A wise move? Leeds United fans can menace Dennis if he goes into I'm A Celebrity

Wise, after all, was the man in charge as Leeds were relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time in their illustrious history.

Now, a decade on, United’s supporters will finally have him at their mercy if, as expected, he takes his place as a contestant on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The 50-year-old has already flown to Australia, where the jungle-based reality TV show is filmed, ahead of its eagerly-awaited return to the nation’s screens this weekend.

Viewers back home will, as usual, get the chance to decide which of the programme’s contestants have to tackle its infamous – and not for the faint-hearted – bushtucker trials.

And, once the series hits its stride, they will also be able to vote for their best-liked celebrities and choose this year’s king or queen of the jungle.

Wise, who quit Elland Road in 2008, is being seen as an outsider for the crown, with bookmaker William Hill rating him a 14/1 shot to win.

But the show’s producers are apparently confident that the former Chelsea and England player will prove a shrewd signing.

A source on I’m A Celebrity told The Sun: “Dennis was known for his competitive style on the pitch and bosses hope he will bring the same to the jungle.

“He doesn’t mince words and will have a few opinions that’ll make great telly.”

Other famous faces reportedly lined up for the series include Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas, Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine, boxer Amir Khan and politician Boris Johnson’s dad Stanley.

The show starts on ITV on Sunday evening and will mark co-host Ant McPartlin’s return to the limelight after a spell in rehab.

A string of familiar names with Yorkshire connections have appeared on I’m A Celebrity since it first aired back in 2002.

Model and presenter Nell McAndrew, who grew up in the Belle Isle area of Leeds, took part in the programme’s opening series.

She was followed into the jungle in 2005 by former Emmerdale actress Sheree Murphy, who is married to one-time Leeds United player Harry Kewell.

Another Emmerdale favourite, Malandra Burrows, sampled life in TV’s most famous wilderness camp in 2006.

And 2016’s batch of celebrities included Carol Vorderman, best known as numbers queen of TV quiz Countdown during the period it was filmed on Kirkstall Road on Leeds.

Former footballers who have appeared on the show over the years include Wayne Bridge, Kieron Dyer and Jimmy Bullard.