Stand-up comedian Andrew Maxwell has put insects on his face to help him prepare for life in the Jungle. And despite being a self-confessed news junkie, the 45-year-old also reveals he is glad he has the perfect excuse to miss listening to the politicians in the run-up to the general election.
Andrew explains “I am a massive current affairs junkie but to be honest, even I have had enough (of politics!). I will still vote in the general election but the idea of missing all the guff because I am doing a Bushtucker Trial does tickle me quite a bit!”
“I am really looking forward to being in Australia and being part of this year’s I’m a Celebrity. It was a no brainer when they asked me and I said ‘yes’ immediately.”
“In fact on the day of my meeting, we were clearing out our basement at home and there was a spider. I picked it up and put it on my face for a bit of practice!”
Rather than worrying about being away from his home comforts like technology and his bed, the comedian says he loves the idea of being in one place for a month. “My life is touring,” he adds. “And so the idea of not having to go to an airport, train station for a month…wow! That will be nice.”
“I also think you just have to accept the food rations as it is. My whole adult life has been on the road. It means you miss out on meals, maybe even two, and you just have to soak it all up.”
Asked whether he will try and entertain his fellow contestants with some stand-up routines and it’s a resounding yes. But he also laughs as he declares he is more than happy to be the ‘person who cleans out the toilet and collects the logs’.
“My littlest is two and so I am still in the world of wiping away poo anyway,” admits the Dad of three. “I have a long-standing reputation as someone who is willing to clean out the toilet in my mate’s caravan after a three day music festival too!”
Andrew confides the hardest challenge will be being separated from his wife and three children. “We speak every day and I will miss them a lot,” he says. “Half the worry is knowing how they are. But they will be able to communicate with each other and look after each other and they will know where I am!”
So is doing I’m a Celebrity tougher than performing a stand-up gig? Andrew thinks both are equally challenging. “They are both hard, “ he replies. “Every time you walk out on stage, you have no idea what you are going to encounter! You walk through a magic door! And with I’m a Celebrity, you are going to have creepy crawlies on your face!”
He says his family find it ‘hilarious’ he is taking part this year and he thinks his fellow comedians will also find it funny when they discover he is going in the Jungle. “My family will definitely be voting for me to do the trials. They find it hilarious.”
And how will he feel to be crowned the ‘King of the Jungle’? “I will be really chuffed if I win,” he replies. “But with something like this, it is so much more pleasant to live the experience. Yes it will be uncomfortable, wet and there will be mosquitos and spiders but what an amazing opportunity this is."
The series returns to ITV1 on Sunday, November 17.
Picture: ITV
This interview supplied by ITV. And here is a classic interview Andrew Maxwell did for BTJ.
