I'm a Celebrity's Oti Mabuse and Danny Jones share emotional chat on mental health

The ITV show's campmates have been supporting each other as they open up on tough moments from their lives.

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Danny Open Up - Danny Jones
'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' TV show, Series 24, Australia - 20 Nov 2024
Danny Jones opened up on his mental health. (ITV/Shutterstock)

I'm a Celebrity's Oti Mabuse and Danny Jones shared an emotional chat about mental health as they opened up on some of the toughest moments from their lives.

McFly singer Danny Jones has been keeping camp spirits up since the series launched on Sunday, but surprised his co-stars in a campgfire chat in Wednesday's episode as he broke down in tears while sharing his struggles with anxiety.

It prompted former Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse to tell the camp about her brother's death from suicide as a teenager as she praised Jones for being able to talk about his feelings.

Jones had told how he once suffered a panic attack during a live TV interview and as he became emotional, Mabuse told him: "I think it’s really good that you keep saying people must talk, especially young boys. I don’t think young boys tend to talk that much and the suicide rate is so high in young men especially, so I think it’s important that you keep telling people to talk about it.”

Oti Mabuse spoke about her brother. (ITV/Shutterstock)
Oti Mabuse spoke about her brother. (ITV/Shutterstock)

Sharing that she had lost her own brother to suicide when he was 16, she added: "I think if he had spoken to someone about what he was feeling, it would’ve been a different turnout.”

Mabuse added: “Especially in our culture, we don’t really open up...Every year we celebrate his birthday, but it’s the people that are still left with the aftermath that feel it every single day and you have to go out in the world and be strong and happy and bubbly and positive, but it’s tough. So if you don’t talk about it, no matter how frustrating it is and if you don’t get those feelings out, if you don’t seek the help, it’s hurtful for you, as well as the people around you that love you.”

Tulisa hugged her and said: “I think you’re amazing at that Oti, you go out everyday, your energy is so positive and so light. That’s like your superpower.”

For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org

At the end of Wednesday's episode, Ant and Dec confirmed that Reverend Richard Coles and Maura Higgins will enter the camp in tomorrow night's episode, although the rest of the celebrities don't yet know that.

Late arrivals generally tend to shake up the dynamic in camp, so viewers will be keen to see whether they are welcomed or left out in the cold by the rest of the group.

Elsewhere, the two most squeamish campmates teamed up for a double Bushtucker Trial in tonight's episode, where they were plunged into watery tanks with jungle creatures.

Podcaster Barry and BBC Radio 1 presenter McCullough have so far proved themselves to be the biggest panickers in camp this year and have frequently been nominated for trials since Sunday's series launch.

The Drown in the Dumps trial saw both campmates panic again, and despite a valiant effort to unlock stars underwater, they came away very disappointed with zero stars.

For McCullough, the news got even worse as Ant and Dec later told him that the public had also voted for him to do the next trial, Lethal Lab.

Tulisa Contostavlos - I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here 2024. (ITV)
Tulisa spoke to Oti Mabuse about her difficulties in recent years. (ITV)

It's been a tough time for Tulisa since she was at the peak of her N-Dubz and X Factor judging fame, including a tabloid sting that went to court. The singer opened up to new pal Oti Mabuse about what happened.

As she shared that her birthday is 13 July, Tulisa told the former Strictly dancer: "13 is like my spirit number, a lot of things happen to me, either on the 13th or the year 2013. 2013 was the year I was set up by a British newspaper, for concern in the selling of class A drugs."

Recalling how she had been tempted into meetings with what she had been told were movie producers, she said she was encouraged to play the role of a bad girl in the meetings that were being filmed.

She added of the sting: "I lost all my endorsements… my life fell apart."

However, it was eventually the trial that fell apart thanks to a conversation Tulisa had had with a driver about being staunchly anti-drugs.

Mabuse said: "I feel really sorry that she’s had to go through so much, you can see that there’s a strength in her, there’s just an amazing woman, that every time you knock her down, she’s going to come back fighting."

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  • Who is Reverend Richard Coles?

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    Reverend Richard Coles will arrive in Thursday's episode. (ITV)

    Coles first found fame as a pop star in the 80s, playing saxophone in Bronski Beat. He and Jimmy Somerville both left the group in 1985 to form the Communards, scoring a number one with their biggest hit Don't Leave Me This Way in 1986.

    After his pop career came to an end, Coles retrained in theology and entered the priesthood. He had a long career as a vicar but eventually retired from his role in 2022, saying that he was finding it difficult to balance his media work with his parish duties.

    In recent years, Coles has pivoted again into a new career as an author, releasing three murder mystery novels.

    Coles has also spoken out about the heartbreak of his partner David dying in 2019 as a result of alcoholism. He is now in a relationship with actor Richard Cant.

    After arriving in Australia, he said he thought he was uniquely prepared for life in camp: "I lived in the monastery for two years, so I know what it's like to be locked in with people you don't choose to be with. So I've got some resilience."

    Read more about Reverend Richard Coles here.

  • The late arrivals are here...

    Just as we end Wednesday's visit to the jungle, Ant and Dec tell viewers that two new arrivals are making their way into camp in tomorrow night's episode - Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles.

    However, the rest of camp haven't heard the news yet, so it'll be interesting to see how the group dynamic shifts when they make their big entrance.

  • Dean is up for the trial again

    Poor Dean! He's the campmate voted into the next Bushtucker Trial, Lethal Lab, and he doesn't look happy about it.

    This time, GK has managed to avoid being chosen by the viewers, but Dean will be trying to win meals for camp again in the latest challenge.

    As Ant and Dec go into camp to announce the news live, he looks shocked and asks: "What is going on?" as his campmates try to console him by saying: "They like you!"

  • Danny and Oti's emotional chat on mental health

    The campmates are definitely getting more comfortable in opening up to each other, and this year's celebs all seem really supportive of each other.

    Danny surprises his new pals by breaking down in tears as he tells them about his struggles with anxiety and reveals he once had a panic attack during a live TV interview.

    Oti praises him for his honesty and reveals her own heartbreaking family tragedy - the death of her brother from suicide when he was 16.

    She says: “I think if he had spoken to someone about what he was feeling, it would’ve been a different turnout. Especially in our culture, we don’t really open up.

    "Every year we celebrate his birthday, but it’s the people that are still left with the aftermath that feel it every single day and you have to go out in the world and be strong and happy and bubbly and positive, but it’s tough. So if you don’t talk about it, no matter how frustrating it is and if you don’t get those feelings out, if you don’t seek the help, it’s hurtful for you, as well as the people around you that love you.”

    Tulisa hugs her and says: “I think you’re amazing at that Oti, you go out everyday, your energy is so positive and so light. That’s like your superpower.”

    For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org

  • Melvin Odoom brushes up his chat up lines for Carol Vorderman

    Melvin Odoom - I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here 2024. (ITV)
    Melvin Odoom is a huge Carol Vorderman fan. (ITV)

    Last night, we saw Melvin open up on his love for Carol Vorderman as a cushion bearing an image of his crush arrived in camp as his luxury item.

    Tonight, he's been telling his campmates how he was too shy to speak to her at the recent Pride of Britain Awards that she presents, so camp big sister Tulisa has stepped in to help him.

    She says: "Melvin, a strong woman like that is gonna appreciate you going: 'I just wanna say I think you're a sensational woman and I'd love to take you out for a drink and get to know you if you'd be happy to oblige me.’"

    Suggesting they should do a bit of role play, Tulisa takes on the role of Carol, while Melvin plays himself.

    He asks: "Hello Carol, great work on Pride of Britain. Are you free on Saturday? You look sensational today, you're actually glowing, has anyone ever said that?"

    Perfecting his charm, he adds: "Listen, I've booked a restaurant for next week, it's gonna be Thai food all expenses paid, I'm gonna send the cab to your house for about 8pm, I'll see you there."

  • Tulisa opens up on tabloid sting

    It's been a tough time for Tulisa since she was at the peak of her N-Dubz and X Factor judging fame, including a tabloid sting that went to court. The singer is opening up to new pal Oti about what happened.

    As she shares that her birthday is 13 July, Tulisa tells the former Strictly dancer: "13 is like my spirit number, a lot of things happen to me, either on the 13th or the year 2013. 2013 was the year I was set up by a British newspaper, for concern in the selling of class A drugs."

    Recalling how she had been tempted into meetings with what she had been told were movie producers, she says she was encouraged to play the role of a bad girl in the meetings that were being filmed.

    She adds of the sting: "I lost all my endorsements… my life fell apart."

    However, it was eventually the trial that fell apart thanks to a conversation Tulisa had had with a driver about being staunchly anti-drugs.

    Oti says: "I feel really sorry that she’s had to go through so much, you can see that there’s a strength in her, there’s just an amazing woman, that every time you knock her down, she’s going to come back fighting."

  • Lethal Lab vote is open

    Out of one trial, and straight into another as Ant and Dec unveil the next Bushtucker Trial.

    This one is titled Lethal Lab and the vote is now open for which campmate you want to see take part.

    We're guessing GK and Dean could be popular choices again

  • It's Drown in the Dumps disaster for GK and Dean

    GK Barry has already noticed the I'm a Celeb bosses aren't messing around when it comes to the trials this year, and Drown in the Dumps is no exception.

    She and Dean are immediately blasted with showers as Dean cries and shouts looking for a key in a box of lizards.

    But unfortunately, GK Barry is in tears too as he tries to pass the key to her, because she's realised they are sharing the tank with one of her biggest horrors - snakes.

    Hurrah for GK! She manages to conquer her fears and duck underwater to try to retrieve the stars, while Dean fights his urge to run from a very large snake.

    They haven't triumphed yet, though, as GK can't control her fears for long enough to unlock any of the stars. Dean sums up the situation by explaining: "When I put my hand in the box, I scream, then she screams. It's a vicious circle."

    The pair look gutted back on dry land after getting a total of zero stars as GK wasn't able to find the lock that matched any of the keys Dean passed her.

    Luckily, their campmates are understanding as Danny says: "If I was to find a positive, it's that Delvin's Diner has a really simple cook tonight."

  • Drown in the Dumps gets underway

    GK Barry kicked things off by labelling herself and Dean McCullough "tweedle dum and tweedle dee", but will they surprise themselves in the trial?

    Both look horrified as they are told they will be underwater in tanks that will also include some jungle critters as they try to collect stars.

    Ant acknowledges that Dean won't want to say "I'm a celebrity get me out of here" again, as the DJ admits his last trial will have damaged his "street cred".

    Ahead of the first ad break, they're in the tanks, and the screaming has already started

  • Jungle camp is a wash out

    If the celebs thought they were in for a nice sunny winter Down Under, reality must have hit hard this week as the rain has soaked them every day so far.

    So much so, in fact, that most of the campmates haven't been bothering to shower and go through the ordeal of getting into and out of their clothes.

    Oti Mabuse told viewers: "It’s so cold and it’s so rainy that people are not showering and we are all stinking up that camp right now, it’s disgusting and I smell horrendous!"

    However, Coleen Rooney seems to have higher hygiene standards than her co-stars as she said: "I am the only one in camp that showers."

    McFly's Danny Jones took things one step further in the disgustingness stakes as he admitted: "I've not changed my boxers that I had a snake on." Which was...at least three days ago?

  • When is I'm a Celebrity on?

    It is back every night at 9pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX.

    Its spin off show I’m a Celebrity…Unpacked airs live on ITV2 every night directly after the ITV1 show.

    You can also stream it anytime on ITVX or catch the ITV1 daytime repeat which airs the following day.

  • What happened to Dean McCullough in his last trial?

    Dean McCullough is back for another trial. (ITV)
    Dean McCullough is back for another trial. (ITV)

    If you need a reminder of what happened to Dean McCullough in his last trial, he panicked and gave in to ending it early by shouting "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here!".

    He was locked in a sarcophagus while hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly asked him Egyptian trivia questions to earn stars and meals for camp. McCullough was worried about being locked into the upright tomb, and about his general knowledge about Egypt.

    McCullough, 32, admitted he had claustrophobia and was dreading the trial. He managed to answer two questions while his head chamber was filled with live meal worms and crickets.

    But when his legs were buried in sand, trapping him the sarcophagus he broke down in tears and shouted "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here." He was helped out of the box shaking by Ant and Dec, while they teased him by asking him all the questions he would have had to answer, revealing he knew most of the answers.

    Let's see if he fares better tonight

  • Who is GK Barry?

    GK Barry - I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here 2024. (ITV)
    GK Barry - I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here 2024. (ITV)

    Only 25 years old, GK Barry has built a career in the spotlight after rocketing to fame on TikTok by documenting her daily life as a student at Nottingham Trent University.

    The star has branched out from social media as she also appears on ITV daytime chat show Loose Women as a guest panellist since this summer in August, and now looks to be adding reality television to her showbiz CV.

    As a rising name in the showbiz industry, GK Barry had also been tipped to star on Strictly Come Dancing this year — although the scheduling of the show clashes with I'm a Celebrity which is filmed in Australia with Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly at the helm.

    Professionally she has become known as GK Barry but her real name is Grace Eleanor Keeling. She made history as the youngest ever panellist on Loose Women earlier this year, and has 498,000 subscribers on YouTube, 852,000 followers on Instagram, and 3.6 million on TikTok. The social media star is also an ambassador for Ann Summers and PrettyLittleThing.

    The influencer is in a relationship with England footballer Ella Rutherford and she told the Loose Women panel that they moved in after the first date.

    She's perhaps best known for her Saving Grace podcast that is billed as a "rollercoaster of emotions" and her own "wild tales of university escapades to laugh-out-loud moments". As well as talking about her own life, she interviews celebrity guests including Alan Carr who made a recent appearance.

    Read more about GK Barry here.

  • GK Barry and Dean McCullough face the Drown in the Dumps Bushtucker trials

    Another day in the jungle means another Bushtucker Trial for GK Barry and Dean McCullough, but in tonight's episode they'll be joining forces to try to win some stars - and meals - for camp.

    The latest horrifying trial is titled Drown in the Dumps and will see the campmates submerged in tanks of water as they try to unlock stars. However, we're guessing they won't be the only ones in the tanks.

    Going on past performances, we're expecting a scream-filled challenge - here's a taster of what's to come tonight.

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here streams on ITVX.