Jill Scott unwittingly made fans emotional during this evening's episode of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
The Lioness hero, 35, spoke candidly with singer Boy George, 61, and comedian Seann Walsh, 36, about sexuality and how same sex relationships are viewed within women's football.
As the retired footballer - who is engaged to long-term partner Shelly Unitt - declared on the ITV show how 'football is for everyone', some viewers mused how sad the statement was to hear as the men's World Cup kicks off in Qatar.
This year's tournament has been shrouded with controversy, mainly thanks to the fact host nation Qatar is a state that represses the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and sees women reportedly live under a system of 'deep discrimination'.
Sitting at the creek with Jill and Seann during tonight's jungle update, Boy George kicked off the conversation by musing how is often asked about when he first knew he was gay.
After the singer shared his experience, Jill added: "I think when you get to the point where it’s like not a question… in my head it’s just simple, you find someone, you fall in love with them, if it’s a woman, a man, but I don’t think it defines you at all."
Seann then asked Jill: "In women’s football, coming out and homosexuality, is it more open? As obviously that is a problem in men’s football."
Jill, who retired from football after England's Euro 2022 win earlier this year, said: "I think in the men’s game, it’s so difficult. If you think about how much stick they get from the chants… it’s just not a safe environment where they feel safe enough to kind of do that. And that’s so sad.
"But yeah in women’s football it’s just never an issue. Some have partners that are female, some are married to men, yeah…"
She went on to add: "Then obviously there was no female role models for me to look up to… But I’d watch Beckham do a trick or Gerrard do something and I’d just be practising for hours. I was literally in the back lanes just with my ball all day all night until my mum would shout, ‘Jill it’s time for your tea’ and then I’d be back out again because I wanted to perfect this skill.
"And now I’ll put on my own soccer camps and the girls have the female players on the back of their shirt."
Viewers watching at home quickly took to social media to praise to Lioness hero for speaking so candidly and openly.
"Jill Scott is such a icon and inspiration to so many young girls who want to take up football," one I'm A Celebrity viewer wrote on Twitter as the show aired earlier this evening.
"Wasn’t ready for @JillScottJS8 talking about football being for everyone. Someone make her Queen," another added, as a third quipped: "Jill Scott MBE, talking about sexual identity in football. Love this conversation. Love her so much. #ImACeleb #ImACelebrity."
Others drew comparisons between how sexuality is discussed in male and female football teams.
"Jill saying football is for everyone is the saddest statement with everything going on with this World Cup," one noted following Jill's candid chat with Boy George and Seann, as another mused: "Love Jill Scott. And her chat about who you love not being a big deal in women's football despite being so in the men's game couldn't be more timely. #ImACeleb."
England's men team kicked off their World Cup 2022 campaign earlier today, with captain Harry Kane leading the team out without a OneLove armband on display.
Kane - along with six other European skippers - had planned to make the anti-discrimination gesture during the tournament. But the Football Association backed down after FIFA threatened to book players who wore it after a major diplomatic row between the world governing body and seven major nations.
Speaking after England's 6-2 win over Iran, Kane said: "Yeah, I think we’re disappointed. I think I said yesterday we wanted to wear it but that decision was taken out of my hands today.
"I turned up to the stadium with the armband that I did wear and I was told I had to wear that. Look, it’s out of our control as players. I’m sure the FA and FIFA will continue those discussions but most importantly today we focused on the game and got a great result."
