Ben Cousins leaves fans in stitches after revealing how JAIL made him fall in love with classic Australian TV show: 'When I was locked up I did not miss an episode'

Ben Cousins left The Front Bar panel in stitches on Wednesday after revealing why Home and Away is his favourite TV show. 

Footy legend Cousins, 45, was the special guest on the panel show this week where he discussed his incredible career and how he is the happiest he has ever been.

Cousins's troubles away from the footy field are well documented, having been jailed on six occasions over 13 years, but the teetotal legend did not have a drink to hand on the show - where guests typically join the hosts in drinking beer.

And in a series of quickfire questions, Cousins revealed that one of his stints in jail helped form his love for classic Australian soap opera Home and Away.

When asked what he ranks as his favourite TV show, Cousins said: 'I've been watching Home and Away for a long time. When I was locked up I did not miss an episode.'

That answer left the panel and audience in stitches, with Cousins just as happy to poke fun at himself. 

The 45-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic 2024, taking on a role with Channel 7 in Western Australia as a newsreader, heading up the sport section of the programme. 

He is also the star recruit for this year's series of Dancing With The Stars. 

And reflecting on how life is going at present, Cousins could not be happier.   

'As hard as reading the news is, it's a lot easier than being the news,' he joked. 

'[I'm doing] really well actually. I wish it hadn't had to have taken this long and it had to run its course the way it did but it's nice to be working and be busy, have some real ambition back and being connected with friends, family and even on a community level. 

'Life's never been better to be honest.'

He admitted, though, that training for the dance competition has been far from easy.

'It's been so hard, this is just so out of anything I've ever done before,' he said. 

'It was hard to pick it up and it was just hard in terms of the hours required to do the show. 

'Having said that I have missed the life of a professioanl athlete. I wasnt moving like one but I was living the lifestyle like one.'

Cousins also revealed his favourite movie is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and that Geelong legend Cameron Ling is the toughest opponent he has ever faced.