Ant and Dec have revealed they were “close” to signing former Nottingham Forest midfielder and assistant manager Roy Keane for this year’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! The Geordie presenting duo were speaking about possible future contestants as they discussed Olivia Atwood’s exit from the jungle - and discussions soon turned to Roy.
Delving into a list of names suggested by fans on social media, Ant quizzed: “Roy Keane next year? Do you know what… Roy Keane would be very good. “And I think we’ve asked him on a few occasions and he’s been close.
"He’s been close to saying yes, so maybe next year could be the year. Come on Roy Keane, do it for the lads.” Also keen on seeing the 51-year-old Sky Sports pundit, Dec added: “I would love Roy Keane, he is top of our list,” the Mirror reports.
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In 2014, Keane admitted he had held talks with ITV over appearing on the series. At the time, he told Shortlist magazine: “I met the jungle people, but I thought, ‘Nah, not for me.’ But the more you say no, the more determined they are to get you, so who knows? There’s more to life than football."
With unrelenting standards and a fierce will to win, Keane made a huge impact at Nottingham Forest. The Irishman played for The Tricky Trees from 1990 to 1993 and had a spell as assistant manager under Martin O’Neill three years ago.
After three years playing at the club from the age of 19, Keane was on to bigger things and, despite interest from Liverpool, Real Madrid and Blackburn Rovers, he joined Manchester United. He played a pivotal role in the club’s golden era during the late 1990s and helped them win a historic treble in 1999.
In total, Keane helped Man United clinch seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and one Champions League.
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