RICHARD Madeley may be more than double Amir Khan’s age but he still managed to complete the horrific Bushtucker Trial that the boxer pulled out of.
Screaming Amir, 30, crumbled during Critter-cal rescue on Monday night after grabbing a snake and giving up – leaving the camp with no food, however it was no challenge for Richard, 61.
During spin-off show Extra Camp, Richard and former winner Joe Swash, 35, braved the task, which saw Richard hunting for keys among snakes and creepy crawlies – just like Amir tried, while Joe took on Georgia Toffolo’s role of lying in a coffin-like space which was filled with nasty insects
While Joe cried out throughout the 10 minute challenge as he helplessly waited for Richard to collect the keys, the dad-of-two was a calming presence.
As he battled through tunnels of spiders and snakes, he called to Joe: “I’m doing fine, hang on, I’m nearly there!
“You’ll be alright Joe.”
When Joe yelled, “I don’t know if I can take this anymore,” motivational Richard soothed, “Of course you can, you’re the king of the jungle!”
In fact the only time that Richard betrayed any sign of anxiety was when he was told he was crawling through terrifying green ants: “Yeah I can feel them, they really hurt,” he said.
While Amir didn’t manage to get any of the eight keys to unlock Toff from the coffin, Richard collected all eight and rescued a distraught Joe with aplomb.
The pair made it just in time, and as Joe mocked Amir’s defeat, dignified Richard simply smiled and mused: “Magnanimous in victory as always.”
Richard’s cool handling of the horrific task had viewers begging for him to join the main show – and developing feelings for him.
One tweeted: “Get Richard Madley in @ImACeIebUK #EXTRACAMP”
Another added: “How cool is @richardm56 �� I think I’m slightly in love!!😘 #ExtraCamp @ImACeIebUK @antanddec”
And a third gushed: “@richardm56 is like a real life #Indiana Jones ... #James Bond 😉 #imaceleb #extracamp”
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