Football legend Alan Shearer gives bizarre reason why he would never sign up for ITV's I'm a Celebrity - but reveals another pundit who he's convinced would WIN the hit TV show

• e-mail

Ex-England footballer Alan Shearer has revealed why he would never sign up for ITV's popular reality show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, which is set to return for Series 24 on November 24.

Several retired footballers have jetted to Australia to take part in the show, including the likes of Jimmy Bullard, Wayne Bridge, Harry Redknapp and Jill Scott to name a few, with the latter pair winning their respective season.

But Newcastle and Blackburn legend Shearer claims will never go on the show because he has been bizarrely 'convinced' not to by former contestant Ian Wright.

Shearer's old England team-mate and Match of the Day colleague, who left the nation's flagship football show in 2023, was on I'm a Celeb back in 2019 and survived in the jungle until the 18th day.

Explaining to Betfair why he will never be persuaded into the jungle, Shearer, 54, said: 'Ian Wright has convinced me to never go on I'm a Celebrity. He's told me all about it and how he won't be going back in.'

Ex-England footballer Alan Shearer has revealed why he would never sign up for I'm a Celebrity

He claims Ian Wright, who was on the show back in 2019, 'convinced' him not to take part

Wayne Rooney's wife Coleen is heading to Australia as part of Series 24 of I'm a Celebrity

The Premier League's record goal-scorer did, however, offered an alternative who he believes would win the show. 

Shearer continued: 'There's only Micah Richards of my punditry colleagues I could see in there! If it was between him or Martin Keown, it would have to be Micah Richards.

'He could be the King of the Jungle, and it would sure be entertaining seeing him in there.' 

Quickly confirming that he has no plans to play a part in I'm a Celeb's future himself, Shearer added: 'I can't see myself going in there though, absolutely not!'

Wayne Rooney's wife Coleen is included in the star-studded line-up for Series 24, with boxing promoter Barry McGuigan also joining the camp.

It has also been reported that boxer Tommy Fury withdrew at the last minute, replaced by fellow Love Island star Maura Higgins.

Shearer and Wright watched football together at the weekend as their two former clubs Newcastle and Arsenal faced off in the Premier League.

The Magpies triumphed thanks to a superb header from striker Alexander Isak — and Shearer's jubilant reaction to the goal was caught on camera.

Shearer believes fellow pundit Micah Richards would win the show if he went into the jungle

Shearer couldn't contain his excitement when Newcastle took the lead against Arsenal

After Isak connected with Anthony Gordon's sublime cross, Shearer cried out in joy as Wright watched on in dismay.

Immediately following his celebration Shearer singled out the England international's delivery for praise.

'What a cross! What a cross!' Shearer said. 'That was a cross from the 90s!'

Shearer certainly knew a thing or two about feeding off crosses during his playing career, scoring 46 of his remarkable 260 Premier League goals with his head.