I’m A Celebrity’s James Haskell reveals he wants to tackle acting after his stint in the jungle
FORMER England rugby ace James Haskell is planning to stay on the small screen after I’m A Celebrity — as an actor.
The hardman, married to Richard and Judy’s daughter Chloe Madeley, has been seeking advice about a career switch from a series of pals in the industry.
The 34-year-old has revealed he has spoken to comic Tom Davis — the man behind the BBC’s award-winning comedy Murder In Successville — about future roles.
The 6ft 3in jungle star admits he is worried about being typecast because of his size but the success of fellow man-mountain Tom put his mind at rest.
He said: “I’d like to get into presenting and TV. I’m very lucky to know a guy called Tom Davis, the comedian.
“He’s brilliant and he’s massive as well. He does a lot of funny things, he was in Plebs, Murder In Successville.
“So I’d love to do things like that and get involved.
“He’s a big unit, he’s bigger than me – I was concerned that, acting ability aside, I thought I’d be Doorman No5 or Thug No6. So I’d love to do that. That’s what I’m passionate about.”
He has revealed he was asked twice to do I’m A Celebrity before agreeing because he was worried about what he might blurt out.
But Haskell has obviously thought long and hard about life after rugby.
The man who won 77 caps for England admitted to being “terrified” of retreating from the spotlight.
The ex-sportsman, who announced his retirement in May, has said that he will be speaking to his psychologist to help him overcome his fears.
He explained: “My fear is that when I was younger we went to a party with some friends and there was an ex-England rugby player there.
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“And my dad introduced me and I took his hand and I was like, ‘Hello sir’ and my dad was like, ‘I can’t believe you’re not more excited — he’s played for England sixty times’.
“And I was like, ‘Dad, I literally have no idea who that is!’ and within a year’s time I’m going to be exactly that guy.
“That whole thing about when the cheering stops, just fading into nothingness. I talk to my psychologist – instead of my performance it’s now going to be about dealing with this kind of stuff.”
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