'I really miss competing,' says the King of the Jungle

Since winning I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here ..., the reality-TV show, you've been very much been in the media spotlight. Were you surprised to win it?
Yeah, I was. I just went in to have a laugh, with no game-plan or tactics, but pleased it went well. When you're in there, you don't have a clue what's going on in the outside world or how you're being received. But it's all been very positive since I came back.

Had you always wanted to be in the media once you retired?
I hadn't given it much thought, to be honest, but I wanted to do something along those lines - I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather do. I'm not sure what you call me now, a TV personality, someone in the media business, but whatever it is I'm pretty busy at the moment. I've been doing They Think It's All Over, my show on Radio Five Live, and there are a few more things in the pipeline. It's all good fun, a lot different to being a cricketer.

So have you made any new cool celebrity friends?
Not really. You see them here and there at dos and functions, and I always say hello. I get on well with them. But, as I say in my new video, they're OK, but none of them drink pints.

Ah yes, your new video, Tuffers on Tour, came out on Monday. What can we expect in it?
Lots of sporting anecdotes, me talking about my playing days, the funny moments, places I've toured, guys I've played with and against, that sort of thing. I also do some weird sports, like rally-driving, go-karting, and the luge. It's just a bit of fun, there's a bit of stand-up, a bit about me in the jungle, my career so far, and what I'm doing next.

Did you enjoy doing it?
Very much so. I was a bit nervous at first, but was very pleased with how it went, and I've had lots of good feedback so far, which is good.

Do you miss playing?
Well, I still play for Lashings [the celebrity club side in Kent], which is great. Charity cricket is enough for me at the moment. But of course I miss playing professionally - it's something I've done virtually all my life. I miss the banter and the boys, and I really miss competing. But there comes a time when you've got to do other things than chase a red ball around round a field all the time.

Do you have any plans to return to the game at all?
Well, as I said, playing for Lashings is keeping my arm and eye ticking over, but I'm not sure about going back professionally. I might do a bit of coaching if I'm asked by someone. Whether that would be on a one-to-one basis or as coach of a team I'm not sure, but it's definitely something I'd consider - that's if anyone wants me. I'm busy these days with my media work, but I love following sport so I will definitely try and stay in the game in some way.

Phil Tufnell in action for Lashings © Getty Images

But you're not going to do what others, like Alec Stewart has just done, and emphasise a wish to give something back to the game?
I understand why he did that. People forget it's something that we've been doing all our life, so we naturally want stay in that field. Alec chose to stay in the sporting world with his new business role, and I have done too, but in a different way.

So if a county offered you a one-year contract next summer, would you accept it?
Never say never.

Is that a yes?
As I said, never say never.

Do you still watch the game?
Of course. I watch the boys on TV when I can. I'm an avid sports follower.

Would you prefer to watch Middlesex or Arsenal?
Well, ideally I would watch the boys during the day and then go to see the Arsenal in the evening. I'm definitely going to try and pop down to Lord's a lot more next summer when I've got more time on my hands.

So you're a fan of the county game?
Yes, definitely. It's in a good state, people knock it too much. I learnt my trade there, and the move to two divisions has proved a success, so let's just get on with it and stop complaining. And on the matter of too much being played, I don't know many games where you get any better by not playing it.

Do you still keep in touch with your former team-mates?
Yeah. When you're in that circle of people you always bump into them at dinners and that sort of thing. There are so many of them, and everyone's busy doing their own thing so it's quite hard to keep in touch all the time, so it's good to see them when I can.

Who's your best mate from your playing days?
Robin Smith, without a doubt. We went on a few tours together and had a lot of good times. Judgie's one of the nicest blokes you'll meet.

England are struggling to find world-class spinners since you retired. How highly do you rate Ashley Giles?
Ashley's a good, solid bowler. He's proved he can take wickets on helpful pitches, but he's been getting a bit of stick recently. We all have dips in form, and hopefully he and the coaching staff can sort his problems out. When you're the only spinner in the team you're out on your own a bit. The pressure's on as you're the only specialist. You have six or seven batsmen, three or four seamers, but usually only one spinner. But I'm sure he'll be able to handle it and do well in Sri Lanka.

And have you seen much of Gareth Batty?
Yeah, he seems a good steady bowler, I've been impressed. Him and Ashley are going to have a lot of work on their hands in Sri Lanka, though, as the spinners will be doing the bulk of the bowling. And that's why I think it was a good idea to call up Robert Croft as extra cover.

Who would you say is the best spinner in the country?
I wouldn't say there is a No. 1 spinner at the moment. What we really need is a mystery spinner. It's not the be-all and end-all for a side, but if you look at someone like Shane Warne or Murali you see what a difference they make. Sadly we're not close to finding one at the moment, but we'll get there one day. I'd still go for Giles at the moment, but Batty and Crofty will be hot on his heels.

If England gave you the call to go to Sri Lanka would you still be up to the job?
Who knows? I'll make sure my mobile is switched on. But they don't need me, they're doing well at the moment. We drew with South Africa, beat Bangladesh convincingly, and I expect us to win another closely fought affair in Sri Lanka. It will be a fantastic series, and as I'm there doing commentary with Radio Five I'll be able to cheer the boys on.

Darren Gough recently said there weren't enough characters in the England side. Do you agree?
It's up to the boys to create an identity for themselves and form some individuality. It's important to have a few characters in the team, especially when you're on tour and things aren't going that well, as may happen in Sri Lanka. But you've got the likes of James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff, who are already well-recognised players, and I'm sure they will emerge more as they settle and mature.

Who were the best characters you played with and against?
Oh goodness, far too many to mention I'm afraid. I've played with and against lots of good fellas, but I guess Warnie stands out. It was always a good battle up against him, even though he usually came out on top.

How would you describe your England career?
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I loved the tours, representing my country, I met lots of good blokes and was very lucky to be part of great teams. My only regret was that I never scored a Test-match hundred, but I'm sure it was just around the corner.

What are your plans for the future?
Well, I'm busy promoting my video at the moment, but I've got another series of They Think It's All Over to come soon, and then my commentary in Sri Lanka. There are other things on the horizon too, so you'll all just have to wait and see.

And lastly, if you had to take one celebrity and one cricketer back to the jungle with you, who would you choose?
Robin Smith and Pamela Anderson, you can't go wrong there.