Paul Burrell enters the jungle on "I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!"
This season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! has already seen numerous controversies, but if its latest contestant’s past is anything to go by, it’s only going to get more dramatic.
Princess Diana’s outspoken former butler Paul Burrell entered the South African jungle as an intruder last night, along with UK reality star Vicky Pattison. And it’s not his first foray into the jungle. Both Burrell and Pattison appeared on the UK version of the show in 2004 and 2015, respectively.
However, while Pattison proved a fan favourite, going on to win her series, Burrell quickly earned a reputation as “one of the most annoying contestants” in the show’s history – a reputation he’s hoping he can fix, 14 years later.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald ahead of joining the Aussie cast, the always-vocal Burrell says he’s looking forward to sharing more stories about his time with the royals – something social media users aren’t so sure about.
#ImACelebrityAU let’s start taking bets now, how long will it take Paul Burrell to drop Diana’s name when he gets to the camp and meets everyone?
— Steve Clark (@spclark14) February 12, 2018
Paul Burrell is doing the reality tv rounds now..hhmmmm..... #ImACelebrityAU
— Just Some Random (@spottedpelican) February 12, 2018
Paul Burrell on his 100th reality show since Princess Di died. 🙄 #ImACelebrityAU
— Carla JS 🚌 (@CarlsCarla) February 12, 2018
Paul Burrell... are you fricken kidding me?? Been cashing in on Diana for 20 yrs now! 😡 #ImACelebrityAU
— MelG (@MelG146) February 12, 2018
“If people love the royal family, they will hear wonderful stories,” he said.
“I’m not breaching any confidences or secrets but if you want to know what the Queen is really like or you want to know what Diana was like, I am going to tell you. I am going to be honest and frank, everything I say in the jungle will be the truth.”
But Burrell, who was nicknamed “the whimpering butler” thanks to his behaviour during a tucker trial back in 2004, says he’s a totally different man now.
“I have evolved since [2004], I am a different person," he said. “I’m a nearly 60-year-old man, I’m a newlywed, I came out, all in one year.
“The response I have had from people all around the world has been amazing. I am waiting for the negativity and I will answer it, but I have learned from two incredible and unique human beings, the Queen and Princess Diana.
“I know what the Queen would say to me and that is, 'There’s no room in this world for racism, homophobia, bullying or sexism.’”
Image credit: @ImACelebrityAU/Twitter.