SPORTS ace Ally McCoist has broken his silence on “talks” around his spot in the I’m A Celeb line-up – and given two reasons he’d star on the ITV series.
The former footballer and BBC A Question Of Sport team captain, now a TalkSPORT presenter and commentator, addressed mounting speculation after reports bosses were “hopeful” for him to star.
Scots star Ally, 62, who was approached by I’m A Celeb bosses back in 2019 and 2022, initially kept things coy as he told his co-presenters “I don’t know.”
Yet his fellow broadcasters Alan Brazil and Gabby Agbonlahor weren’t letting him wriggle out of the chat that easily.
Alan suggested a potential fee and said: “A million bucks.
“If you were offered a millions bucks, wee Viv [Ally’s wife] says you’re going.”
Conceding this might be how things played out, Ally replied: “You know the drill lads, I’ll do what I’m told.”
Alan then quipped: “Pack your bags McCoist, you’re going.”
Gabby, eager for a definitive answer, probed: “You can tell us.”
The banter continued as Alan joked: I’m going to speak to Coral [betting firm] shortly, I’m going to have a bet on you.”
Taking a more tactile approach Gaby said: “Ally. You can tell us mate, we won’t tell anyone.”
Giving a second reason why he could sign up he added: “To be fair Gab, I could do with losing a stone and a half couldn’t I?”
Back in 2022, the Rangers legend told how he had rejected a spot on the critter-filled show.
And his decision is said to have infuriated his wife so much, that she temporarily stopped speaking to him.
Yet speculation resurfaced this week after it was claimed he was in “advanced talks” to star.
A source told The Mirror: “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.”
Previously, he told how the nail-bitingly gruesome challenges wouldn’t faze him.
Two years ago, he told TalkSPORT co-host Laura Woods: “The bit where you jump out of the helicopter or plane at the start – I’d like to do that.
“But then rest is downhill.
“You don’t really know until you’re there but I actually think being in the coffin with the rats and snakes – from where I’m sitting right now – I don’t think that would bother me that much.
“I’m not a fan of cockroaches.”
His former Question of Sport sparring partner Phil Tuffnell won the 2002 series with footballer John Fashanu finishing second.
