EX-ENGLAND footballer Jill Scott will be a bundle of energy and won’t shirk a challenge in the jungle, according to Sky Sports star Hayley McQueen.
The sportswoman-turned-pundit, 35, is one of the Lioness’s best ever players and is the bookies favourite to be crowned queen of the jungle.
Jill Scott will bring plenty of fun to the I’m A Celebrity camp, says Hayley McQueen
Sky Sports star Hayley will be rooting for the former Lioness midfielder
And she has the backing of footy-mad Hayley, who expects Jill to thrive in Oz.
In an exclusive interview, she said: “I think everyone is going to absolutely love her. She is fun and games. She’s going to be amazing.
“She is going to be the person that brings a little bit of light when there are tough times there. I can’t wait to see her in the challenges because obviously she’s so competitive. She’ll have an exercise buddy in Mike Tindall. That’s going to be a really interesting dynamic.”
Hayley, who is the daughter of Scotland legend Gordon McQueen, spends a lot of time in Middlesbrough, which is just a short drive from Jill’s hometown of Sunderland.
big clash
I'm A Celebrity fans predict major feud in camp before the show has begun
She said: “I love the fact she’s from the north east. She’s still very humble and just a big kid really, isn’t she.”
While many contestants make no bones about using the show as a springboard to greater stardom, Hayley believes Jill is only there to enjoy herself.
“I think going on I’m A Celebrity will open her up to a hell of a lot more, but she’s definitely not doing it to further her career, she’ll be doing it for the sheer fun of it,” said Hayley.
“She won’t want to be doing nothing and sit still. She’s the type that’s on the go all the time. I’m excited that it’s a female footballer and I think people will love her and get behind more females who have achieved what they’ve achieved and see them as characters and personalities as opposed to ex female professionals.”
POUT OF CONTROL
I love a juicy pout... I went from 0ml to a whopping 13ml over the years
As well as keeping a keen eye on antics in the jungle this November, Hayley will also be glued to the screen for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
While her dad might not be fond of the England national side, Hayley will be cheering on Gareth Southgate’s men.
Recalling a family holiday during a World Cup years ago, Hayley laughed about ex-Manchester United defender Gordon’s reaction to her mum’s patriotic swimwear.
She said: “He hates England doing well, always has done, always will do. My mum is English. I remember one holiday she came out by the pool in an England bikini and my dad nearly spat his beer out.”
Jill earned 161 England caps
I’m A Celebrity kicks off on November 6
Despite the interfamily conflict, Hayley said: “I hope they perform well. So many of the footballers are like young boys, and I feel for them, especially after what happened in the Euros and penalty situation, you realise how potentially damaging that can be to mental health of such youngsters. I think bless them all.
“As I’m getting older I’m seeing footballers differently, a sort of motherly way or older sisterly way as opposed to fancying David Beckham or Lee Sharpe and whoever it might be.”
Ahead of the competition, Hayley teamed up with Samsung and former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher to analyse some of the most controversial World Cup decisions ever and see if VAR would have changed the outcome.
The list was compiled from the results of a poll of 2,000 football fans, commissioned by Samsung UK to showcase the new 2022 range of Neo QLED TVs.
Topping the pile is Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God against England in the 1986 World Cup. VAR would have ruled the goal out sending the game to a penalty shootout potentially paving the way for England to win its second global competition.
POUT OF CONTROL
I love a juicy pout... I went from 0ml to a whopping 13ml over the years
Number two is Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal against Germany in 2010, which would have been given had VAR been in use.
And third is Thierry Henry’s handball for France against Ireland in a 2010 World Cup Qualifier. With the right tech in place, the goal would have been disallowed and Ireland could have fought on to penalties.
Hayley said: “These were so obvious you were like ‘how was that not seen?’ Maybe because of the way technology has come on, not just VAR but in terms of the actual screen on the TV itself. You can literally see the finger nails of the referee getting a card out. You can get that close. You can see every part of the screen in super HD.
“Watching it blown up you’re like ‘how the hell can they miss that?’, but viewers at home didn’t have multi-angle camera replays to scrutinise either.”
For more information and to explore the full range of Samsung Neo QLED TVs visit www.samsung.com
