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One of Welsh rugby’s most colourful characters admits he would relish the challenge of taking on the popular reality shows
Wales rugby icon Scott Quinnell says he “would love” to take part in The Celebrity Traitors and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, but has ruled out another reality show he believes he would struggle on.
The 53-year-old is one of Welsh rugby’s most colourful characters and is no stranger to TV work, having had a recurring guest role on comedy series Stella as well as a presenting gig on Sky’s School of Hard Knocks series and regular appearances as a commentator and pundit on the broadcaster’s rugby coverage.
However, having turned his attention to reality TV, Quinnell admits he would relish the challenge of entering the Australian jungle, as well as the iconic Traitors castle in the Scottish Highlands.
Discussing reality shows with fellow Wales international Tom Shanklin on the latest episode of the Stick to Rugby podcast, the former forward asked: “Which one would you do – would you do Strictly, I’m a Celebrity, Traitors, SAS: Who Dares Wins, Bake Off, Celebrity Masterchef or Big Brother? Which one are you winning?”
Shanklin replied: “Winning? I don’t think any of them. I don’t think I could do I’m A Celeb, because I just couldn’t eat stuff like kangaroo balls.”
However, Quinnell disagreed, as he explained: “Not because you mentioned kangaroo balls, but I would love to do I’m A Celeb. Only because I’d love to lose a stone before Christmas.
“That is my main reason, go in there, come out and you are having a great Christmas after that. You’re getting paid to lose weight.”
Shanklin continued: “Strictly, I think I’d be far too immobile to do. I don’t think I’ve got the flexibility, although I’ve got a lot of good natural rhythm.”
Quinnell replied: “I’ve seen you on the dancefloor, you’ve got the shoulders. If it was only from the waist up, I reckon you could win that.
“I would love to have a go at the Traitors after seeing [the first celebrity series], because I’ve been a fan of it from the start. And I think I’m A Celeb [as well].”
If he were to sign up for the second series of The Celebrity Traitors, Llanelli legend Quinnell would be following in the footsteps of former England prop Joe Marler, who was one of the breakout stars of the first series after making it through to the final.
A couple of famous faces from the world of rugby have also taken on the I’m A Celeb jungle in recent years, namely England internationals James Haskell and Mike Tindall.
Meanwhile, former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has made it through to the final of Celebrity MasterChef on Friday night, with Quinnell and Shanklin taking the opportunity to tease the legendary lock.
“I reckon I’d be good at MasterChef because I’m not a bad cook,” said Shanklin. “I can imagine him being a good chef as well, Alun Wyn.”
Quinnell replied: “What do you reckon his go-to meal would be? Alfie’s [Gareth Thomas] was Glamorgan sausages wasn’t it?”. Quoting Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs, Shanklin responded: “Some fava beans and a nice bottle of Chianti.”
“You wouldn’t put it past him, would you?,” smiled Quinnell, with Shanklin adding: “No, not at all… sweetbreads”.
As for shows they wouldn’t consider doing, Quinnell ruled out signing up for Celebrity Big Brother, with Shanklin agreeing: “The issue I’d have with Big Brother is eventually they’d find out about you and the facade would wear off and they’d find out exactly what you’re like.”
Quinnell continued: “I couldn’t do Big Brother because I don’t like getting stuck in a house with people that I can’t kick out, and people would be like ‘oh, he hasn’t done the washing up’. Nah, I don’t fancy doing the washing up.”
Asked by Shanklin what his fellow housemates would find annoying about him, Quinnell said simply: “Me just being there, probably,” leaving his co-host in agreement.
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