I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! star Amir Khan was ’embarrassing’ says boxing legend and pal Barry McGuigan
BOXING legend Barry McGuigan says Amir Khan was “embarrassing” when he failed his recent I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Bushtucker Trial.
But he says the Olympic silver medallist redeemed himself by completing a task the following day.
He even says the Bolton lad will go on to be one of the finalists and probably win it.
Speaking at last night’s Pride of Sport Awards, Barry told the Sun’s Bizarre column: “I watched him the other night I believe he was a bit embarrassing on the first task but he made up for it last night.
“So that was good. He's a very nice fella.
“He's a very sweet guy and his family are good. And I know he's done some stupid things but we're all guilty of that and I wish him the very best. I know he's a very likeable chap.
“It wouldn't surprise me at all if he does go on to win it. If he doesn't win it, he'll go well up. He'll be the one of the last to leave.”
Amir was mocked after he quit the first Bushtucker Trial on Monday night’s episode.
During the Critter-cal Rescue task he had to crawl through a tunnel filled with bugs and animals.
After unsuspectingly pulling out a snake, he rushed out shrieking the infamous quitting words “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here” and thus not earning him and his campmates any food.
Barry has known Amir since he won the silver medal at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 when he announced himself on the boxing stage.
He backed the 30-year-old following family issues including the breakdown of his marriage with Faryal Makhdoom as well as sacking his dad Sajjad as manager.
Barry said: “I don't know anything about his personal life nor would I get into that - I know his dad Shah very well. Very nice people. Sad that he broke up with him and delighted they're back together again.
“I just want him to have family harmony.
“He's a nice hard working, likeable guy and I would be surprised if he didn't hold on to one of the last places.
“He's very easy to live with. He’s a good guy, he gives a hand, he gets stuck in to everything. He's hard working - he's a decent, disciplined guy and you get that through boxing.
“When you go into the big bad world and lot's of things happen you get millions and millions of pounds and sometimes it does your head in you can't say silly things and make stupid mistakes but ultimately he's a very good fellow.”
And the boxing manager says has backed Amir to make a return to boxing and to do so successfully.
Barry added: “He's got a couple of fights lined up he wants to regain the world title. He still has the ability to do it.
“He's getting on a bit but he's achieved an awful lot and I don't see why he can't achieve more.”