I’m A Celebrity 2022 ‘signs up a much loved EFL legend’ as the hit ITV show returns to Australia later on this year.
Adebayo Akinfenwa is reportedly set to take part in the the next series, which will return to the Australian jungle later this year.
For the past two years, hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have presented the show from Gwrych Castle in Wales due to the Covid pandemic.
It seems former Wycombe Wanderers striker Akinfenwa is keen and you just know he’ll give off a confident persona when it comes to the Bushtucker Trials.
According to reports, the 40-year-old would be popular with younger viewers as he’s a big FIFA video games name — regularly rated stronger than any other player.
A source said: “Ade is in the frame and would be keen on appearing. He was a hardman on the pitch, but is a gent off it.
“He’s also charismatic and funny and knows loads of people in the game,” they added.
In 2017, Akinfenwa stated his wish to go on ITV reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! but of course would have had to wait until the time was right due to his playing career.
He told The Sun about what he’d like to do after he finished playing, saying: “I’d like a cameo in X Men and I’d maybe like to do I’m A Celebrity jungle because I am scared of all those things.
“They’d find it funny to have this big guy who’s scared of spiders but the way my life’s gone, I just go with the flow.”
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He remains humble about his fame while simultaneously embracing his cult following.
Akinfenwa quit professional football in May this year after 22 years of playing for the likes of Doncaster, Torquay, Swansea, Millwall, Northampton, Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon and Wycombe.
He runs clothing label Beast Mode On, has also joined radio station talkSPORT, and in recent past made appearances on Sky Sports News.
Of his company ‘Beast Mode On’, Akinfenwa added: “The clothing range is the most tangible thing and there’s going to be a football academy, too.
“But there’s also a mentoring scheme — because a lot of kids say people are telling them they’re too big to play football.
“People like to put you in a box, but, big or no big, football was what I was going to do, nobody was going to tell me I couldn’t achieve my dreams — and that’s such a big message to send to the youth.
“People say you have to be a certain size and weight. When I was 17 or 18 I was told I had the ability but I was too big. I figured the ability is the harder bit, that you can work on fitness.
“I had trials at Watford, Villa, Arsenal, Leicester, Palace. Most said ‘you’re too big’.
“It didn’t deter me but even after I’d scored more than 100 league goals managers were telling me ‘I still think you’re too big’.
“My Wycombe team-mate Scott Kashket was told he was too small. Even though the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, was smaller. What are they talking about?
“I’m a father of five kids under nine and I’m blessed with two million followers on social media so I want to deliver positive messages to kids. I tell them the most powerful thing is your mind.
“At Portsmouth the other week, they were singing at me that my breasts were offside.
“That genuinely made me laugh but I scored and there ain’t no better way to shut them up!”
Akinfenwa’s became more well known when popular YouTuber KSI uploaded a video about footballing ‘beasts’ in which the then-Northampton striker — rated 96 out of 99 for strength on the Fifa games — featured heavily.
Akinfenwa said: “I had no social media and knew nothing about gaming until then. What’s happened since has been mind-boggling and humbling.
“I mean which other League Two player has chats with Thierry Henry at NBA games or meets Steven Gerrard for a burger in LA?”
Akinfenwa has been realistic enough not to ask for image rights deals from Wycombe or previous club AFC Wimbledon, adding: “If I was signing for Man United it might be different. But if my image can help Wycombe in some way, I’m glad to help.”
Akinfenwa said when asked doesn’t his fame grate on team-mates or managers: “I’m not being funny but I’m bigger than all my team-mates.
“So they ain’t going to say it to my face or there’ll be a problem.
“I like to think they only see me as a player although there’s banter. I am one of them, I get fined if I’m late.
“As for managers, I felt Aidy Boothroyd had a problem with it.
“He was a former Premier League manager who was in League Two with Northampton when it all kicked off with me.”
Akinfenwa describes Gareth Ainsworth as: “A League Two Jurgen Klopp. A rock star who drives a Mustang. He ain’t a typical football manager and I ain’t a typical footballer.”
SEE MORE: Adebayo Akinfenwa comes out of retirement to play for non league club in friendly
Fans reacted as I’m A Celebrity ‘signs up the EFL legend’ when the show returns to Australia later this year…
@Lukedegilbert2: Akinfenwa going on I’m a celebrity lmao
@JordanWebber96: Just seen that Adebayo Akinfenwa is lined up to go on I’m A Celeb this year? He’s got my vote already, proper character also. Get him on there, you Jack bastard! 🦢
@TheLocky84: “We’re gonna need a bigger bed”
@LouiseS_12: Yes! Get the beast in a hammock! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
@GeoffFrancis8: Wonder how much weight he’ll lose in there? A great character but a big lad with a big lad appetite!!
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