Eric Cantona is top of the wish list for this year's 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' line-up.

Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona

The 53-year-old retired French soccer player - who played for Manchester United between 1992 to 1997 - is most-wanted to head to the Australian jungle later this year as bosses believe he would be TV gold with his bizarre comments and behaviour.

Speaking at a Royal Television Society talk in Birmingham, show producer Richard Cowles said: "I just like the idea of Eric Cantona talking in French and coming up with really profound things. That would be good."

In the 1990s, Eric was one of the most talented and controversial players to ever grace the Premier League.

He infamously karate kicked a Crystal Palace fan during a match at Selhurst Park after the spectator hurled abuse at him from the crowd.

'King Eric' was sentenced to two weeks in jail, but was reduced to 120 hours of community service and was banned from football for eight months.

Speaking to the media about the ruling, he said: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea."

Following his retirement of football in 1997, Eric became an actor and landed a role next to Cate Blanchett in the 1998 film 'Elizabeth'.

More recently, the football legend featured in Liam Gallagher's music video for 'Once'.

He can be seen taking up his 'King' mantle with a cloak and crown as he wanders through his palace singing the tune.

Although Liam is a lifelong Manchester City fan, he was "thrilled" to get Cantona in the promo.

He said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have Eric Cantona, the last rock 'n' roll footballer, star in my video for 'Once'.

"Songs like this don't come around very often and neither do football players like him."


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