I’m A Celeb star Tony Bellew’s wife Rachael reveals heartbreaking reason the boxer entered the jungle
I’m A Celeb star Tony Bellew’s wife Rachael has revealed the boxer joined the ITV show to honour his grandmother – who sadly passed away the day after he agreed to enter the jungle.
Tony’s beloved grandparent Rose, who was a ‘second mum’ to the star, died aged 97 with wife Rachael saying he will no doubt be ‘thinking about her every day’ in the jungle.
Speaking about the impact of the death on her husband, 41, who she calls Ant, Rachel told The Mirror: ‘Rose would be so, so proud of Ant. She passed away a few days before he went in so that was obviously very difficult for him’.
‘She was like a second mum to Ant – he absolutely idolised her. He called her the “boss of the family”‘.
Adding: ‘He is doing this for her and I know he will be thinking of her every day while he’s in there’.
I’m A Celeb star Tony Bellew’s wife Rachael has revealed the boxer joined the ITV show to honour his grandmother – who sadly passed away the day after he agreed to enter the jungle
Rachael, who wed the boxer in 2018 and with whom she shares four sons, made a surprise entrance to camp where she comforted her emotional husband (pictured)
Tony’s beloved grandparent Rose, who was a ‘second mum’ to the star, died aged 97 with wife Rachael saying he will no doubt be ‘thinking about her every day’ in the jungle
Tony will fly back to the UK following his jungle stint in time for the funeral.
Rachael, who wed the boxer in 2018 and with whom she shares three sons, made a surprise entrance to camp where she comforted her emotional husband.
Speaking following Rose’s death Tony said: ‘If I couldn’t have changed the funeral date I would have renegade. But I’m here now. She was in a home and told my mum: ‘I’ll be able to watch every night’. But I’m sure she’ll be watching wherever she is, whatever she’s doing.’
He also acknowledged he did have some regrets about making the journey to Australia so soon losing his loved one.
He said: ‘I signed it the day before she passed away so there’s no going back now. I signed it and I honoured my agreement. In an ideal world, I would have left it but I signed the day before my nan passed away. I’m going to bury her on the 15th.
‘I was going to renegade if I couldn’t have moved the burial. She was in a home and she told me mum: ‘I’ll be able to watch that every night.’ She’ll be watching from wherever she is or whatever she’s doing.
‘She was a diamond of an old lady, she was wonderful. I come from a single-parent’s household. My dad left when I was 10.
‘So when you come from where I come from your nan helps around because your mother has to work.’
Speaking about the impact of the death on her husband, who she calls Ant, Rachel said: Rose would be so, so proud of Ant. She passed away a few days before he went in so that was obviously very difficult for him’.
Rachael, who wed the boxer in 2018 and with whom she shares four sons, made a surprise entrance to camp where she comforted her emotional husband (pictured)
She said: ‘[Rose] was like a second mum to Ant – he absolutely idolised her. He called her the “boss of the family”‘
‘So your nan was your second mum. So yeah, she was a lovely woman and had a heart of gold. She’ll be missed by all of us.’
Tony was surprised by his wife’s arrival and she shared her excitement ahead of seeing him as she said it was the longest time they had been apart without any contact.
Upon their reunion, Rachael told Tony how their three children Corey, Cobey and Carter all miss him and are ‘dead proud’ of him.
Tony said of reuniting with his wife: ‘This will stick with me more than any moment I’ve had in the jungle.’
The lovebirds first met each other at the age of nine, according to The Sun.
Although, the two did grow up together in Merseyside, they didn’t meet again until they were 18-years-old.
Bellew pursued Rachael when he nightclub bouncer, and was rejected by his future wife a total of three times.
Tony married Rachel in 2018, with the pair first meeting when they were only nine years old (pictured in 2017)
Family man: Rachael and Tony share three boys together. (Pictured: Tony Bellew, Rachael Roberts and their children attend the European Premiere of Creed III in 2023
Eventually, they decided to go on a first date to a cinema, with Rachael warning the pro boxer that if he was not a perfect gentleman he would have ruined his only chance, The Sun reports.
Rachael loyally stayed by his side ever since their first date at the cinema, through his stint as an amateur fighter – when he would only take home £100 a fight – before he turned professional in 2007.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! continues Saturday at 9.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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
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.
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