I’m A Celebrity’s Tony Bellew left fans in tears as he revealed his secret family heartbreak ahead of jetting to Australia on Monday’s Good Morning Britain.
The former boxer, 41, came second in Sunday night’s final where Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson was crowned King Of The Jungle.
In his first chat since leaving the camp Tony appeared on GMB where he told he was ‘going through a lot’ before entering the Jungle when he lost his ‘beautiful nan’.
Tony told hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls: ‘In the camp you have good days and bad days and lonely days, I was going through a little bit before I went in there in my personal life.
‘I lost my nan, my beautiful nan. On top of that I missed my son’s birthday which I promised him after I retired I’d never do that again, and I did so there was so much going on.’
I’m A Celebrity ‘s Tony Bellew left fans in tears as he revealed his secret family heartbreak ahead of jetting to Australia on Monday’s Good Morning Britain
In his first chat since leaving the camp Tony appeared on GMB where he told he was ‘going through a lot’ before entering the Jungle when he lost his ‘beautiful nan’
Fans of the show were in ‘tears’ following his TV appearance as one wrote on Twitter: ‘Bloody hell this interview with Tony has me in tears.’
A second said: ‘I never knew tony until he went in the jungle. He’s a down to earth lad.’
He also told how he went on the show after being persuaded by a friend as he added: ‘The persona of me is I’m a maniac who punches people in the face.
‘The truth is I’m a normal person, the only difference is I used to punch people in the face for a living, that’s gone, it’s been five years since that.’
Tony added of his perseverance in the Jungle: ‘I will never quit no matter how hard it gets, and I’m not going to lie it gets hard in there.’
It was previously revealed that Tony found out his beloved nan, Rose, died the day before he signed up for the ITV reality show in Australia.
He said he only committed to flying out to Australia once he confirmed he could be home in time for her funeral.
Paying tribute, he told The Liverpool Echo: ‘She was in a home. And she told my mum ‘I’ll be able to watch that [I’m A Celeb] every night’.
Tony told hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls: ‘In the camp you have good days and bad days and lonely days, I was going through a little bit before I went in there in my personal life’
Fans of the show were in ‘tears’ following his TV appearance as one wrote on Twitter : ‘Bloody hell this interview with Tony has me in tears’
He said: ‘I lost my nan, my beautiful nan. On top of that I missed my son’s birthday which I promised him after I retired I’d never do that again, and I did so there was so much going on’
It was previously revealed that Tony found out his beloved nan, Rose, died the day before he signed up for the ITV reality show in Australia
Speaking about her death on Instagram at the time he shared snaps with her and penned: ‘Goodnight Nan! I’ll love you forever girl’
‘So yeah, it is what it is. She’ll be watching, you know, from wherever she is and whatever she’s doing. She was a diamond of an old lady. She was wonderful.’
Speaking about her death on Instagram at the time he shared snaps with her and penned: ‘Goodnight Nan! I’ll love you forever girl. An amazing mother to me Mum in what I can only imagine was a difficult time.
‘You carried me and my 3 brothers like we was yours! I can’t lie it was like having 2 Mums! You always put us straight and told us off! You was the boss of our house… 97 years old! You was a lady and a boss right to the end… I love you Nan.’
It came after Tony Bellew enjoyed a sweet reunion with his family after finishing in second place in Sunday night’s finale.
The champion boxer was given a hero’s welcome at the Marriott Gold Coast Resort as he arrived with his wife Rachael, 40, and their children Corey, 18, Cobey, 15, Carter, 11, and Carson, three.
Carrying his youngest son in his arms, Tony looked overwhelmed as he made his way inside, where the rest of the year’s cast were waiting.
Still dressed in his jungle outfit, Tony held on tight to Carson, who along with his brothers was given permission to be absent from school in Liverpool to fly out to Australia to greet their dad.
Sunday night’s final saw Tony’s close friend Thompson beat him to the King of the Jungle title, with Nigel Farage finishing in third place.
He said he only committed to flying out to Australia once he confirmed he could be home in time for her funeral
The former boxer, 41, came second in Sunday night’s final where Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson was crowned King Of The Jungle
I’m A Celebrity 2023: Meet the campmates
NIGEL FARAGE
Claim to fame: Former leader of the UK Independence Party and leader of the Brexit Party.
Phobias: Nobody likes rats, snakes and I am dreading anything to do with heights.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel?: I have been demonised over the years and so it will be nice to show people I am not nasty.
Role in camp: Lead on starting up plenty of campfire discussions.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp?: A pint in the pub and the news.
Best & worst attributes: I hope to cheer people up when they are down. Worst? I am impatient and I do snore.
Dream camper: As a controversial political media figure, I never name names… But I am looking forward to meeting interesting people from all different fields
DANIELLE HAROLD – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: EastEnders actress.
Phobias: Rats. I hate them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I can be a little ditzy at times but I am definitely not a ‘dumb blonde’. I want to show I can do the trials, challenges and get stuck in.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on, help others if they are feeling low in camp.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Snacking. I am a little muncher and I am going to miss my morning cup of tea, too!
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I will be good if people are really struggling. I am not, however, very good at being bored, nor am I a morning person either.
Dream camper: Ed Sheeran. If he brings his guitar into camp, he can sing for us.
FRED SIRIEIX – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: First Dates star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything. I am dying to find out how vile the food will be!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I don’t think there is anything but I am looking forward to learning more about myself during my time in the camp.
Role in camp: I will definitely muck in with all the jobs. I don’t mind cooking or cleaning the toilets.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My bed. It’s super comfy. I will also miss a cup of coffee in the morning.
Best & worst attributes: I like to have fun but I do snore and I am impatient!
Dream camper: It’s going to be nice to meet everyone but I’d love to see Dolly Parton, The Rock or Snoop Dog in there.
NELLA ROSE – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: YouTuber and Catfish UK star.
Phobias: I am fearful of everything!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle? I am a pretty open book.
Role in camp: Keep the morale and humour high.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My phone… I am always on it!
Dream camper: Alison Hammond or Adele.
NICK PICKARD – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: Hollyoaks star.
Phobias: I am a bit scared of the dark. When you go to the House of Horrors at Halloween and things jump out at you, I am not very good when I can’t see!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: It will be nice to go in as me and not as my Hollyoaks character.
Role in camp: Grafter or chef, I am quite good at cooking. But I’ve never cooked on a fire before. Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp: Football and my creature comforts.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am a nice person and a good team player. I am not lazy but I do have a few bad habits like picking my nose. My girlfriend has been trying to train me to stop!
Dream camper: Sir Alex Ferguson or Neil Warnock.
FRANKIE DETTORI – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: Champion Jockey
Phobias: I am not sure as I don’t walk across rooftop planks in the middle of the day nor do I have any snakes or rats in the house!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: None. I’ve lived in the public domain for as long as I can remember so I’d hope everyone knows me well.
Role in camp: To have fun with everyone, I am a happy-go- lucky person.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? Travelling. I have spent my whole life at airports and I’ve got to like it!
Best & worst attributes: I am outgoing and I am a fighter. Worst? I can’t sit still and I am impatient.
Dream camper: Robbie Williams would be fun.
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS – WALKED!
Claim to fame: Zoey 101 and Sweet Magnolias star.
Phobias: I am scared of everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I think this is a nice chance to show who I really am.
Role in camp: Hopefully I will be the one who can support everyone.
Aside from family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? A normal bathroom, air conditioning and my bed.
Best & worst attributes: I think my best quality is it takes a lot to hurt my feelings; but I am impatient and my family would say I get in a bad mood a lot.
Dream camper: Nicole Kidman, she is my favourite actress in the whole wide world, or Reece Witherspoon.
SAM THOMPSON
Claim to fame: Made In Chelsea star and radio presenter.
Phobias: I am not a creepy crawly guy and I hate anyone or anything touching my neck.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: Since the age of 21, I’ve spent my whole life on TV and so I feel whether people have a good or bad opinion of me, it’s probably warranted!
Role in camp: I’m a ‘yes’ man so cooking, cleaning I will do whatever they want me to do.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: I know this sounds lame but gaming.
Best & worst attributes: I’d like to think I am the court jester and I don’t take things too seriously, so if anyone is having a bad day I would like to put a smile on their face. Worst? I am quite forgetful and I am bad at focusing on things.
Dream camper: Stephen Fry. I think I would self-combust if he was going in the jungle!
JOSIE GIBSON – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: This Morning presenter.
Phobias: Insects and I freeze every time I see a spider and I am not sure what I am going to do if I am in a trial with them!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle?: I would like people to know I am very clever at knowing useless information!
Role in camp: Mum. I am very motherly and I also love chatting to people.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: Getting up to blow dry my hair and putting a bit of make-up on!
Best & worst attributes: I am an optimist and I love meeting people from all walks of life. Worst? I can be quite nosey and I am worried about my temper if I am too hungry.
Dream camper: Dawn French, I love her.
MARVIN HUMES – VOTED OUT!
Claim to fame: JLS star.
Phobias: Heights. I have pulled out of a skydive with JLS in the past because I was too scared!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: To show I am not just a member of a boy band. It will be nice for people to learn more about me.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I will be a shoulder to cry on and a mediator.
Aside from family, what will you miss most whilst in camp?: My fantasy football app! I am obsessed with it! Four weeks without music is a long time, too.
Best & worst attributes: I’ve got three children under the age of ten and you definitely need a lot of patience for that! Worst? Rochelle would probably say I get ‘hangry’ if I don’t have enough food.
Dream camper: Paddy McGuinness – I’ve done Soccer Aid with him before and I know he’s funny, he gets stuck in and he is hands on.
GRACE DENT – WALKED!
Claim to fame: MasterChef star and food critic.
Phobias: Horrible people.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People think I am quite forthright and scary but I don’t think I am scary! Hopefully people will see this.
Role in camp: Shoulder to cry on and I am a practical cook so I can help out.
Aside from your family, what will you miss the most whilst in camp? My three cats and my make-up bag. I love a bit of glamour.
Best & worst attributes: I would like to think I am funny! My worst quality is lack of sleep. I like my sleep.
Dream camper: Queen Camilla. She would be very practical. And Madonna – she could perform tracks from her Greatest Hits tour!
TONY BELLEW
Claim to fame: Former champion boxer
Phobias: Like most normal people, I am scared of almost everything.
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the jungle: People will portray me as something I am not because of the profession I have had. I am just a normal person.
Role in camp: I’d like to think I am domesticated so hopefully I can help out.
Best & worst attributes: I do get hangry…who doesn’t! But I am easy going and I get on with everyone.
