By Elliott West
“The things I do for Barry Hearn, eh?”
Jimmy White
Introduction
The year was 2009 and in the December of that year, celebrities from all walks of life took the long plane journey to Australia to take part in the annual event of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! Amongst the guests were one of the legends of the green baize, Jimmy White. A snooker player who decided to give up his place at the UK Championship qualifiers and swap potting balls for the complex challenges and bug eating of this highly viewed game show presented by the comical presenters’ Ant and Dec. Perhaps the reported appearance fee of between £65,000 to £100,000, sugar-coated this arduous task but such a challenge bring with it a springboard to media headlines and a potential jungle crown.
Jimmy was later followed by his fellow former world champion Steve Davis who won everything available in the snooker trophy cabinet and appeared on our television screens as a contestant in 2013. A decision that turned the spotlight on the actual person behind the snooker player persona. A campaign that left him leaving the Australian jungle in 8th place. It is actually a myth that this Essex-born ‘Nugget’ is boring, Davis has a great sense of humour and is a skilled DJ. This contrived perception of Steve led to a string of advertising campaigns and television appearances, thanks to his masterful manager Barry Hearn.
Tackling the Jungle
In a year where Jimmy White was joined by the likes of fellow contestants Gino D’Acampo, George Hamilton and the cleaning goddess Kim Woodburn, this was a challenge that gave the Tooting-born player plenty of time to reflect on life and strike up friendships with Gino and George. In this fictional world where the two caps consisted of Crock Creek and Snake Rock, Jimmy quickly lost weight, leaving Australia 22lb lighter and where one of his trials involved him having to eat a chocolate-coated cockroach.
White carried with him an abundance of public support and there was obviously a risk that this could be tarnished by a television appearance that frankly exposes warts and all of any celebrity. Thankfully this didn’t happen and although initially nervous when the cameras started rolling, presented the person that I and so many who know him admire and love. ‘The Whirlwind’ is a public image but behind the media bravado is a man who is very kind, sensitive and funny. Yes, he doesn’t take fools lightly and often says it how it is but when he forms a friendship bond with someone, he is always there for you and is highly protective of those who he cares about.
Life after the Jungle
Jimmy White finished in a respectable third place in the competition behind Kim and the overall winner that year Gino. Buoyant from his television appearance, White fancied his chances at the Masters when he returned to the UK and was given a wildcard to play in it. However, his success in the jungle wouldn’t be repeated on the baize and he was drawn against one tough cookie in the form of Mark King. A 200-1 shot at the start of this prestigious snooker event, White last won the title in 1984, beating Terry Griffiths 9-5 in the final but now at 47, White had his work cut out.
The Londoner was hungry after being in his Australian setting but alas it was not to be and probably due to a lack of practice, White lost his opening match 6-2 to Mark King. Again nervous, Jimmy couldn’t keep control of the cue ball and looked like a shadow of his former self, unable to reproduce some of the magic that earned him ten, ranking, professional titles. An error-strewn and somewhat deflated, Jimmy left the arena disappointed.
Afterthoughts
Jimmy is still one of the most popular players in snooker and now at the age of 60, still commands the respect that he deserves from his loyal fans and the snooker family. Gameshow appearances are always highly risky but in this case, the endurance was well worth the effort. White didn’t act like a diva, he rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in. He played the game as it should be played and highly entertained the ITV audience. His likeability shone though and he wasn’t afraid to wash in the creek in just his underpants. This is a man who has survived testicular cancer, bankruptcy and divorce. Feats that would test any person’s mental strength and determination. White may not always win but he is still a born winner to so many and someone who has become a very successful Eurosport snooker pundit.
