Jimmy Bullard Returns to I’m A Celebrity After Bullying Row
jimmy bullard is back for another run in the jungle tonight as I’m A Celebrity South Africa gets underway on Monday night ET. The former footballer and television personality returns after his first appearance ended early amid a bullying debate that followed him out of the camp. This time, jimmy bullard enters the series in South Africa with the spotlight back on his life now, his family, and the question of whether he can last longer than before.
Back in the jungle after a short first run
Jimmy Bullard first appeared on the programme 12 years ago, when he was 36, and was sent home as the first star to be voted off despite being the early favourite. His exit became one of the most talked-about moments of that season after viewers saw repeated jabs aimed at Jake Quickenden and the debate that followed over whether it was harmless banter or something more. Jimmy Bullard later said he believed the show had been edited to make him look bad and described the experience as a stitch-up.
The new series was filmed last year and features a cast that includes Mo Farah, Gemma Collins, Harry Redknapp, Scarlett Moffatt, Ashley Roberts and Adam Thomas. Jimmy Bullard is among the returning names heading back into the challenge, with the all-stars format putting former contestants into a fresh test in South Africa.
Jimmy Bullard’s life now away from the camera
Jimmy Bullard, born on October 23, 1978, is now 47. He is originally from East Ham and is best known for his time at Wigan Athletic, Fulham, Hull City and West Ham, before moving into television work.
He later worked as a co-host on Soccer AM, made appearances on Celebrity Masterchef, bought a pub with his dad and now has his own company, Jimmy Bullard Ltd. He is also said to have an estimated net worth of £3. 5 million.
His family life remains part of the picture too. Jimmy Bullard is engaged to his long-term partner Diane, and they share two children, Archie and Beau. Before his first jungle appearance, he said: “My amazing missus, along with my two fantastic kids, Archie and Beau, are the greatest things that ever happened to me. ”
How the row shaped his first exit
The first jungle run left a lasting mark because the criticism that followed focused on his on-screen style. Jimmy Bullard defended himself at the time, saying the row was based on banter and that he and Jake Quickenden could “go that deep, ” while adding that he could not do the same with Michael Buerk.
Jake Quickenden later said the two were close in camp and that the exchanges were all playful. Still, the row became central to the public reaction, and Jimmy Bullard left the jungle as the first contestant eliminated.
What happens next for Jimmy Bullard
With the South Africa series now underway, all attention is on whether Jimmy Bullard can turn this return into a longer stay. His second chance brings back one of the show’s most memorable personalities, but it also reopens the question that followed him for years after the first appearance. For now, Jimmy Bullard is back in the jungle, and the next few nights will decide whether this comeback ends differently.
