Jungle bromance brews between Joel Creasey and Barry Hall on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

ONE is a flamboyant comedian who hates footballers, the other is a rough and tumble AFL star. But there’s a bromance brewing on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

BEFORE he was thrust into a rustic jungle camp in South Africa, sharp-tongued comedian Joel Creasey had a few misgivings about footballers and hoped there wouldn’t be one joining the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! cast.

When the 24-year-old funnyman saw former AFL player Barry Hall, his worst fears were realised. But an unlikely bromance is now brewing deep in the harsh bush setting that the pair will call home with eight other celebs for the next several weeks.

The day before he entered the camp, Creasey said his experiences with bullies at his high school — famed for producing elite footballers — still lingered strong.

Comedian Joel Creasey was bullied at school but has formed an unlikely bromance with AFL star Barry Hall. Picture: Courtesy Channel 10.

“I don’t get on with footballers,” the comic firmly declared.

“I went to a school that offered scholarships for footballers — a school that produced a bunch of big names — Ben Cousins and Buddy Franklin.

“My experience with footballers hasn’t been great. It was pretty awful. I have a preconceived notion as a result. If there’s one in there, hopefully they can change my mind.”

It seems he has had a change of heart. Creasey and Hall have spent a few quiet moments alone together in recent days, chatting about their respective life experiences.

Both say they’ve taken away a new understanding about the other.

Hall’s almost big brother-like fondness towards Creasey might come as a surprise to those more accustomed to his on-field aggression and the reputation it painted him with.

Different man ... former AFL player Barry Hall says he’s actually a big softie off the field. Picture: Nigel Wright/Channel 10

But the big man insisted he’s really a big softie outside of sport.

“I half did this to show people a different side of myself,” Hall, 37, said.

“I couldn’t be more different to the man that people think I am. The perception of me is the one from out on the football field, and it’s not a great perception. I think if people see how I act outside of that, it might be a positive.”

Star campers ... the 10 personalities sharing a jungle camp as part of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Picture: Nigel Wright/Channel 10

During a visit to the camp’s Tok Tokkie hut, Creasey said his stereotyped view had shifted, declaring Hall was a “great guy”.

Meanwhile Tuesday night’s Tucker Trial was the most confronting experience yet for Maureen McCormick, aka Marcia Brady, who continues to struggle with jungle life.

The Brady Bunch star is a staunch vegetarian, but amped herself up to scoff down various animal bits in order to win meals for her fellow celeb camp mates. It wasn’t an easy achievement though.

The Tucker Trial with Maureen McCormick and Merv Hughes. Picture: Channel 10

A pig tail and impala lung proved a step too far, but in the end McCormick was able to stomach five mealworms, fly pupae and a cockroach.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 6.30pm on Network Ten.