Ladbrokes Banks on Carlton being fresh King of the Jungle

It’s been 17 years since he strutted his stuff alongside Will Smith as Carlton Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air but when it comes to betting on this year’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here, Alfonso Ribeiro has all the moves to win it.

While Joey Essex remains the favourite to be crowned King of the Jungle at 13/8 with snooker legend Steve Davis second in the betting at 9/2, the enduring popularity of the 42-year-old US television star could see him spring a surprise.

Ribeiro can be backed at 8/1 to claim the reality television crown and though that puts him just behind Westlife’s Kieran Egan in the market, with the boyband member available at 7/1, he looks a worthwhile outside punt.

The pint-sized star certainly has the capacity to prove a popular addition to the show, having revealed that, firstly, he has watched very little of the show previously and that, secondly, he is afraid of snakes, lizards, bugs and confined spaces – pretty much everything he is about to face.

Fans of the Fresh Prince, which was a popular fixture on the BBC throughout the 90s, could vote for Ribeiro in their millions in the hope of not only keeping him in the jungle but subjecting him to the kind of bushtucker trial horrors that may see him wheel out the familiar Carlton shriek.

And then there is the dance.

Though the actor has claimed he will only wheel out his familiar fusion of flailing arms and legs once he completes his jungle stay, success during one of the trials or challenges that take place in the ITV spectacle could, in the paraphrased words of Eminem, see him lose himself in the music, the moment.

Earlier this year viewers of the Graham Norton show were treated to a brief glimpse of the familiar dance in action as Ribeiro joined former co-star and long-time friend Smith on set to perform their popular routine.

The good news for all concerned was that, despite the passing of time, Carlton is still able to breakout all his trademark moves.

And who knows? We could yet be treated to another rather unique dance – this time of the victory variety.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim three £10 free bets when you bet £10.