James Haskell has revealed he'd happily head back into the jungle for a rumoured I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! All Stars, but admits he'd be terrified of saying the wrong thing and ending up "cancelled".
The former England rugby star, who appeared on the ITV reality show in 2019, says he'd jump at the chance to return if an all-star version ever became a reality. James told the Daily Star: "I'd love to do I'm A Celebrity All Stars."
But while the prospect excites him, James admits reality TV feels very different in 2026, with contestants facing intense scrutiny over everything they say. He joked: "I'd try not to do a David Haye."
Fear of Being Cancelled
James elaborated on his concerns, referencing the backlash boxer David Haye received during his stint on the show. "I love David Haye – he's a mate – but that was a real interesting view in 2026. It's one of those things where you think, 'I'll go and do TV,' but if it goes wrong, it can go very wrong."
James says he's always conscious that a joke could easily be taken the wrong way. "I'm always a bit nervous about that. Celebs Go Dating went well, but it's not like I've got any wild views. I could just make a joke and people take it the wrong way."
Different Approach if Given Second Chance
If he did get another shot at jungle life, the former rugby ace insists he'd play the game very differently. During his first stint, James found himself slipping into leadership mode and trying to keep everyone else happy, something he now regrets.
He explained: "I'd take a step back and stop worrying about doing good for the group. When you're a sports person and a leader, I've spent a lot of time managing people, helping people when they're freaking out. But this time I'd just let them get on with it. I'd be really chilled. I certainly wouldn't get involved. I'd switch my brain off this time."
Physical Toll of the Jungle
Despite enjoying the experience overall, James admits the physical toll of jungle life was far tougher than viewers realised. He said: "The bit I found hard was being starved of food. I was almost fainting, having dizzy spells. I lost 12kg in 18 days. I was blacking out. I'd never had a panic attack, but I almost had one because of food."
Campmates He'd Reunite With
Looking back, James says there are plenty of former campmates he'd happily reunite with. "Roman Kemp was fun, Nadine Coyle was great and Ian Wright was really cool," he said. "Caitlyn Jenner again would be great."
He admitted: "I think there are a couple I'd rather not go in with. Seeing what they're actually like rather than what they were like on TV... there are definitely some people I'd prefer to do it with than not. We got on really well with some of them. Some people required a lot more work than others."
Business Ventures Beyond TV
Away from reality TV, James is also continuing to build his business ventures, including Blackeye Gin, the award-winning brand he co-founded with Mike Tindall and Alex Payne. The trio recently expanded the brand's reach through a partnership with MSC Cruises, with Blackeye Gin now available across every bar onboard MSC Virtuosa after proving a hit during a successful trial.
"It's a really cool relationship," James said. "We wanted to get our drink exposed as much as possible and working with a mega brand like them to get our drink on board has been brilliant." The gin is now available for guests with MSC's Premium Drinks Package and those staying in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, marking another major milestone for the brand as it continues to grow beyond its rugby roots.
