Harry Redknapp's Emotional Fears for Wife Sandra Ahead of I'm A Celebrity Return
Premier League legend Harry Redknapp has opened up about his deep concerns for his wife Sandra's health as he gears up to re-enter the jungle for the new series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! South Africa. The former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United manager, aged 79, won the show in 2018 but nearly missed his original appearance due to Sandra's life-threatening sepsis diagnosis.
The Sepsis Scare That Almost Kept Redknapp from the Jungle
Redknapp became emotional recounting how Sandra contracted sepsis just before he was set to enter the Australian camp eight years ago. Sepsis is a critical condition where the body fails to fight infections, and Sandra was rushed to hospital, putting Harry's participation in jeopardy. He described the episode as "very scary" and admitted his involvement was hanging in the balance until she showed improvement.
At the time, Harry said: "What made it worse was just before I went on the show, Sandra had sepsis and was really ill, so I wasn’t going to go. But then she improved, so I said any problems and I'm out of there straight away." He recalled a terrifying moment when producers urgently pulled him from camp, fearing the worst, only to be reunited with Sandra, which he said made the situation "ten times worse" initially.
Ongoing Health Battles and Covid Complications
In 2022, panic struck again when Sandra experienced breathing difficulties after a bout of Covid. Harry told The Mirror: "The symptoms weren't good, if I'm truthful. You start to think about all kinds of sinister things." Sandra added that the condition affected her vocal cords and breathing, making it very challenging. Following her survival from sepsis, Redknapp launched a sepsis awareness campaign to highlight the dangers of the condition.
A Lifelong Bond and Family Support
Harry and Sandra first met at the Two Puddings pub in East London in 1963 and married at St Margaret's Parish Church in Barking in June 1968. They have two children: former Liverpool and Spurs midfielder Jamie, 52, and Mark, 55. Reflecting on their relationship, Harry said: "In some ways it feels like yesterday since I first set eyes on Sandra, but in other ways, we have been together for a lifetime."
During his first stint on I'm a Celebrity, he spoke passionately about their bond: "Even when I'm out, I ring her ten times a day. She's my life. I'm a bit scared, actually, getting older. I do love her too much, if anything happened, it would just kill me." Sandra's unwavering support pushed him to participate in the show despite his fears.
Looking Ahead to I'm A Celebrity South Africa
The new series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! South Africa begins on Monday, April 6, at 9pm on ITV1 and will be available for streaming on ITVX. As Harry prepares for this adventure, his experiences underscore the profound impact of Sandra's health battles on his personal and professional decisions, highlighting a story of love, resilience, and family dedication in the face of adversity.
