England legend Jill Scott has enjoyed more success after being named the winner of British reality show I’m a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here! Scott was crowned Queen of the Jungle after featuring in the programme’s 22nd series.
A number former footballers have appeared on the ITV show since it first aired in 2002, including the likes of David Ginola and Ian Wright, but Scott is the first ever female footballer to do so.
An incredibly popular member of the Lionesses’ side before her retirement this past summer – often described as the joker of the team – here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about Scott.
Who is Jill Scott?
| Date of birth: | February 2, 1987 |
| Place of birth: | Sunderland, England |
| England caps (goals): | 161 (27) |
| Former clubs: | Sunderland, Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa |
Jill Scott is a former footballer who played as a midfielder. She was born in Sunderland on February 2, 1987.
She started her playing career with her hometown club before moving to Everton in 2006, at the age of 19. Scott spent seven years with the Toffees, winning the FA Women's Premier League Cup in 2008 and the Women's FA Cup in 2010.
It was with Manchester City, who she joined in 2013, that she really racked up the honours, though. Scott won both the FA Cup and the Continental Cup on three occasions with the club, while also winning the Women's Super League in 2016.
How many England caps did Jill Scott get?
Scott is perhaps most well-known for her international career. The 35-year-old is one of only two players, men and women, to win over 150 caps for England, amassing 161 appearances for the Lionesses before retiring in August 2022.
That decision followed the incredible achievement of winning the Euros just a month earlier - a home Euros no less, with the trophy lifted in front of a sell-out Wembley crowd after a 2-1 victory over Germany in extra time.
Scott was also a runner-up at the Euros in 2009 in her career, won a Bronze medal at the 2015 Women’s World Cup and represented Great Britain at two Olympic Games. In the 2020 New Year Honours, she received an MBE for her services to women’s football.
When did Jill Scott retire from football?
Scott announced her retirement from football on August 23, 2022. The decision saw her bring the curtain down on a career which spanned 17 years.
"Today, I may be saying my goodbyes to football, but we’re going to make this a celebration," Scott wrote of her decision in The Players' Tribune. "No sad faces!! We’ve had too much fun for any tears."
Who is Jill Scott's partner?
Scott announced in March 2020 than she was engaged to her long-term partner, Shelly Unitt. The pair own a coffee shop in Manchester together, called Boxx 2 Boxx.
Shelly's sister, Rachel, was a team-mate of Scott's during her time Everton and while playing for England, too.
Who was in I’m a Celebrity 2022?
| Celebrity | Known for |
|---|---|
| Babatunde Aleshe | Actor and comedian |
| Boy George | Popstar |
| Charlene White | Television presenter |
| Chris Moyles | Radio and television presenter |
| Jill Scott | Former England footballer |
| Matt Hancock | Conservative Party politician |
| Mike Tindall | Former England rugby player |
| Olivia Attwood | Television personality |
| Owen Warner | Actor |
| Scarlette Douglas | Television presenter |
| Sue Cleaver | Actress |
Scott was joined by 10 other contestants in the jungle for I'm a Celebrity. Among them were former England rugby star Mike Tindall, Karma Chameleon singer Boy George and former UK government minister Matt Hancock.
You can see the full list of celebrity participants above.
Jill Scott celebrates winning I'm A Celebrity
Scott was the early frontrunner to win the programme and was quick to celebrate her victory.
"It’s coming home, it’s coming, the jungle crown is coming home. To everyone who voted, thank you for making this happen. Now time for that flat white," she wrote on Twitter.
Manchester City player Lauren Hemp posted a message of congratulations on Twitter and said that Scott was "one of the best people you’d ever get to meet and the world's fallen in love with you too."
Aston Villa women's team manager Carla Ward, who coached Scott in 2021-22, was convinced Scott would prevail before she even entered the jungle.
"I think she'll win it," Ward told reporters. "Jill is an unbelievable character, she's an unbelievable individual. She's so positive and so lively. She's got a bag full of stories, so she'll keep the jungle entertained, for sure."
When Scott announced she was entering the jungle on social media, San Diego head coach Casey Stoney wrote: "Putting my money on already! Good luck." Bristol City coach Anita Asante replied: "Woohoo, can't wait to watch ya girl".
Scott spoke about trying to add another winner's medal to her collection after the Euros before the programme started. "I just want to go in there and have fun," she told the Daily Mail. "It's definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"But yeah, a small part of me does feel like I'm representing the women's football world and hopefully I can do them proud." And she certainly did.