Cricket legend Phil Tufnell has suggested that Alex Scott's footballing career can help her flourish in the I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! camp. Tufnell was crowned King of the Jungle during the show's second series back in 2003.

Scott is the latest in a lengthy line of footballers to take part in the programme, following in the footsteps of past winners Harry Redknapp and Jill Scott. The 41-year-old played alongside 2022 champion Jill for many years with England and will hope to be the next Lioness to wear the crown.

The Football Focus presenter is one of seven campmates who are up for elimination ahead of Friday's show. However, Tufnell has argued that Scott's sporting background makes her a perfect campmate and gives her an advantage over some of the other celebrities

"I think it was quite handy that I was a sportsman," Tufnell said to Betway. "I've spent all my career in dressing rooms and on tours with lots of other people around the world.

"So to be in such close quarters with people was enjoyable, not stressful. I enjoyed meeting new people and if someone got a bit down, I tried to pick them up. It was all quite straightforward for me."

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Scott has already caused a stir in camp after getting caught with contraband. The ex-Arsenal star admitted to smuggling in several sachets of salt to help add flavour to some of the blander meals.

The sports presenter has participated in five Bushtucker trials, earning the maximum number of stars each time. Scott has also spoken about her relationship with singer Jess Glynne, which began in 2023.

Talking to Ruby Wax about Glynne, Scott said: "I will get married to her, just waiting for her to ask, Rubes!" Glynne responded by sharing on her Instagram story: "I better go get a ring."

After a live Bushtucker trial on Thursday, it was announced that Scott, along with Jack Osbourne, Angry Ginge, Aitch, Martin Kemp, Ruby Wax and Kelly Brook, would all face a public vote. Eddie Kadi, Lisa Riley, Shona McGarty, Tom Read Wilson and Vogue Williams are safe from elimination.

The long-running programme was still finding its feet when Tufnell triumphed more than 20 years ago, finishing ahead of runner-up John Fashanu. He acknowledged that Scott and the other famous faces might have developed strategies to help them thrive on the show, but that wasn't the case for the cricket legend.

"I think it's just natural. It's been on for quite a while now," Tufnell explained. "People might think, 'Oh if I do this, I might get further.' But we were only in the second series, so we all went in with no expectations and our eyes wide open. I never had a plan. I just wanted to keep a smile on my face for as long as I could."

When asked what advice he would offer this year's campmates, Tufnell added: "Go in there and be yourself. React how you would normally react to any situation you're faced with.

"If you're trying to force anything or adopt a certain persona by doing something that isn't natural to you, you start living in a parallel universe. You could start tripping yourself up and the viewers from home aren't stupid!"