Karen Carney reveals whether she would follow team mate Jill Scott’s footsteps on I’m A Celebrity-Paul Simper-Entertainment – Metro

Karen Carney is a football pundit for this year’s men’s World Cup (Picture: Metro)

England football hall-of-famer and pundit, 35, on the men’s World Cup, meeting a Spice Girl and jungle winner Jill Scott.

Did you have any concerns about going to Qatar for this World Cup? Your job is to commentate for ITV but does it now feel bigger than that?

To be honest, I’m a football pundit. I’m here to do my job and my job is to talk about football matches. That’s what I enjoy. I’ve been a football fan since the day I was born so to commentate on it is probably my next best job other than playing in it.

You predicted the England-Iran game could be a tough one. Were you surprised by the 6-2 result?

The opening games are really tough because of the anxiety and the apprehension. I only got one player wrong from the team selection so I was quite happy with my thought process.

The first 25 minutes were quite tight and then it was super Jude Bellingham, my favourite player. I’ve got no issues about saying that. I’ve got a soft spot for him, with him being a Birmingham boy.

The Lioness admitted England star Jude Bellingham is her fave player (Picture: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)

What are your thoughts about Harry Kane and Gareth Bale not wearing the OneLove LGBT armband because of the Fifa ruling that they could receive yellow cards?

I don’t know the ins and outs of it. Of course I know that teams have been wanting to wear it and for whatever reason they couldn’t but I’m sure that they’re very supportive of the LGBT community and that will never change going forward.

Did you see that your old teammate Alex Scott wore her OneLove armband for her BBC commentary on the match?

Yeah, I saw that. That’s her decision and her choice. It would be wrong for me to speak about somebody else. I just wish everyone could feel comfortable and that the situation is resolved.

You’ve talked about music getting you through dark days in the pandemic. What particular tunes?

My first concert after the pandemic was Craig David. When we played our tournament, my roommate was Alex Scott and she was the team DJ. She constantly played music in our room. I just let her run away with it.

More: England Women’s football team

What were Alex’s choices?

Ah, anything and everything. To be fair, we had similar tastes so I was quite lucky. It wasn’t like I had to put my ear plugs in – only when she played the guitar. It was terrible!

Didn’t you get to meet one of your music heroes Geri Horner, aka Ginger Spice, at the Euros?

Karen said she was ‘starstruck’ when she met Spice Girl Geri Horner (Picture: Shutterstock)

I did meet Geri. She was so excited. She’s been to a lot of the games recently and has got a genuine interest in women’s football, which is really cool. She brought her daughter. It’s about inspiring the next generation and that’s exactly what’s happened. It was really funny when I met her. I was like, ‘Please can I do the Girl Power sign? I’ve got to do it.’ It was incredible. She was quite huggy. I thought, ‘I’m being proper hugged by a Spice Girl!’ I was a bit starstruck.

Did you watch Jill Scott on I’m A Celebrity?

Jill Scott was crowned the 2022 Queen of the Jungle by Ant & Dec (Picture: Daily Mail)

I did. The last one I picked up was when she was drinking all those random drinks. She’s brilliant because she has got so many sides to her personality. She is exactly what she is.

She can go into athlete mode if she has to jump off a building or if she has to drink something that no one wants to drink. She also has empathy and understanding when she needs to step in, and then she also recognises when she needs to be funny.

That arena is very familiar to her, having been in football camp. All those dances you see with Jill are what she does in real life. I’ve known Jill for 21 years and she is the best human. I would have been astounded if she hadn’t won I’m A Celebrity. She is incredible.

Would you ever do I’m A Celebrity or are you too private a person?

I’m vegan so that would be a little bit tricky in the jungle. I know they do options now. You never know what the future brings but I think it’s more for Jill than me.

How has your life changed since you retired from football in 2019?

My whole life now is pretty much work and rest and Netflix and chill at home. I cook a little more. I moved house recently and I’ve taken everything a lot more slowly and been quite happy to be at home. I love where I live, going for coffees and a little walk on the river. One thing I’ve learned is I’m pretty private. I’m very protective of anyone who’s involved in my life.

How easy are you to buy Christmas presents for?

I’m really hard to buy presents for. I say, ‘I don’t really want anything, to be honest.’ You’re gonna laugh but the best present I got recently for my birthday only cost £15. It was a miniature tactics board. I was blown away by it – but literally a dressing gown will do.

Carney is part of ITV’s Men’s World Cup 2022 commentary team

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