Real reason Barry McGuigan should have aced coffin trial revealed – despite boxer flunking with zero stars
POORLY-sighted former boxer Barry McGuigan once underwent laser-eye surgery to fix his deteriorating vision.
And he may need it again after he failed to collect a single star on the first challenge on Sunday night because he could not see a thing.
Barry, 63, was unable to crack padlock codes in the dark while trapped in a coffin with 15 snakes due to his issue.
He was frustrated with himself – but became the butt of the jokes among viewers and hosts Ant and Dec, who joked about the Irishman’s sight.
Barry’s eyesight began deteriorating when he was just 39, and he made the decision to get laser-eye surgery in 2013 – giving him “20/20 vision”.
He underwent the eight-minute treatment at the London Vision Clinic on Harley Street after getting advice from his pal, former This Morning host Phillip Schofield.
Dad-of-four Barry said previously: “I was flying across the Atlantic a lot and reading loads of statistics in poor light and invariably the muscles around my eyes were affected.
“I was struggling to read, present and coach properly.
“I started wearing glasses and from then my sight continued to deteriorate quickly.”
He added: “It was amazing. My only regret is I didn’t do it sooner.
“I’ve now got 20/20 vision and don’t need glasses.”
Barry was partnered up with McFly singer Danny Jones for the race into camp on Sunday night’s opening episode, with the pair coming second.
Speaking before he entered the jungle, Barry revealed he had been warned by producers about using language which might offend others.
He said: “With how the world is evolving, with all the politics that are involved in everyday life, it’s virtually impossible not to be occasionally politically incorrect.
“I’ve just had a number of discussions this morning with the production people, so that you do your best not to offend people, or not to say something that would be (offensive).
“But you know, you’re always learning, you’re always trying.
“And as we evolve as human beings and as we interact and all of that, there are certain ways of saying things and certain ways that you don’t say things.
“So if I offend anybody, or if I say something wrong, I will ask them how they would like me to address them.
“And therefore I want to get it right, and I want to hear it from them.”