Welling's Jimmy Bullard was sent for an early bath as he became the first celebrity booted out of the jungle.

The chirpy camp jester said he was "gutted" to get his marching orders from I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! after 17 days, having failing to win over the public voters.

But the former Premier League footballer said he was glad he had taken part and made good friends with motorbike racing legend Carl Fogarty and former X Factor hopeful Jake Quickenden, tipping them both for victory.

The ex-Wigan, Hull and Fulham player joked: "I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm going to stay mates with all of them, well unless they all delete my number."

Bullard left the Australia-based show after losing a public vote against Fogarty, television personality Melanie Sykes and rapper Tinchy Stryder.

He admitted that he had struggled a bit with a lack of sleep but said being surrounded by people was "a buzz" which reminded him of a football team dressing room during his playing days.

He added: "I get it from people 100% and from the show itself, a buzz. First of all I didn't sleep much and I love my kip. It's the buzz of the whole thing and definitely the people around me."

Bullard's early dismissal was a shock to bookies, who said it would have been costly for punters as he had been one of the early favourites to win the whole series.

Bookmaker Coral said he was 9-1 to be evicted against 7-2 to win before being sent off on tonight's show.

Spokeswoman Nicola McGeady said: "Bullard's eviction has come as one of the biggest shock's in the shows history, with punters banking on Tinchy Stryder leaving tonight."

There was no shortage of public outcry on Twitter after Jimmy's departure from the jungle:

— Mordrake (@thereandbkagain) December 1, 2014

— Luke (@_LGomm) December 1, 2014