With Harry Redknapp swiftly becoming a favourite to win this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, fans can’t get enough of the football manager’s cheeky comments and hilarious anecdotes.
But one viewer who’s not enjoying the 71-year-old’s turn in the jungle is former contestant Eric Bristow’s widow. She’s warned that her husband “never fully recovered” from his time on the show, and admitted to fears over Harry’s health.
Darts legend Eric appeared on the 2012 series of the ITV reality show, losing four stone in the process and coming in fourth.
And his wife, Bex Gadd says he emerged from the jungle a new man – and not in a good way.
She told The Mirror: “It changed him for ever. The Eric that went in the jungle was not the same Eric that came out, unfortunately. It did make him poorly and a much frailer person. Muscles that he did have, never came back.”
Eric died from a heart attack in April, aged only 60. Bex continues: “The effects of being in the jungle took a massive toll on Eric’s health. I don’t think he ever fully recovered from it.”
And she admits to fears over Harry specifically, adding: “I do worry about Harry given he is in his 70s… It’s a big worry for the ones who are not fit, young and healthy.”
A show source dismissed concerns to The Sun, saying: “Campmates’ health is a priority. We would obviously keep in touch and monitor anybody that had an issues in the jungle.”
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It comes after Harry was reduced to tears during a visit from his wife of 54 years, Sandra.
The former Tottenham manager had triumphed in the Bush Tucker Trial before the visit, claiming the full five stars for his campmates while avoiding snakes and lizards.
Speaking about how much they missed each other, Harry broke down in tears saying: “I can’t help this, it is not like me, I don’t normally cry, I’m pretty old school. Are you pleased to see me?”
His wife said she had been suffering with the strain of being apart too, saying: “I got a bit sad the other day, I got a bit tearful because I missed you.”
Harry added: “It’s funny, 54 years and we just don’t want to be apart, that’s done me up today, I’ve missed her so much. I love you so much.”
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