Why Bucks really went into the jungle

Nathan Buckley turned to his children for guidance when looking at reality TV offers and has opened up about future opportunities and his living situation post-split.

Nathan Buckley says he chose to be part of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! because he wouldn’t have to discuss things he didn’t want to.

The former Collingwood coach and player came third on I’m a Celeb on Sunday night and signed on for the Channel 10 show with his free time over interest from Seven’s SAS Australia.

“I spoke to my boys and my youngest (Ayce) broke it down for me,’’ Buckley said on Triple M’s The Rush Hour with JB and Billy.

“Because SAS was floating as well, (he said) well SAS they are going to make you talk about things you don’t want to talk about and Celebrity you’ve got to eat stuff you don’t want to eat. In the end it worked. Celebrity fell into line a bit more and I thought why not go for it. It was worth having a crack and I’m really glad I did it.”

Nathan Buckley chose to participate Ten’s I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! over Seven’s SAS. Picture: Nigel Wright

In a chat with James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless, Buckley said he was open to all offers.

“I love being part of a football club and I love Collingwood and I always want to see them go well but I am ready for this phase,’’ he said.

“Time goes by, doesn’t it? I’m really open-minded. I haven’t been in this position in my life for a long time. The possibilities are really endless, the opportunities are there and I’ve got to stay ready for it and throw myself into whatever I’m in and make the most of it.”

Buckley joked he lasted in the jungle longer than Brownless’ three hours during his stint, but said he couldn’t resist the opportunity to get out of his comfort zone and do something different.

Brownless asked if he is still living in the South Yarra apartment he stayed in when he separated from his wife Nicky.

Buckley moved in there following his separation from wife Tania.

“I’m not in that joint anymore, I’ve moved on, mate; probably the next separated bloke is going to head in there at some point,’’ he said.

It’s been rumoured that Buckley and his cosmetic nurse girlfriend Alex Pike have split, which sources close to the couple have confirmed.

Buckley will work on Fox Footy and SEN this coming footy season, saying he turned down an offer from Seven. He admitted to missing footy for a moment when he walked past training on his way to the Australian Open.

“In the end I actually just listened a whole lot less,’’ Buckley said.

The former Collingwood coach has admitted to missing football. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“The second half of my coaching career I pretty much decided I was going to switch off from all of it. Good, bad or indifferent I just really thought I needed to focus on the group.

“When you go back everyone would want to change something or other and I wouldn’t change a thing. You only get out what you put in and I put in everything I’ve got.”