- The Jungle Camp and its public favorite
Starting August 16th, RTL will air daily episodes of "I'm a Celebrity - Showdown of the Jungle Legends" at 8:15 PM. The fun begins on RTL+ a day earlier, on August 15th. Thirteen contestants are vying to become the ultimate legend and take home the €100,000 prize. Joining them in the summer jungle camp is former footballer and reality star Thorsten Legat (55). He's not just a 2016 Dschungelcamp contestant; he's also remained loyal to the RTL show since then.
Born in Bochum, Legat played 243 Bundesliga games during his professional football career, including stints with VfL Bochum and Werder Bremen. After retiring in 2001 due to a knee injury, he worked as a coach for various clubs. However, he gained more attention through his TV appearances. After participating in several Raab events, he entered the jungle in 2016 for the tenth season of "I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here!". Although he had to concede the jungle crown to Menderes Bagci (39), he managed to finish in third place.
"Kasalla" and Star Hunting
He quickly became a fan favorite and made a name for himself with his motivational catchphrase "Kasalla" (Rhenish for trouble, commotion). With determination and motivation, he tackled the challenges, completing four of them. In trials like "Cavern Torture" or "The Defective Promi Dinner", he always managed to secure all the stars. However, the joint trial with Menderes and Jürgen Milski, "The Great Prize of Murwillumbah", ended up as a zero-star round. His disputes with fellow camper Helena Fürst (50) also remain memorable.
After his participation, Legat stayed connected to the reality format. In 2019, he appeared as a Drill Instructor and made several cameos in the 13th season. In 2020, he returned as a sidekick and was part of "Dr. Bob's Australia", where camp doctor Dr. Bob took him and Evelyn Burdecki (35) on a tour of his homeland, showcasing its highlights. Among Legat's other jungle engagements are appearances in "I'm a Celebrity - The Great Dschungelshow" (2021), "The Dschungelstars Reunion" (2022), or "I'm a Celebrity - The Hour After" (2023).
New Strategy in the Summer Dschungelcamp
At the beginning of the year, RTL celebrated the 20th anniversary of the show, and Legat on Instagram wrote about his visit to "The Hour After": "Yesterday marked the start of the 17th season, and I was thrilled to still be a part of this fantastic show." With each new season, he feels a longing to "return to that place, despite it being one of the toughest 18 days of my life".
Legat will soon be back in the jungle for the Legends edition. The 55-year-old, who describes himself as a "motivator, kind-hearted person, and team player", has become "calmer", as he told RTL. "You need a certain strategy now because the audience can't vote. Hardcore methods and outbursts won't get you far; you need to approach things with kindness and cleverness."
Physically, he feels "top fit". He maintains his fitness through combat sports and fitness, and meditates several times a week. Moreover, he has "overeaten" and gained more than twelve kilos. He can only advise everyone to "eat well" before going to the jungle camp. "I'd advise everyone to do that. Otherwise, you'll start having hallucinations down there. You'll start seeing buns flying by." Legat refers to the jungle camp as "the Champions League. If you survive that, I've always said, you can survive anything." It's no easy task, aside from the hunger, one can encounter health issues, one must show resilience and overcome personal challenges. He's not just going into the camp to prove himself. "I'm doing this for my family. I'm doing this for my kids. It's a small message: Yes, you can still perform at 55."
In his football career, Legat played for multiple clubs, including VfL Bochum and SV Werder Bremen. During the Legends edition of "I'm a Celebrity - Showdown", Legat mentioned that he needs a different strategy due to the audience not being able to vote.
Being a dedicated sports enthusiast, Legat maintains his physical fitness through combat sports, fitness training, and regular meditation sessions. His love for football is evident as he referred to the jungle camp as "the Champions League", a challenge he is ready to face for his family.
