Gossip Queen: I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here new cast includes at least one AFL star

Channel 10 bosses claim footy fans “will certainly be pleased” with this year’s cast for I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, with some cast members finally locked in after four years of attempted recruiting.

The AFL effect is turning reality TV into a lucrative playing ground for footy stars looking to swap the sherrin for the small screen.

Former stars such as Brendan Fevola who won I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! and Dane Swan, Josh Gibson and Barry Hall who all performed strongly on their series of the jungle endurance test, have proved to be reality TV gold.

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In recent years ex-AFL players such as Anthony Koutoufides and Brodie Holland charmed audiences on Dancing With The Stars, while Brian Lake showed he had survival skills almost outplaying his competitors on Australian Survivor.

Casey Donovan, Dane Swan and Natalie Basingthwaite on their series of I’m A Celeb. Picture: Nigel Wright

Channel 10’s head of entertainment and factual programming, Stephen Tate said the AFL effect meant the ex-players were competitive but understood how to work as a team and importantly brought with them a ready made fan base.

“Because you have already invested in their story, you already have a connection to them,” Tate said.

“What we are looking for when we are casting anything that involves celebrities is that there is fan base, has that person captured your imagination in some way, either needing to redeem themselves or that they are a brilliant role model.

“I think it is proven that sporting heroes and sporting villains work really well in a reality environment.

Chrissie Swan, Freddie Flintoff and Barry Hall on their series of I’m A Celeb.

“AFL and cricket are truly national, they appeal to all states.”

The new season of I’m A Celebrity will kick off on Channel 10 in January and take it to the bank a footy star is on-board.

“If you are an AFL fan you will certainly be pleased with this year’s cast,” Tate said.

“What I can tell you is there are a couple of cast members that it has taken four years to get them to say yes.

“I am absolutely thrilled. They have looked at what the show can do, they have looked at the fact nobody’s reputation has ever been damaged by the program and they have finally said yes, so I am very excited about this year’s cast.

“I think Melbourne will be very happy with its representation.”

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