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Tony Blackburn: Ban The Bushtucker Bullies

TONY BLACKBURN reckons the British public are bullying Janice Dickinson by making her do so many bushtucker trials.

The original king of the jungle thinks it's time to lay off the mouthy model - and called on bosses to step in and protect her.

The DJ spoke out as Janice, with help from singer J Brown, won 10 of 11 stars in her record seventh bushtucker trial.

Tony, who won the show's first series in 2002, said: "I hate when the public vote the same person for a bushtucker trial all the time.

"I think it's verging on bullying and I don't think it's fair either for the person or for the other people in the camp.

"I think they should put a limit on how many trials they can do. I think two in a row is enough."

The American has already beaten the trials record of six, held by John Fashanu in series two and Jan Leeming last year.

Her latest feat - Uneasy Rider - saw her smashing stars from a high-wire sidecar of a motorbike ridden by J.

All went well until the wheels slipped between the 10th and 11th stars and the bike fell from under them.

Janice jokingly yelled at J: "I could have got that last one J. You ********* it up."

But Tony, 64, slammed the producers' "masochistic" treatment of the celebs.

He hated when Janice began to cry during the trial with Christopher Biggins when she had to stick her head in a box of spiders and was then asked to do the same with snakes.

Tony said: "Making someone shake with fear isn't what the programme should be about.

"The trials should have an element of fun, like the Celebrity Chest when John and Anna dressed as superheroes.

"That's fun. It still tests the celebrities but there's nothing nasty about it.

"The show has become more difficult, even masochistic."

And he admitted: "When I was on it, it was tough but what they are doing now is incredible. I don't know if I could do it now.

"Not only can it be uncomfortable viewing, but I think it will also stop some of the celebrities they might get on the show from going on." Janice has become a real star of this year's series, partly because as an American who hasn't seen the show, she can't believe what hosts Ant and Dec are trying to make her do.

While she said no to eating crocodile penis, Tony thinks the trial when she was supposed to put her head in a box of snakes could have been dangerous.

He said: "When I was in the jungle, I did a trial and got bitten twice by a snake on my hand. It was like an injection.

"But for her to have to put her head in a tank with snakes that could have bitten her in the face was a trial too far."

As a vegetarian, Tony doesn't like the way animals and insects are used in the trials.

He added: "The show is more interesting with the interaction with the people.

"The bugs aren't forme and I have to turn away when rats are crawling over people.

"When I did the show, I didn't realise there would be challenges. I thought we'd be sitting around talking rubbish for a fortnight.

"Look at this year. People are talking about the relationship between Cerys and Marc.

"The fun of the show is the interaction of the people - like David Gest's tales last year and the will-they-won't-they relationship between Cerys and Marc."

THE celebrities have been in the Aussie rainforest for more than a week and Tony reckons Christopher Biggins is favourite to follow him and be crowned king.

Tony said: "Everybody loves him. He's just good fun.

"He made a very impressive start with a bushtucker trial and I think he's got every chance of going all the way and winning it.

"He's camp as a row of tents and funny.

"I know him quite well, as we both eat at The Ivy. He's loveable but can get catty.

"As long as he's happy and not struggling, he'll be the life and soul of the show.

"I always prefer the older people. They've been through the mill, whereas the younger ones can be a bit dull."

Hollyoaks actress turned glamour model Gemma Atkinson got all the attention before the show began. But in the jungle, she's struggled to shine, apart from when she takes a wash in her bikini.

Tony laughed: "Has she said anything yet? Does anyone realise she's there?"

And former boyband member Jason "J" Brown from Five hasn't got enough personality to win, he said.

LikeMarc Bannerman, Tony has a soft spot for Cerys Matthews. He said: "I can understand whyMarc would like her, as I think she's very attractive. "I think Cerys is very good. She could be a contender to win."

He thinks Anna Ryder Richardson has been swamped by women with bigger personalities and Katie Hopkins won't win because the public don't like her. The former Radio 1 DJ is also backing PR guru Lynne Franks.

He said: "I think she's barmy. I don't think she realises how funny she looks with all her dancing." He can also relate to her spiritual meditation.

Tony said: "Being in the jungle changedme quite a lot, as a person. "I fell in love with the rainforest. It's just very peaceful. I found an inner peace that has lasted ever since."

There's not much peace when it comes to grumpy duo chef John Burton Race and RodneyMarsh.

Tony said: "Rodney has shown a dodgy side to him because of his sexist comments. I don't think he'll last long. "John can handle himself better than Rodney and at least can be funny."

Tony passed the time by collecting logs in the jungle.

His scatty ways and odd habits endeared him to the British public and helped himto win the first I'm A Celebrity.

He said: "I have some logs at my house and go and look at them every day." But Tony won't be taking his 10-year-old daughter Victoria camping in the jungle any time soon.

He laughed: "I can't stand outside life. "I might be king of the jungle but I'm a real coward when it comes to that kind of thing."

Tony presents DVD Top of the Pops: The Essential Music Quiz, a new family music quiz that spans five decades of music.

It's out now.

'I think they should put a limit on how many trials they can do. I think that two in a row is enough'

Source: Daily Record