Harry Redknapp reveals the BIGGEST surprise about appearing on I'm A Celebrity

The King of the Jungle joined Fleur East

The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East - Harry Redknapp
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 18th Aug 2020

Coming from a background of football, Harry Redknapp seemed an unlikely contestant on I'm A Celebrity when he took part two years ago, but he describes his experience on the show as life-changing, saying he, "Learnt to laugh again."

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The former football manager admitted that he'd never watched the show before taking part, saying he didn't think that it was real, hoping there would be a caravan full of food hidden around the corner!

Having never done Reality TV before, when asked what it was that REALLY attracted him to the show, known for its disgusting Bushtucker Trials, Harry confirmed it was the money that made the decision for him. "They paid me loads of money Fleur! I can't think of any other reason," Harry revealed, "It kept going up and in the end I said, 'go on then'."

During his time in the jungle, Harry said that despite feeling hungry and having to deal with the worst toilets, he actually really enjoyed his time there, meeting the other celebrities, and making friends for life.

Taking part in I'm A Celebrity took Harry back to being a football player, rather than a manager, explaining, "I started to have a laugh again, I did become a miserable git when I was a football manager to be truthful. It's hard, you're on your own, you get beat, the players are in the dressing room, you're not one of them anymore. You've gone from being a player to a manager and you've got to keep them disciplined, you can't have a laugh with them."

He went on to describe being in the jungle saying, "It took me back to being a player again, I used to have a laugh and a joke, it really did."

Having never watched the show before, Harry didn't realise that when Noel Edmonds joined later, he was hoping to stay the duration. However, that wasn't to be when just a day after telling Harry, "This (the vote) don't concern me and you, we won't be going anywhere tomorrow,"

Noel was the first one voted out, "I was shocked by that," Harry admitted, "That was the biggest surprise of all!"

The Reality of Reality TV is available every Tuesday through Apple podcasts, Spotify, the Hits Radio website and all mainstream podcast providers.

Now take a look at the Reality of Reality TV podcast episodes:

Episode 1: RuPauls' Drag Race UK winner - The Vivienne

In Episode 1 is all about RuPaul's Drag Race UK, the gruelling work involved in the show, why drag is not just fab make-up and a gorgeous body, and what REALLY happened in that 'red wig and silver dress' moment. 👀
Next episode lands Tuesday 14th July, make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out.

Episode 2: The X Factor's Janet Devlin

"Do I swallow that, or be the girl who throws up on national television?" Quite the conundrum for Janet Devlin, singer-songwriter, and finalist on The X Factor, who joins Fleur East on The Reality of Reality TV.

Episode 3: Alison Hammond

Alison Hammond has been on a lot of Reality TV shows, but there are some she wouldn't go on, Fleur East caught up with her to find out what she wouldn't go on.

Episode 4: Love Island's Amber Gill

Since leaving the famous Love Island villa, Amber has remained in the public eye, so we were over the moon to have her join The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, when she revealed how she really felt after THAT Casa Amor moment.

Episode 5: Vas J Morgan

Vas J Morgan is known for appearing on The Only Way In Essex (TOWIE) between 2014 – 2019 as well as Celebs Go Dating, so we couldn't wait to hear his realities of Reality TV.

Episode 6: JB Gill

JLS singer JB Gill admitted that they saw The X Factor almost as a last resort. The band had been working together for 18 months before they went on the programme, but as JB explained they'd tried every avenue before.

Episode 7: Harry Redknapp

Coming from a background of football, Harry Redknapp seemed an unlikely contestant on I'm A Celebrity when he took part two years ago, but he describes his experience on the show as life-changing, saying he, "Learnt to laugh again."

Episode 8: Vicky Pattison

Former Geordie Shore star and I'm a Celebrity winner, Vicky Pattison joined Fleur East to talk about her experiences of Reality TV and how two of the biggest shows she's been on differed in their support and preparation.

Episode 9: Jordan and Perri from Diversity

Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely are part of the very successful Britain's Got Talent winning group Diversity, and have opened up to Fleur East on her podcast The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East about the hate they received and how they dealt with the haters.

Episode 10: Kerry Katona

Kerry Katona needs no introduction and in her own words, 'you hear before you see her!'. Through highs and lows, husbands and children, she's been gracing our reality TV screens for almost twenty years. So in the final episode of this series of The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, she speaks openly and honestly to one of our absolute Queens of Reality TV.

Who is Harry Redknapp?

Harry Redknapp is a former footballer and football manager. He has previously managed a number of clubs including AFC Bournemouth, West Ham United, Portsmouth, and Southampton.

What is Harry Redknapp famous for?

Most recently, Harry is best-known for winning I'm A Celebrity in 2018, however before that he was known for his long career as a football manager which started back in 1987 at AFC Bournemouth.

Which TV shows has Harry Redknapp been on?

Other than being a contestant and subsequent winner on I'm a Celebrity, Harry has also taken part in a few other Reality TV shows since his win including, Gogglebox and Harry's Heroes.

What is Harry Redknapp doing now?

Harry Redknapp has now retired from being a football manager and most recently he has enjoyed taking part in Harry's Heroes, which was aired in 2019/2020. The programme is a documentary consisting of two series, which follows Harry attempting get a squad of former England international footballers back to the fitness levels required to take on a German Legends team.

What is The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?

The Reality of Reality of TV is a podcast with Fleur East who has appeared on The X Factor twice and I'm A Celebrity. Throughout the podcast she speaks to some of the biggest names around in the reality TV world, including RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner - The Vivienne, Janet Devlin from The X Factor, Amber Gill from Love Island and many more.

When is each episode of The Reality of Reality of TV released?

Each episode of The Reality of Reality of TV is released on a Tuesday, including this episode seven are now available to listen to. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any of the others!

How to listen to The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?

You can now listen to all of the available podcast episodes from the Hits Radio website, through Apple podcasts, Spotify, and all mainstream podcast providers.

Who's been on The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?

So far on the The Reality of Reality of TV podcast we’ve had The Vivienne from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Janet Devlin who appeared on The X factor and Alison Hammond who started out on Big Brother. Fleur has also been joined by Love Island 2019 winner Amber Gill, TOWIE's Vas J Morgan and JLS' JB Gill.

Catch Fleur East every weekday morning on Hits Radio from 6am. Wake The Fun up with Fleur joined by the biggest names in music, movies and entertainment.

For the biggest hits, the biggest throwbacks and incredible competitions tune into Hits Radio on our Hits Radio app, your DAB radio, Smart Speakers or online.