Former footballer Jimmy Bullard became the first contestant voted off I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! on Monday night, following a row over alleged bullying. Bullard, who had been a favourite to win, was evicted after clashing with fellow camper Jake Quickenden, asking him: 'Why the fuck are you in here? What are you? What sort of skill have you got?'
Bookmakers described his early exit as one of the show's biggest ever shocks. Coral spokesperson Nicola McGeady said Bullard's eviction was 'one of the biggest shocks in the show's history', with punters having backed Tinchy Stryder to leave instead. Bullard had been 9-1 to be evicted and 7-2 to win before being sent off.
After his exit, Bullard, 36, insisted his comments were just 'banter'. He told ITV's Lorraine show: 'It does come across to the outside as harsh. I can understand that. I knew what I was letting myself in for. But believe me, on the inside it was nothing like that.'
Bullard, who spent 17 days in the Australian jungle, said he celebrated his departure with a 'fry-up'. He admitted struggling with lack of sleep but said being surrounded by people was 'a buzz' reminiscent of a football dressing room. He tipped motorbike racer Carl Fogarty and Quickenden for victory, joking he would stay friends with them 'unless they all delete my number'.
