Meet the new CELEBRITY Ninjas
Top Aussie stars are rushing to sign up to prove their strength – and we couldn’t be more thrilled!
It’s the show the entire nation can’t stop talking about. Now Woman’s Day can exclusively reveal certified phenomenon Australian Ninja Warrior has sparked a showbiz frenzy – with major celebrities scrambling to secure a spot on the hit program ahead of its next season.
Following in the footsteps of first Bachelor Tim Robards, 34, and EX-NRL star Beau Ryan, 32, who both competed this season, those eager to head to Sydney’s Cockatoo Island to take on the massive obstacle course include world champion hurdler Jana Pittman, former Olympic swimmer Lisa Curry and AFL legend Chris Judd, 33. And in even more intriguing news, sources believe producers are already creating a “wish list” of other huge celebrity contenders.
“I’ve been glued to the TV,” Jana, 34, tells us exclusively. “I’d love to be on there with [Olympic gold medal rower] Kim Brennan – she’s phenomenal and we used to race together as kids. And I’d like to see [US track star] Marion Jones face plant because she’s a dirty cheat!”
I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star Lisa says she would like nothing more than to get revenge on the show’s host Julia Morris, 49, by going up against her in the daunting arena – but only if she’s given enough time to get her fitness levels up. “In my dreams, I would love to be on the show, but only if I had 12 months to prepare! I’m 55 now and as you get older it’s a bit more difficult. But I love the show and everyone’s been on the edge of their seat watching it,” she tells Woman’s Day.
As for her ex-husband Grant Kenny, 54 – who has form after competing on 1980s game show It’s A Knockout – Lisa thinks he’d be in with a chance if it wasn’t for an ankle injury.
“He’s hurt his Achilles tendon, so he’d struggle with the running. But he definitely has the upperbody strength,” she explains.
Excited fans have also been begging former The Biggest Loser star Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, 41, to appear on the show – but he’s ruled it out for the time being.
“It’s great. [I’m a] little too big for that type of stuff,” he replied to one of his many Twitter followers.
But while Steve might need more persuading, it’s believed his partner Michelle Bridges, 46, could be keen, despite her agent doing his best to deny it.
SPECULATION MOUNTS
Other Aussie stars rumoured to want to take on the formidable athletic test include tennis ace Lleyton Hewitt, 36, swimming gold medallist Stephanie Rice, 29, and Sydney Swans superstar Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin, 30.
Actor Firass Dirani, 33, says he’d love to go up against TV host Jason Dundas, 34, or model Pia Miller, 33. “Jason’s a fitness freak. So is Pia. It’d be great to see if they have the goods or not,” he says.
But perhaps most exciting of all, there are whispers secret bodybuilder Terri Irwin, 53, could be one of the biggest drawcards.
And while Channel Nine has ruled out the idea of a celebrity special for now, it’s not out of the question, with the US version holding a one-off charity show earlier this year. In the meantime, a spokesperson for the channel says they’d welcome any famous face who’s up for the challenge.
“ANW is a demanding course that requires participants to be in peak physical condition. Any celebrity who wanted to participate and test themselves would need to be mentally and physically ready, but we would welcome them to try out.”
We can see it now – Michelle and Jana battling it out on Mount Midoriyama in next year’s final... Now that’d make for great viewing!
‘In my y dreams, I would love to be on the show’ Lisa