WHEN ex Chelsea defender Jakob Kjeldbjerg retired from football aged just 27, he had to rethink his entire career.The former Denmark international, brought to Stamford Bridge by Glenn Hoddle in 1993, suffered a career-ending knee injury that forced him into retirement just four years later.
Jakob Kjeldbjerg is a footballer turned reality TV hostCredit: Lotta Lemche
Kjeldbjerg turned out for Chelsea in the 1990sCredit: Getty
He suffered a knee injury which forced him to retire in 1997Credit: Lotta Lemche
But, as fate would have it, Jakob found his true calling.
He’s the Ant and Dec of Danish TV, presenting TV3’s most popular reality TV show, Robinson Ekspeditionen.
Jakob has been working on the small screen for more than twenty years, also hosting I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
In 2018 SunSport spoke exclusively with the enigmatic television personality in the South of France to discuss his new-found fame.
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He began by talking about the moment he was told his life in football was over.
Kjeldbjerg said: “I remember it like it was yesterday. I was outside the London Independent Hospital with Mike Banks, the Chelsea physio.
“We had just seen a massive hole in my knee and I was asked what I wanted to do after football.
“Basically, they were saying that’s it. That was obviously horrible, but my nature was very much perhaps there are other opportunities in life.”
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Kjeldbjerg is now a TV presenter in his native DenmarkCredit: Instagram @jakobkjeldbjerg
He was one of Glenn Hoddle’s first signings at ChelseaCredit: Instagram @jakobkjeldbjerg
Before he became a Blue, Kjeldbjerg toyed with the idea of becoming a solicitor to have a career to fall back on.
He said: “Throughout my life I wanted to become a lawyer, but it never worked out.
“In 1992 I studied law in Denmark, but a few months into my studies I got called up by the national team while I was in a lesson. I haven’t read a book since!”
In 1997, he got his first TV break delivering punditry on Premier League football in his home country while living in West London.
“I was lucky enough to be asked to do some football commentary for Danish TV on a Chelsea match.
“I did that, grabbed the chance, and it went from there. It was a tough time for me, but I got a lucky break.
“When I’ve had a crisis from time-to-time with my TV job, sometimes I think I’ve got to go back to my studies.
“Now it’ll probably never happen. But being a lawyer was more important to me than becoming a footballer before I made it as a pro.
Kjeldbjerg has presented Robinson EkspeditionenCredit: Lotta Lemche
He has also worked on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!Credit: Instagram @jakobkjeldbjerg
“I wanted to help everybody get fair justice, including criminals.
“It was never on my agenda to work in TV. But I started taking an interest in writing and TV when I was injured and I was fascinated by it.
“I did interviews with Gianluca Vialli and Ruud Gullit for Danish TV. They knew me, so I didn’t have the journalist background but I had a foot inside the door.
“They were horrible interviews for Danish TV, but I learned how to do it. I have to admit, my TV work happened because I played football.
“My football career was fine, but I never really got enough years out of the game. It was certainly a stepping stone.”
Kjeldbjerg’s transition from the pitch to TV has been seamless. He believes it was his destiny.
He added: “My conclusion is that I was born to do TV, not born to be a footballer. I had some wonderful teammates and experiences, but I wasn’t made or destined to be a player.
“My last years at Chelsea were difficult, I had issues with my body and that was maybe a sign I had to do something else.
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“Also, being a footballer is quite narrow-minded, everything is taken care of for you. You have to perform on the pitch, if you don’t you’re off, then you don’t do anything.
“In the end, there wasn’t enough in it for me. And we were paid peanuts in comparison to the guys today. The players today wouldn’t get out of bed for what I was paid back then!
“Now, I make more money as a TV host, but I don’t make as much as Gary Lineker!”
Since 2004, Kjeldbjerg has hosted Robinson Ekspeditionen, the Danish version of Survivor.
“It’s a fascinating show and the longest running reality TV show in the world.
“I’ve been working on it since 2004 and it’s been a fantastic trip. It’s by far the toughest show you can participate in.
“I’ve been lucky enough to do I’m a Celebrity…, but that’s a walk in the park compared to Robinson Ekspeditionen.
“We shoot in the Philippines for around 50 days a year. It’s a two-hour show, 27 contestants and three teams.
Robinson Ekspeditionen is one of Denmark’s top rated TV ShowsCredit: Robinson Ekspeditionen
It is the Danish version of SurvivorCredit: Lotta Lemche
“It’s much harder to win the show than before when we had just 16 contestants.
“We try and prepare these contestants for the worst, psychology tests and the rest. But they always get a shock.”
Like Simon Cowell, Kjeldbjerg has developed a reputation as a tough customer. And he’s been very much part of the show’s most controversial moments.
“We had some crazy gimics from 2007-2011, including a Guantanamo concept where I asked the contestants to run around naked.
“I have this profile that I can be a tough guy, so they did it! But now we’ve gone back to basics and it’s still rating extremely well.”
He added: “Robinson Ekspeditionen is under my skin, it’s been life-changing for me.”
Kjeldbjerg admitted he would love to give British TV a shot.
He said: “I could see myself working on British TV, that would definitely be a great challenge.
“I am a character doing what I do, so who knows? If my company here would allow me to, I’d love to do a stint in the UK.
“I could take over from Ant! But in truth, they were both much better than me at hosting I’m a Celeb…”
Kjeldbjerg with wife ChristineCredit: Instagram @jakobkjeldbjerg
Kjeldbjerg admitted his new life has come with challengesCredit: Instagram @jakobkjeldbjerg
Presenting Denmark’s most popular reality TV show has meant that Kjeldbjerg’s fame has hit new heights.
He confessed that it’s not something he’s totally comfortable with.
“I like my privacy, but when I walk in Copenhagen I’m often approached by fans because it’s a high-profile TV show.
“Families recognise me from Robinson Ekspeditionen and guys remember me from my football days. It’s not something I ever dreamed about, but it’s part of the deal.”
Kjeldbjerg was signed by the Blues for £485,000, just a year after winning the Danish under-21 Player of the Year. He remembers his time in West London fondly.
“I did have some great times at Chelsea. I have so much respect for Glenn Hoddle, what he did and what he wanted to do.
“He was the man who started that revolution, if you like, of Chelsea wanting to play football and I was a part of that.
“I don’t know how much credit he gets today, but without him Gullit would never have been there or Vialli or even Gianfranco Zola.
“I remember when we lost that FA Cup final against Manchester United 4-0, we were still celebrated with an open top bus going down King’s Road.
“I sometimes wonder what would’ve happened if I didn’t get injured, but I’m not so sure I would’ve been in the starting eleven.
“Marcel Desailly was signed just a few years later, so I may not have played much. But I do treasure those moments I had with Chelsea.”
Kjeldbjerg listed Gullit as the greatest player he’s ever played alongside.
Kjeldbjerg starred for Chelsea in an FA Cup finalCredit: Getty – Contributor
He named Ruud Gullit as the best player he played withCredit: Instagram @jakobkjeldbjerg
Without hesitation, he told us: “Ruud Gullit (was the best) for his physical presence and what I call positive arrogance.
“He was a funny guy, took the dressing room under his wing and was a leader. Ruud was so strong physically and skill-wise. I played with Brian and Michael Laudrup, but Gullit was outstanding.
“(Zlatan) Ibrahimovic reminds me of him in terms of his character – that charm and arrogance. I loved it. He was a fantastic character.”
And Kjeldbjerg also speaks fondly of another Chelsea great – John Terry – who was responsible for cleaning his boots.
“I would love to have played alongside John Terry. He was one of the boot boys when I was there with Jody Morris.
“They were wonderful kids. John was quite shy, but a lovely guy. No chip on his shoulder, he did his job.
“I remember at the time wondering if he had the hard work required to really break through. But he was a real true leader of that football club for many years.”
Because of his TV commitments, Kjeldbjerg rarely gets a chance to visit Stamford Bridge. But he watches all their games and was impressed with Maurizio Sarri’s approach.
He said: “I’ve watched their first few matches, and I don’t think they’ll win the Premier League this year.
“Their attacking football against Arsenal was sensational, but defensively there needs to be some adjustment and improvement.
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“I’m already a little bit in love with Sarri because of the way he stands there with his tracksuit bottoms and polo shirt.
“He has a great approach to everything and he’s definitely got a plan. It’s clearly his way or the highway.”
Kjeldbjerg is recognised more for his TV work than for footballCredit: Instagram @jakobkjeldbjerg More
