‘Got a good laugh’: How Geelong Cats legend Zach Touhy almost missed out on ‘I’m a Celeb’ gig

Retired Geelong defender Zach Tuohy has revealed the split-second moment he almost missed out on heading into the jungle, mistaking a casting email for spam.

Retired footy star Zach Tuohy is taking on the jungle as part of ‘I’m a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here!’ Picture: Getty Images

Zach Tuohy thought the approach to appear on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here! was misdirected promotional spam.

The retired 288 game Geelong and Carlton defender had a chuckle when he received an email not long after the end of the 2024 season.

“It was funny, I got an email and it just had I’m a Celebrity.... Get Me out of Here! as the tag line in the email,’’ he said.

“At a glance I assumed it was just a promotional email from Foxtel or something and I went into it and actually got a good laugh out of it. I was very flattered that the opportunity was even being considered. I can remember calling my wife (Bec) and her reaction was you have to do it, go for it. I was a bit more stand-offish about it but as usual she got her way.”

Tuohy, who has spent the past two months back home in Ireland, is one of footy’s greatest success stories.

Retried Geelong defender Zach Touhy thought the approach to appear the reality series was misdirected promotional spam. Picture: Alison Wynd

He’s keen to join the media post-career but never imagined his first gig would be on a television show like this being filmed in South Africa.

“This is another level, I genuinely never considered it would be a possibility. I genuinely am flattered because typically this is stuff that’s reserved for profiles far bigger than mine so I’m very keen to get it done,’’ he said.

“I’m virtually terrified of everything. I don’t like snakes, spiders, I don’t even eat much fish much less what they’ll feed us in there. This is a terrible idea but f... it let’s do it.”

Tuohy says his former Cats premiership teammates will be “properly caught off guard”.

He only told his wife and parents.

“I’ve told my wife to record and document as many reactions as you can get,’’ he said.

“I’m kind of excited to see what the reception is. None of my close friends know but it’s been quite easy to keep it under wraps. The call getting the reactions when I come out will be fun.

Zach Tuohy is heading into the jungle to take part in the latest season of ‘I'm a Celeb’. Picture: Channel 10

Former Cat Zach Tuohy is keen to join the media post-footy. Picture: Alison Wynd

“It’s a strange chapter for the next edition of the book. I’m really keen, it’s going to be so much fun.

“I was fully aware that retirement was coming for me the last few years. It hits you at different times, but I felt really prepared for retirement and I know my own personality what I need to be ok and not hit the cliff that a lot of players hit. That for me is going to be some kind of physical challenge which this will be, but even more long term I’ll play a bit of football and get back on the bike. For me in six months time if I don’t have a physical goal to chase, that’s when I might struggle. I know myself well enough to know what I need to do.”

Tuohy has signed to play for Bacchus Marsh next season and will return home after the jungle with Bec and their two sons, Flynn and Rafferty, aged 10 and five.