I'm a Celeb: Richard Madeley's advice to Naughty Boy
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Naughty Boy previously opened up about the tragic reason behind having to pull out of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! last year. He admitted that while he was “gutted”, it just didn’t seem like the right time to leave his mother, who is battling dementia.
The performer, whose real name is Shahid Khan, lives with his mum, who he said he would struggle to leave during lockdown to film the show.
“I was gutted I wasn’t able to do the show last year,” he said.
“We were in and out of lockdown and, with so much anxiety, it just didn’t feel like the right time.
“I’m hoping there is someone in the castle that has had some kind of experience with someone in their family or grandparents with dementia, and that would be a great conversation to have because there’s so much to learn,” he continued.
“I don’t know everything, I’m learning as I go.
“I think that’d be a good conversation for us to have and for the viewers to watch because no-one’s going to expect me to go in and talk about [it],” he said in an interview with The Mirror.
In 2020, eventual runner-up Jordan North was a last-minute replacement for Naughty Boy, coming second to Mummy vlogger Giovanna Fletcher.
Since entering the I’m A Celeb castle, Naughty Boy has been struggling, even threatening to quit the show.
The music legend is currently locked in the Castle Clink alongside Richard Madeley, David Ginola, Danny Miller and Dame Arlene Phillips, who are all living on basic rations while being separated from the main camp.
After being chosen by main camp to represent The Clink in the latest trial Treacherous Traps, he unfortunately lost to Radio 1 DJ Snoochie Shy.
When asked why he thought he’d been chosen, he said: “Maybe they think I’m the weakest.”
He later surprised his teammates by telling them he didn’t want to join the main camp after everything they’d put him through, saying: “I do think my time here is done. I had a feeling earlier and I was thinking about mum and obviously I love you guys.
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“I don’t think after knowing what the Main Camp probably knew what they were putting me through knowing I did the challenge earlier – I don’t know if I could ever join that camp. I can’t continue and my heart’s not in anymore, I’m led by my heart.”
The DJ sparked backlash by blaming his decision to leave on Main Camp, saying: “This isn’t a random big decision. I’ve tried my best both times today. I just can’t go from here into that main camp… I can’t fake that.
“I’m sorry. One thing I’ll tell you before you guys go into the main camp, as much as they say they love us, they love you… there is no love.
“When you guys go to the main camp, they’re the reason why I left.”
Following an outcry on social media, Twitter user @DanRavenscroft9 wrote in Naughty Boy’s defence: “I’ve got to be honest, I’m not comfortable with the reaction to Naughty Boy on here.
“To me, it appears like he has some deep rooted issues with himself and may not be mentally prepared to deal with the show and the failure.
“In a world where so many say to ‘be kind’ and so much focus on mental health and changing the stigma around men and depression/anxiety, the reaction and comments towards Naughty Boy are disappointing to say the least.”
Naughty Boy’s family also spoke out on the issue, responding to the tweet: “This! If only everyone knew what he’s battling on the outside world. His mum (my nan) is battling dementia and he has been taking care of her for the last 5 years.
“This is the first time he has left her to do something life-changing! He is just overwhelmed and he will be fine.”
I’m A Celebrity continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.
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