- Dr. Bob has three favorites.
This season will be completely different!", raves Robert McCarron (74), better known as Dr. Bob, ahead of the start of "I'm a Celebrity - Showdown of the Jungle Legends". RTL will air the special edition recorded in South Africa with former jungle campers daily from Friday, August 16, at 8:15 PM in 17 episodes (already available on RTL+ from August 15). In an interview with the Cologne private broadcaster, the Australian, who has been caring for prominent participants since the first season in 2004, reveals what viewers can expect, which reunion he is looking forward to the most, and who his three favorites are.
Big Change for Dr. Bob
"The biggest difference is that all the stars in this season have already been in the jungle camp," explains the paramedic, who does not have a doctorate in real life. "Also, the audience will not decide who has to face a jungle trial and who has to leave the camp. That was also a big change for me. I wasn't quite sure how that would work."
For the jungle veteran, there were 13 former candidates and candidates to reunite with in South Africa. "I was very much looking forward to Sarah Knappik - especially because she is a mother now," reveals the 74-year-old. Sarah "Dingens" Knappik (37) was the nerve-wracking campmate in 2011. Five stars eventually threatened to quit together if she didn't leave. In the end, the former "GNTM" model decided to leave voluntarily. He is also looking forward to Georgina Fleur (34), who has also become a mother. "And of course, my dear friend Thorsten Legat."
But in the past few years, "every star has meant so much to me." He greatly values their trust. "And I do everything in my power to protect them. I always want to make sure they have fun - even if life in the camp is tough." But Evelyn Burdecki (35), Prince Damien (33), and Thorsten Legat (55) have a special place in his heart. In the jubilee season, he counts Hanka Rackwitz (55), in addition to Legat and Sarah Knappik, as his personal favorite.
"Friends for Life"
"After the Legends season, I will have worked with over 200 prominent people since season 1," calculates Dr. Bob. "Every moment is full of funny things and sometimes also full of challenges. It's a gift for me to meet some of the true legends from previous seasons again." He has so many memories from the German seasons. "Sarah Knappik had problems with the trials and I had to save her often. But we became friends for life." He also has kind words for Rackwitz: "Hanka had some phobias. Especially because she didn't want anyone to touch her. On the way to the camp, she had a leech on her leg. I looked at her and she made a startled face. But she let me remove it. I'm very proud of her." She almost overcame all her phobias in the jungle and now even hugs him. He also has special memories of Brigitte Nielsen (61). She was very funny. "Once, there was a very large brown spider on the bed of a camper. She went there and said, 'Dr. Bob said if it's not black, it's okay.' Then she just flicked the spider away - to the amazement of all the other stars."
Exotic animals are not only found in Australia, where the Jungle Camp is usually filmed, but also in South Africa. Dr. Bob emphasizes that there are "extremely venomous snakes" both in and around the camp. Other animals may also have caused trouble for the stars and celebrities, as he suggests: "Monkeys could steal the stars' food. There are also leopards, crocodiles, and hippopotamuses. The latter are among the most dangerous animals in South Africa." There is also a difference in the food: "It will taste completely different from Australia. Since the stars have been to Australia before, they will notice the differences."
In the interview, Dr. Bob mentions his excitement to reunite with Sarah Knappik, who has become a mother since her jungle stint, expressing his fondness for her after their shared experiences in the jungle.
Dr. Bob also reminisces about a humorous incident with Brigitte Nielsen from a previous season, where she nonchalantly dealt with a large brown spider in the jungle camp, impressing everyone else.
