Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has become the bookmakers’ favorite to take part in this year’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!. It comes after the 54-year-old refereed his last top-flight game as Chelsea beat Watford 2-1 on May 22.

Mr Dean was originally expected to be a foreigner to feature on the program but his chances appear to have increased after calling him quitting his career as a top referee. According to OLBG, he is 4/5 to participate in the game show.

And if the bookies are to be believed, he won’t be the only famous face in the world of football, as Michael Owen is set to appear on the show. The former Liverpool, Manchester United and England striker is currently watching his daughter Gemma appear in the latest series of Love Island.

But it looks like the 42-year-old could follow suit and appear on one of winter’s most popular reality shows. The expert was rated as 9/1 odds for going into the jungle.

Elsewhere, former pundit and TV presenter Chris Kamara is also tipped to appear on I’m a Celeb. He is currently receiving a 15/8 rating after leaving his role on Sky Sports to present a BBC podcast later this year.

OLBG said: “Kamara has announced a new podcast which will debut on the BBC later this year, alongside presenter Ben Shephard. The former footballer may well add a stint in the jungle to his list of upcoming adventures.”

Others who could be considered for the 2022 I’m a Celebrity include Piers Morgan and Peter Kay, both 50/1 strangers. Alongside former Footballers’ Wives star Laila Rouass.

It is currently unclear whether I’m a Celebrity will return to its traditional country of Australia this year or return to Wales. The show had moved to Gwrych Castle during the Covid pandemic, and the owners earlier this year asked to keep the camp for a third year.

ITV content director Rosemary Newe told the Mirror: ‘We expect me to be a celebrity to return to Australia in November.

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