I'm A Celeb's Tony admits he wanted to leave jungle after surprise 'broke' him

11 December 2023 , 09:22

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I'm A Celeb's Tony admits he wanted to leave jungle after surprise 'broke' him

Tony Bellew appeared on Monday's Good Morning Britain after he finished I'm A Celebrity in second place.

During Sunday's episode of I'm A Celeb, Sam Thompson was crowned the winner of the latest series of the gruelling challenge show, after a total of 12 celebrities headed into the Australian jungle to rough it for three weeks, beating Nigel Farage and Tony, 41. Tony heaped praise on his co-star after his win, with Sam himself close to tears.

Sam, 31, and Tony formed a sweet bond in camp with the Made In Chelsea star and former professional boxer taking on a father-son type relationship. Tony joked Sam was his fifth child and even said he could join him for Christmas.

Speaking on Monday's Good Morning Britain, Tony spoke about his close bond with Sam and also admitted that at one point in the competition he wanted to leave the jungle but was instead encouraged by his wife Rachael and four sons Corey, 18, Cobey, 15, Carter, 11, and Carson, three.

Tony Bellew appeared on Monday's Good Morning Britain after he finished I'm A Celebrity in second place (ITV)

On Friday's episode, the remaining celebrities in the jungle were surprised by their loved ones and Tony's wife Rachael was waiting to see him in the camp. Emotional Tony said at the time: "This will stick with me more than any moment I’ve had in the jungle."

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Talking about the moment on Monday's Good Morning Britain, Tony said: "When Rachael appeared in the jungle, it took me by complete surprise. It just broke me for a good 10 minutes, I can't explain. I wanted to just walk out and leave with her, I'm not going to lie.

"It was only her telling me: 'You can't just walk out!' if I would have walked out, it would have been such a disappointment because my kids would have seen their dad quit, and I've never quit anything in my life.

Tony was surprised by his wife Rachael in the jungle (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"She said you've got a goal and they want to see you go all the way. So I was like: 'Okay, I'm staying!' It broke me heart having to leave her again, I can't put into words, It is hard to explain to people how hard it was in there at times, but we got through it."

Talking about Sam, Tony said: "Sam is unique, he is like a unicorn, I have never met anyone like him in my life. He is such a kind and caring nature and he never gets down or sees bad in anything. There is so much negativity in the world and we feel it but Sam doesn't.

"I only wish I could feel like Sam 24 hours a day. But when I am with him I do feel like Sam because you only have to look at him and it is smiles and laughter." On Sam's rising career, he added: "I want him to chill out because Sam is coming into a whole new world. I want him to keep the energy he has got, I will always be there for him, he has got a friend for life. Sam was brilliant and exceptional and I knew he was a winner within a few days of meeting him."

I’m A Celebrity 2023 is available to watch on ITVX. *Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Olivia Wheeler