Jill Scott reveals secret weapon for I'm A Celebrity success and 'hardest part'

Former Queen of the Jungle has shared what it takes to get to the final of ... Get Me Out Of Here!

The retired Lioness gave her advice for those set to take part in this year's upcoming series of the reality show whilst on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain awards. Speaking ahead of the star-studded ceremony, set to air tonight at 8pm on ITV, Jill said how teary she can get when hearing the inspirational stories of the nation's unsung heroes.

"I don't think you can ever be prepared, listening to these stories for the first time, it's really emotional," she told the . "Even if you've heard it for the first time or the 10th time, it's so emotional and these are the awards that really matter." Dishing out her advice for this year's I'm A Celeb contestants, she said: "Just embrace it."

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Talking fondly of her time Down Under, where she was crowned winner in 2022, Jill, 37, continued: "I always talk about memories from the jungle so it's something that only happens once in a lifetime, so embrace it all and have no regrets."

Despite coming in first place, it wasn't an easy journey for the former footballer. She struggled with the challenges and was forced to overcome her fear of rats. "The hardest part is definitely being away from home for so long," the Sunderland native, who lives with her fiancee in , said.

"You are in isolation a little bit before going into the jungle. I struggle to be on my own as I do enjoy being around people so the time away from home and then I suppose the challenges - heights, rats, I don’t like any of that." She managed to get through them by thinking of those watching at home, adding: "I just thought I have to do it. I can’t let them down."

Jill, who was awarded an MBE in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to women's football, announced her retirement from the game in 2022. It came after the former Manchester City star was named three-time winner of the FA Women's Cup and the FA WSL Cup.

But despite hanging up her boots, Jill has been just as busy with a new career in TV. She has appeared as a pundit for several men's and women's matches, including England Men's Euros qualifying games against Malta and North Macedonia, and the UEFA Women's final.

In June 2023, she became the first female player to captain England for Soccer Aid, and in the same year, she became a captain in the panel show A League of Their Own. And away from screens, she still helps out at Northenden coffee shop, Boxx2Boxx Coffee, which she co-owns with long-term partner Shelly Unitt.

"I'm really enjoying it," she said of her retirement. "I've met some incredible people doing very different things. I feel really lucky." is reportedly set for a sensational TV return with a place on this year's I'm A Celeb, having reportedly inked a deal to spill the beans.

Insiders suggest that Coleen's appearance fee could eclipse the sums paid to big names like Caitlyn Jenner and even the whopping £1.5million shelled out for . star Jane Moore has also reportedly been in talks with ITV bosses about joining the show, along with Tulisa Contostavlos.

• Don't miss the Pride of Britain Awards, Thursday 24th October, 8pm ITV1 and ITVX

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