Eric Cantona Rejected Record Pay Cheque to Appear on I'm a Celebrity

Former Manchester United forward Eric Cantona reportedly turned down an eye-watering amount of cash to appear on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.

Cantona, 59, was one of United’s best players during the mid to late 1990s. His 82 goals and 63 assists in 185 appearances for the Red Devils coincided with the club winning four Premier League titles and two FA Cups between 1992 and 1997.

“King Eric” was not one to suppress his feelings and often voiced his, at times, outlandish takes on topics such as football and politics.

In May 1997, the Frenchman retired from football at just 30 years old before going on to feature in many French and English films such as ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Looking for Eric’.

His other ventures included becoming player-coach of France’s beach football team as well as acting as director of soccer for the New York Cosmos.

It’s fair to say, due to his premature retirement, Cantona left football fans and the public wanting more.

Eric Cantona in action for Manchester United (Credit:Getty)

And UK TV audiences were almost treated to Cantona being on popular reality TV show ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’.

The ITV show will air its 25th season later this week, with former Lioness Alex Scott set to take part.

Previously, an array of sports stars have taken part in the show, including former England international Ian Wright, ex-Spurs head coach Harry Redknapp, as well as former Premier League players Neil Ruddock, Jimmy Bullard, Kieron Dyer, Wayne Bridge, and Dennis Wise.

And despite the show providing an opportunity for some good PR as well as a hefty payday, Cantona turned down the chance to take part.

Speaking to BBC 5 Live in 2017, the show’s former producer Jim Allen said: “We tried to basically get £1 million to offer to Eric Cantona.

“Now I’m not sure we ever got £1 million together, but I did get a message back saying Eric Cantona wouldn’t do it even if we gave him a million.

Eric Cantona turned down a hefty payday (Credit:Getty)

“For me, Eric Cantona would be the booking that would excite me.”

In 2020, show producer Richard Cowles also claimed that he liked the idea of Cantona “talking French” and “coming up with really profound things” on the show.

Cowles also added that he would like to see Sir Alex Ferguson on the show during an interview with The Sun – although he admitted that it “will never happen”.