Footy legend Peter Daicos reveals the hidden health problem that made his family fear for him when he was on I'm A Celebrity

Collingwood legend Peter Daicos earned a reputation as one of the hard men of footy but has now revealed the health fears his family had ahead of his appearance on reality show I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

Daicos played his entire career of 250 games with Collingwood, scoring a total of 549 goals over 15 years. 

That included winning the 1990 AFL Premiership, being awarded the Goal of the Year in 1991, and earning induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. 

Daicos was renowned for his exceptional goal-scoring ability, particularly from challenging angles, which earned him the nickname 'The Magician' and led him to be named in Collingwood's Team of the Century. 

But it was his recent tilt at the jungle-based reality show that really tested his mettle and the Magpies great said he was extremely proud to have lasted for 25 days after his elimination on Monday. 

That stint in the jungle came with protests from his family, though, including Collingwood premiership heroes Josh and Nick Daicos.  

'I'll be honest, the family wasn't happy,' Daicos, 62, said after losing 10kg during his time on the show.

'Part of me wanted to do it because of the challenge, but I'd had some health problems and I said if I can get through something like this and I was getting stronger mentally, then I could say I'm back.

'I had a hernia in 2022 and it's taken me a little while. It changed the way I eat and I lost a lot of weight. The recovery was a lot slower than if I'd had it done even five years ago but mentally and physically I feel good and that's why I wanted to do it.'

Daicos admitted his secret to staying sharp in the jungle was cold showers in the morning and even colder swims during the day to keep his mind active. 

'I am honestly rapt to have got through it,' Daicos said.

'Someone said something about conscious eating and simple things like eating a banana, which was the first bit of sugar I had, I used to look at it and just throw it in the bin.

'I can't wait to speak to the boys. They are so proud and so is [my daughter] Maddie and Coll [wife Colleen]. 

'That's the thing, they're in the public eye and part of it was, 'dad, don't say anything you shouldn't say'. I said before I went I know how I'm going to handle it.'

More than 30 years after his successful career, Daicos said he misses the excitement that football brought him but appreciates the continued support from Collingwood fans, who have also shown great affection towards his sons. 

'I was a different type of player, didn't rely on hard running. I was more get it, buy a bit of time, space, and then I could get it on. One thing I could do is use the ball,' he said.

'My focus was always on the football, so I didn't know what was coming. All I used to look at was basically socks and feet and basically just paddle the ball and work my way through the maze.

'I knew how good I was, no one could do what I could do. And I'm not being (arrogant). I'm proud of being an original. I'm not your proto standard thing. I was different with the way I played, the way I moved. 

'Josh can do things along similar lines, and I think Nick also. The movements, the way they approach on the ball, maybe it's after they get the ball, just what they do to buy space or get the ball on.'