Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan has been confirmed for this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The 63-year-old, who was known as The Clones Cyclone, became a world champion boxer back in 1985.
After a decorated boxing career, the Monaghan native retired in 1989 with a 32-3 (28 KOs) record.
Speaking ahead of his appearance on I’m A Celeb, Barry said the physical and psychological aspect of the show appealed to him.
“It can be physically arduous, but it’s the psychological part of it that I want to conquer before I get too old,” he explained.
“I’m 63 now. I’d like to think I’m a young 63, but that doesn’t mean it’ll make any of these challenges easy. I’d rather do it when I’m 63, than 73, put it that way.”
Of how he thinks he’ll do, Barry admitted: “I’d like to do well. I’m not saying I’m going to win, but I’d like to be in there for a sustained amount of time so that I can get to know all of the guys in camp.”
Outside of his boxing career, Barry married his childhood sweetheart Sandra in 1981.
The couple went on to have four children – sons Shane, Jake and Blain, and daughter Danika.
Their only daughter, who was nicknamed Nika, tragically passed away at the age of 33 in 2019 following a brief battle with colon cancer.
Nika was a rising star in the acting world, and starred in a number of film and TV productions before her death, including the screen adaptation of Sebastian Barry’s novel The Secret Scripture.
However, the actress was best known for her role in RTÉ’s hit comedy series Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, alongside Seána Kerslake and Amy Huberman.
In a statement released through her agency at the time, Nika’s heartbroken family said: “It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister, Danika ‘Nika’ McGuigan.”
“After a brief but brave battle against cancer, Nika passed away peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday 23rd July, surrounded by her loving family.”
“As a family we are devastated and ask for complete privacy during this difficult period to allow us to grieve for our Nika,” they added.
After she was laid to rest, Barry took to Twitter to pay tribute to his beloved daughter.
He wrote: “The most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do was to say goodbye to my amazing daughter Nika earlier this week.”
“She has been a shining light in our family’s lives for the past 33 years. Nika was an extremely talented and inspirational young lady who radiated kindness and love.
A tribute to my wonderful daughter Nika. pic.twitter.com/Ka6Viq1MAV
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) August 2, 2019
“Our hearts are broken and we know that life will never be the same again for us. However, Nika lives on in so many parts of our lives which we are grateful for,” he continued.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who sent flowers, cards, Mass cards, Instagram messages, Facebook, Twitter, texts and email messages of condolences and support.
“There are simply too many to answer individually so I want to use this opportunity to say a huge thank you to each and everyone of you. The family greatly appreciate them,” he added.
In 2021, Barry had viewers of The Late Late Show in tears as he opened up about the death of his daughter Nika for the first time.
This took huge courage. Thank you to Barry McGuigan @clonescyclone for sharing with us about the loss of his beloved daughter Danika.
For anyone experiencing grief, The Bereavement Support Line is a national freephone service 1800 80 70 77 (10am-1pm, Mon-Fri) #latelate pic.twitter.com/3LJX3xV6gK
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) January 15, 2021
Speaking to the show’s then-host Ryan Tubridy, the former boxing champion broke down in tears as he discussed the weeks before her sudden passing.
Struggling to get his words out, the former pro boxer said Nika died just one month after she discovered she had cancer.
Detailing her final days, Barry said: “She knew how much we all loved her, we were there everyday.”
“She tried to be strong, but then her organs started to fail… and then she lost consciousness on the 17th of July. She sort of went into a coma. We were all around her bed when she took her last breath.”
