed to go again. I had a few drinks and I got carried away. I put a Peroni off the first tee and clipped a ball off it. It’s obviously not the thing to do, so I apologise.”
Iconic celebration
Who could forget that wagging finger?(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
He had a great career, and the joker is perhaps remembered most for how he celebrared a goal. After a poor first half performance which resulted in Phil Brown taking Hull City’s half-time team talk on the pitch in a game against Manchester city the previous season, Hull wanted to put up a better fight during their match in 2008.
Hull were given a penalty in the second half at 1-0 down, Jimmy Bullard stepped up to take the penalty for the away side.
He celebrated by gathering his team-mates in a circle and mimicked the telling off boss Brown gave his team the following season. One of the cheekiest and funniest celebrations ever.
I’m A Celeb All Stars launches tonight, at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. It will air every weeknight for three weeks, with the live grand final falling on Friday, April 24.
